Blackened Pork Bites are blackened seasoned pork cooked with garlic, lemon, and chicken broth, paired with asparagus. It is not only delicious, but you get your protein and vegetables made in under 30 minutes in one skillet for easy preparation and cleanup! If you love pork, I also have Garlic Pork Bites you may want to try, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Pork: Look for boneless pork chops to cut into 1-inch (or bite-sized) pieces. Try to cut them into pieces that are similar in size for even cooking. Pork is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Blackened Seasoning: For the most flavor, make your own blackened seasoning. Making your own seasonings not only saves you money, but you can customize them to your liking. Make the blackened seasoning as spicy as you can handle if you want to!
- Sauce: The sauce for the pork bites is made up of unsalted butter, garlic, chicken broth, and lemon juice. It pairs deliciously with both the pork and the asparagus.
- Asparagus: When choosing asparagus, pick bright green asparagus with tightly closed tips and firm stalks that snap easily. Make sure the ends are moist and the stalks are similar in thickness. If using frozen asparagus, I recommend thawing and draining it before adding it to the skillet.
- Red Pepper Flakes: I love the little bit of heat that the red pepper flakes (crushed red pepper) add to the dish. Of course, you could certainly leave those off; the dish will still be flavorful and delicious!
Customize Pork Bites With Your Favorite Vegetables
If you don’t want to use asparagus but still want a vegetable with this dish, it’s easy to substitute your favorite. Try the pork bites skillet with green beans, broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, or your vegetable of choice. Just adjust the cooking time as needed. Or, simply leave out the vegetables and enjoy the pork bites with the sauce on their own.
What To Serve With Blackened Pork Bites
Although blackened pork bites with asparagus give you both the protein and a vegetable, it goes well with a few side dishes, too. To round out the meal, try one of these options:
- Rice, Quinoa, Couscous, or Mashed potatoes (I also have cauliflower mashed if preferred.)
- Roasted Carrots (Check out my air fryer carrots, too!)
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Shredded Brussels Sprouts
- Crusty Bread (like a French baguette)
How To Store Blackened Pork Bites
To store the pork bites and asparagus, first, let the dish cool to room temperature. Next, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat the pork and asparagus in the microwave or a skillet over low heat on the stovetop.
Blackened Pork Bites
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless pork chops, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon blackened seasoning
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (60 g) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed (about ½ lemon)
- 16 ounces asparagus, trimmed
- red pepper flakes, for garnish
- parsley, chopped for garnish
- lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- To a medium bowl, add pork pieces and blackened seasoning. Toss to evenly coat.
- To a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add oil. Once hot, add pork. Depending on the size of the skillet, you may need to work in batches. Cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway through until the pork is browned and crispy and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Transfer to a plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.
- To the same skillet over medium heat, add butter. Once melted, add garlic and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add asparagus to the skillet. Cook for 6-10 minutes, or until the asparagus is crisp-tender, tossing occasionally to coat in the sauce.
- Push the cooked asparagus to one side of the skillet. Return the cooked pork to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until pork is warmed through.
- Garnish with red pepper, parsley, and lemon slices. Serve.
Video
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
The blackened pork bites were bursting with flavor! Loved the kick from the seasoning.
Elizabeth
I love pork, and this is an easy and delicious way to prepare it! I would add even more heat with more red pepper flakes. Yum!
Annabelle
This skillet recipe is a great weeknight dinner option. Loved the combination of savory pork and tangy lemon.
Bella
I enjoyed the juicy tenderness of the pork bites, and the asparagus complemented them perfectly.
Selena
The blackened pork bites were a hit with my family! Quick and easy to make, and the flavors were fantastic.
