Welcome to Clara's Recipes, where we celebrate the heartwarming tradition of Southern comfort food! Today, we're diving into a dish that evokes pure culinary bliss: perfectly crispy Country Fried Pork Chops smothered in a rich, smoky Bacon Gravy. This isn't just a meal; it's an experience, bringing together tender, juicy pork with a golden, seasoned crust and a velvety, flavorful gravy that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You'll Love This Country Fried Pork Chops Recipe

Our guide will walk you through every step to achieve that ideal balance of crispy exterior and succulent interior, all crowned with a gravy so good it deserves its own spotlight. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe is designed for success, turning simple ingredients into a masterpiece of homestyle cooking.

A Taste of Southern Comfort

The history of country fried pork chops is steeped in Southern tradition, a testament to transforming humble ingredients into extraordinary meals. It's a dish that speaks of family gatherings, Sunday dinners, and the comforting flavors that define home. We've honed this classic to bring you the best possible rendition, blending time-honored techniques with practical tips for today's kitchen.

Essential Ingredients for Flavorful Perfection

Creating truly spectacular country fried pork chops and bacon gravy starts with quality ingredients. Here's what you'll need to gather:

• 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops (about 1/2-inch thick)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk (for egg wash)
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• Vegetable or canola oil (for frying, if needed)

Having a good quality chef's knife will make preparing your ingredients a breeze, especially when chopping bacon or trimming pork chops. For another delightful comfort recipe, you might enjoy our Cinnamon Swirl Zucchini Bread!

Step-by-Step Guide to Crispy Chops & Rich Gravy

Prepping Your Pork Chops

The foundation of a great country fried pork chop is proper preparation. Start by patting your pork chops thoroughly dry with paper towels; this helps the breading adhere better. For even cooking, you can place each chop between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness.

Mastering the Breading Technique

The secret to that irresistible crispy crust lies in the breading.

1. In a shallow dish, combine 3/4 cup of the all-purpose flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
2. In a second shallow dish, whisk the eggs with 2 tablespoons of milk.
3. Dredge each pork chop in the seasoned flour, ensuring it's fully coated. Shake off any excess.
4. Dip the floured chop into the egg wash, letting any excess drip back into the dish.
5. Return the chop to the seasoned flour for a second coating, pressing gently to make sure the flour sticks. Place on a wire rack while you bread the remaining chops.

Frying to Golden Perfection

Achieving a golden, crispy fry requires a bit of attention to detail, especially with oil temperature.

1. Step 1: In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet (cast iron works wonderfully), cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving the rendered fat in the pan. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
2. Step 2: If needed, add enough vegetable or canola oil to the bacon fat to reach about 1/2 inch depth. Heat the fat/oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 325-350°F (160-175°C).
3. Step 3: Carefully place 1-2 breaded pork chops into the hot oil, ensuring you don't overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 145°F).
4. Step 4: Transfer the fried chops to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil and keep them crispy. Repeat with remaining chops.

Crafting the Perfect Bacon Gravy

While your chops are resting, it's time to create the star of the show: the rich, smoky bacon gravy.

1. Step 1: Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-low. If there's more than 2 tablespoons of fat in the pan, drain some off. Add the unsalted butter to the remaining fat and melt.
2. Step 2: Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a light roux. This will cook out the raw flour taste.
3. Step 3: Gradually pour in the whole milk and chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent any lumps.
4. Step 4: Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, whisking occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency (5-7 minutes).
5. Step 5: Stir in the crumbled crispy bacon. Season the gravy with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions to Complete Your Meal

Country Fried Pork Chops with Bacon Gravy pair beautifully with classic Southern sides. Creamy mashed potatoes are a must-have, perfect for soaking up every drop of that savory gravy. Steamed green beans, flaky buttermilk biscuits, or a side of grits also make excellent accompaniments. For a lighter touch, a simple green salad can offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish. Enjoy this comforting meal with your loved ones!

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The Ultimate Country Fried Pork Chops with Bacon Gravy

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Omnivore

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Description

Crispy, golden-fried pork chops smothered in a rich, smoky bacon gravy, perfect for a comforting family meal.

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Ingredients

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4 bone-in or boneless pork chops (about 1/2-inch thick)
1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk (for egg wash)
6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Vegetable or canola oil (for frying, if needed)

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness if desired.
Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 3/4 cup flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne (if using), thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Step 3: In a second shallow dish, whisk eggs with 2 tablespoons milk.
Step 4: Dredge each chop thoroughly in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg wash, then return to the seasoned flour for a second coating, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 5: In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, reserving rendered fat in the pan. Crumble bacon and set aside.
Step 6: If needed, add enough vegetable or canola oil to the bacon fat to reach about 1/2 inch depth. Heat the fat/oil to 325-350F (160-175C) over medium-high heat.
Step 7: Carefully place 1-2 breaded pork chops into the hot oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 145F).
Step 8: Transfer fried chops to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining chops.
Step 9: Reduce heat under the skillet to medium-low. If there's more than 2 tablespoons of fat, drain some off. Add unsalted butter to the remaining fat and melt.
Step 10: Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, cooking for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a light roux.
Step 11: Gradually pour in the whole milk and chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent any lumps.
Step 12: Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, whisking occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency (5-7 minutes).
Step 13: Stir in the crumbled crispy bacon. Season the gravy with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
Step 14: Serve the crispy country fried pork chops immediately, smothered generously with the warm bacon gravy.

Notes

For extra heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the seasoned flour. Serve with mashed potatoes or grits for the ultimate comfort meal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying, Pan-frying
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 chop with gravy
• Calories: 650 kcal
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 120mg

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