Chuletas de Cerdo a la Plancha con Rajas (Griddled Pork Chops with Pepper Strips)
Juicy pork loin chops with a smoky spice crust, served with soft poblano and onion rajas over fragrant coriander lime rice.
Made with Cilantro lime rice and Fajita seasoning mix. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.19 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Take the chops out of the fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Pat dry, rub with the vegetable oil and press the fajita seasoning mix (see the base recipe) onto both sides.
20 min - 2
Heat a large heavy frying pan or griddle over a high heat. Cook the chops for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until golden with a core temperature of 70C and no pink in the middle. Rest on a plate for 5 minutes.
10 min - 3
While the chops cook, heat the olive oil in a second pan over a medium-high heat. Cook the poblanos and onion for 8 to 10 minutes until soft and lightly charred. Add half the lime juice.
10 min - 4
Warm your cilantro lime rice (see the base recipe) in a covered pan with a splash of water, or in the microwave, until steaming hot all the way through.
4 min - 5
Pour the remaining lime juice over the rested chops.
- 6
Serve the chops on a bed of rice with the rajas spooned over.
Tips
- Pork chops dry out quickly. Do not move them while they sear, and rest them for 5 minutes to keep them juicy.
- Score the fat edge in two places so the chop does not curl in the pan.
- If your chops are thin, cook for 3 minutes on each side and check the middle.
- A spoonful of salsa verde or a few slices of avocado makes a nice finish.
Storing and freezing
Cool leftover chops and rice quickly and refrigerate within 1 hour. Keep for up to 2 days and reheat only once until steaming hot all the way through. Reheat the rice only once.
Questions
What are rajas?
Rajas means strips, and in Mexican cooking it refers to roasted or fried poblano chilli strips cooked with onion. They are a classic filling and side dish, mild and smoky.
What temperature should pork chops reach?
Pork should reach a core temperature of 70C for 2 minutes, or 75C straight away, and the juices should run clear. Rest it for a few minutes afterwards.
Can I use pork steaks or tenderloin?
Yes. Pork steaks cook in about the same time as chops. Tenderloin medallions need roughly 3 minutes on each side. Check they are cooked through before serving.
More made with cilantro lime rice
Brochetas de Pollo Asado con Piña (Chicken and Pineapple Skewers)
GFDFEFPollo en Salsa Verde con Arroz (Chicken in Green Sauce)
GFDFEFBurrito Bowls Mar y Tierra (Chicken and Prawn Burrito Bowls)
GFDFEFTazon de Barbacoa de Res con Arroz Verde y Cebollas Encurtidas (Barbacoa Rice Bowl)
GFDFEFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.