Can You Use Chicken Oven Fry Coating on Pork Chops?

Crispy, golden brown oven-fried chicken is a delicious dinner staple that’s quick and easy to make The secret ingredient? Oven fry chicken coating mixes These seasoned breadcrumb coatings provide a foolproof crunchy crust when baked.

But chicken isn’t the only meat that can benefit from these coatings. You can also use oven fry mixes made for chicken to add flavor and crunch to pork chops.

What is Oven Fry Chicken Coating?

Oven fry chicken coating is a seasoned breadcrumb mixture formulated specifically to impart flavor and achieve a crispy fried texture when baked Popular brands like Shake ‘N Bake or store brands have blends with ingredients like

• Breadcrumbs or cornflake crumbs
• Spices and herbs like garlic powder, paprika, basil
• Salt, pepper, onion powder
• Parmesan cheese for added flavor
• Panko crumbs for extra crunch

The coatings come pre-mixed in a bag ready for dredging. They provide a quick shortcut to getting a fried crunchy crust without deep frying.

Can You Use It on Pork Chops?

The answer is yes! Chicken oven fry coating mixes can absolutely be used on pork chops.

The seasoned breading provides extra flavor and also forms a deliciously crispy crust when baked at a high heat, It’s an easy way to dress up a basic pork chop

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using oven fry on pork compared to chicken.

Difference in Texture

Chicken oven coating results in an ultra crunchy crust. On pork chops, the coating may end up slightly less crunchy.

This is because pork contains more fat and collagen than chicken. The higher fat content can make the coating softer and less crispy.

Still, oven fry on pork provides a tasty flavor and satisfying texture. Just don’t expect it to be quite as crunchy as on chicken.

Cook Thinner Pork Chops

Thinner cut pork chops will get crunchier than thick chops when using oven fry. The breading can crisp up better on thinner chops in the same cook time.

For best results, choose boneless pork chops around 1/2 inch thick and pound them to an even thickness. Thicker chops may end up with soft spots.

Follow Proper Technique

Getting the crust to adhere properly and become crispy requires following some key steps:

• Pat chops very dry before coating
• Use an adhesive like egg wash or melted butter
• Press coating on firmly so it sticks
• Bake at 400°F on a wire rack for even crisping

Don’t skip proper technique, or the coating may fall off or fail to get crispy. Careful prep is key for the best texture.

Cook Just Until Done

Don’t overbake pork chops coated in oven fry. They’ll end up dry and tough.

Cook until the crust is crispy and golden brown but the interior is still juicy at 145°F internal temp. Allowing them to overcook ruins both the coating and the meat.

Season Under the Coating

While oven fry coating provides flavor, you can make them even tastier by seasoning the raw chops before coating.

Try rubbing with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin or chili powder. The seasoning permeates the meat beneath the crunchy top layer.

Baked Oven Fry Pork Chop Recipes

Now that you know the basics, here are some tasty oven-baked recipes that use oven fry coating mixes made for chicken on juicy pork chops:

Crispy Parmesan Oven Fry Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup Parmesan oven fried chicken coating
• 4 (1⁄2 inch thick) boneless pork chops

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and coat with nonstick spray.
2. Season pork chops with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
3. Place flour in one shallow dish. Beat eggs in a second shallow dish. Add oven fry coating to a third dish.
4. Dredge chops in flour, dip in egg, then press into oven fry coating until fully coated on both sides.
5. Arrange on prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake 20-25 minutes until coating is browned and crispy and chops reach 145°F.

Ranch Oven Fried Pork Chops

Make your own ranch coating blend by combining:

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tsp onion powder

Follow the same steps to coat and bake the chops until crispy and cooked through. Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.

Spicy Oven Fried Pork Chops

Boost the heat by adding 1-2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the oven fry coating blend before dredging the chops. Serve with homemade coleslaw or ranch dressing to balance the spice.

Crunchy Cornflake Crusted Pork Chops

For an extra crunchy crust, use crushed cornflakes instead of plain breadcrumbs. The cornflakes get ultra crispy when baked. Follow the same coating and baking method.

Cooking Safety Tips

When handling raw pork, be sure to follow safe food handling practices:

• Wash hands and surfaces before and after working with raw pork chops
• Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meats separate from other ingredients
• Cook to a safe internal temperature of at least 145°F
• Refrigerate coated chops if not cooking immediately

The Verdict

While oven fry coatings made for chicken offer slightly different texture on pork chops, they still provide delicious results. The coatings add crunchy flavor that turns basic pork chops into a fun twist on a family favorite.

With proper prep and cooking technique, oven fry chicken coating can absolutely be used on pork chops for a quick and easy baked dinner. Just keep portion sizes in check and accompany with vegetable sides for a well-rounded meal.

So go ahead and grab that bag of leftover oven fry coating and use it on pork chops tonight! Your taste buds will thank you for this simple trick to add flavor and texture without deep frying.