Pan seared, bone in pork chops with an orange parsley sauce. Full of flavor, easy to cook, and healthy as can be! Keto, paleo, gluten free, low carb, dairy free and Whole30.

Shawn and I went on our first date since having Josh!

We went to the movies AND went out to dinner. My wonderful parents babysat Josh, and I didn’t have to worry for a second because they take such amazing care of him.

Pork Chops with Orange Pecan Pesto (Paleo, Gluten Free, Whole30, Low Carb)

It’s a whole new ball game getting ready for a date after having a baby. Not only do I get myself all dolled up, which is a nice change from my usual yoga pants and pony tail look. But I have to get everything ready for the baby.

Change of clothes, pumped bottles and diapers, oh my!

Pork Chops with Orange Pecan Pesto (Paleo, Gluten Free, Whole30, Low Carb)

I surprised even myself that I had everything ready and we got to the movie on time.

We went out to dinner after, and of course talked about Josh the whole time. We even looked at pictures of him, and watched videos of him.

All this work to get some alone time, and all we want to do is gush over our lovable boy!

Pork Chops with Orange Pecan Pesto (Paleo, Gluten Free, Whole30, Low Carb)

We decided that we are going to go on one date a month where we actually get out of the house just the 2 of us.

But every Saturday feels like date night, even when we’re at home. We wait to eat dinner until really late after Josh goes to bed. I cook us up something semi fancy, and we eat dinner together with a glass of wine. One of my favorites I’ve cooked lately are these pork chops with orange parsley sauce. A super easy dinner to make, but tastes like we’re eating out at a restaurant.

Pork Chops with Orange Pecan Pesto (Paleo, Gluten Free, Whole30, Low Carb)

You start with some gorgeous bone in pork chops. The bones give it way more flavor and keep it juicy. I use my cast iron skillet to give it a golden, gorgeous crust. Then finish cooking it in the oven.

While it’s roasting in the oven, I make this AMAZING orange parsley sauce. And yes, AMAZING in all caps. I’m obsessed with it. In these pictures, I show the pork chops with a moderate spoonful on top of them. When I’m actually eating this, I can’t even see the pork chops under all the orange parsley sauce I spoon on top. It is delicious!

Pork Chops with Orange Pecan Pesto (Paleo, Gluten Free, Whole30, Low Carb)

I love serving these pork chops with my orange braised rainbow chard and my perfect roasted potatoes. The orange parsley sauce is so good on top of the roasted potatoes too. Perfect date night dinner to enjoy at home.

And it’s healthy! All real food. All real ingredients. It’s gluten free, paleo, Whole30, dairy free and low carb. I eat the whole plate without any guilt.

Watch Pork Chops with Orange Parsley Sauce (1:47 minutes)

Pork Chops with Orange Parsley Sauce

These pan seared, bone in pork chops with an orange parsley sauce are absolutely delicious. Full of flavor, easy to cook, and healthy as can be!
4.75 from 4 ratings

Ingredients 
 

Orange Parsley Sauce

  • 1 cup packed parsley leaves, some stems ok
  • 1/2 cup roasted, unsalted pecans
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • zest from 1 orange
  • juice from 1 orange, about 1/4 cup
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Pork Chops

Instructions 

Orange Parsley Sauce

  • In a food processor, combine the pecans, parsley, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, olive oil and salt. Blend until combined.
  • Add more orange juice if a thinner consistency is desired.
  • Taste for salt and add more if necessary.
  • Scrape the sauce into a small bowl and set aside.

Pork Chops

  • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees with the oven rack in the middle. Heat a cast iron skillet (or heavy bottom oven safe skillet) over medium high heat.
  • Pat the pork chops dry, season with salt, pepper and paprika. Rub the seasoning into the pork to evenly distribute it.
  • Add the olive oil to the cast iron skillet, and add the pork chops. You want to get a good crusty sear. The pork chops should sizzle as soon as you add them. Cook about 3-5 minutes on the first side. Flip when golden and sear the other sides and the edges for 2-3 minutes. Transfer the cast iron skillet to the oven to finish cooking if needed. Cook the pork chops until they reach an internal temperature of 145ºF.
  • Remove the pork chops from the oven, and transfer to a plate to rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm, topped with a generous amount of the orange pecan sauce.
Calories: 736, Total Carbs: 56.2g, Protein: 28.7g, Fat: 49g, Fiber: 6.9g, Net Carbs: 49g
Did you make this recipe?Please Leave a comment and give this recipe a rating!

 

Pork Chops with Orange Pecan Pesto (Paleo, Gluten Free, Whole30, Low Carb)

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