This easy Creamy Garlic Parmesan Keto Pork Chops Recipe is a delicious and healthy dinner option that is low-carb and keto-friendly. Juicy center-cut boneless pork chops are pan-seared to perfection, then smothered in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce made with heavy whipping cream, cream cheese, chicken broth, and a blend of cheddar and parmesan cheese. This recipe is quick and easy to make, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Keto Pork Chops

As much as I love experimenting with different meals and meats each week, it’s quite easy to fall into a rut and repeatedly cook the same things. Although I enjoy pork chops, they usually aren’t my top pick. But everything changed when I tried this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Keto Pork Chop recipe. This delectable and straightforward low-carb dish will have your taste buds singing, and you can have it on the table in 30 minutes or less! 

Can I Eat Pork Chops on a Keto Diet?

Yes! Pork Chops are keto-friendly and can be prepared in many different ways, such as in a slow cooker, Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker), air fryer, cast-iron skillet, baked in the oven, or on the grill. For most, fatty meats are a staple of the keto diet, so pork chops are an excellent choice.

Ingredients for Keto Pork Chops Recipes:

Center-cut boneless pork chops – The primary protein source in the recipe. The pork chops are seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked until browned on both sides.

Onion – Adds flavor and aroma to the dish. The onion is sliced and sautéed with minced garlic in olive oil until softened.

Garlic – Adds a rich and pungent flavor to the dish. The garlic is minced and sautéed with the onion in olive oil. You can also use garlic powder if you don’t have fresh garlic.

Olive oil – Used to cook the pork chops and sauté the onion and garlic.

Heavy whipping cream – Used to make the creamy sauce for the pork chops. It gives the sauce its creamy texture and rich flavor.

Cream cheese – Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.

Chicken broth – Adds a savory depth of flavor to the sauce and thins it out.

Parmesan cheese – Gives the sauce a nutty and salty flavor.

Cheddar cheese – Adds even more creaminess and flavor to the sauce.

Italian seasoning – Adds an herbal flavor and aroma to the dish.

Salt/Pepper –Enhances the flavors of the dish.

How to Make Keto/Low-Carb Smothered Pork Chops

This skillet pork chop is easy to prepare. Follow the added tips in this picture tutorial, and you’ll master this recipe quickly. For the complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step 1: Begin this recipe by heating the cast iron skillet on medium-high heat, then add the olive oil and allow it to get nice and hot before adding the pork chops, garlic, and chopped onions.

Next, sear the pork chops for a few minutes on each side. Although I generally use boneless thin-cut pork chops in this recipe, bone-in pork chops or thick-cut boneless are also options. In either case, the cooking time may need to be adjusted.

Tip: Getting a good sear to seal in the juices and for added flavor is essential. If they feel like they are sticking to the pan, it’s a sign they aren’t ready to turn. Leave them a bit longer, and they will turn over easily.

Step 2: Once they are nice and browned on the top, bottom, and sides of the pork chops, set them aside. Leave as much of the onions and garlic as you can in the skillet as they add flavor to the delicious creamy garlic parmesan low-carb sauce.

Step 3: Combine all of the ingredients of the creamy parmesan sauce in a bowl and pour into the cast iron skillet with the sauteed onions and garlic.

Tip: Make sure to scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to get all the brown bits from searing the pork chops. They are full of flavor.

Step 4: You can’t get much more straightforward than dumping all the ingredients into the skillet and then allowing them to boil and thicken for this Pork Chop keto recipe. In this recipe, the whipping cream, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese all complement each other to form a creamy sauce.

Once the sauce thickens, add the pork chops back to the skillet and simmer for a few minutes before serving. You aren’t going to believe just how decadent these Easy Keto Pork Chops taste.

Tip: The sauce mixes so quickly, and it has incredible flavor. Don’t be afraid of spices, as they give so much depth to this recipe. You could also substitute onion powder and thyme for the Italian seasoning if you prefer. r.

Garnish with fresh parsley for a restaurant-quality look.

Yum! These mouthwatering pork chops turned out better than I imagined. The sauce is rich, creamy, and full of robust flavor. If you don’t love pork chops, this recipe can be altered to use chicken thighs or chicken breasts instead.

What Type of Pork Chops to Use

While center-cut boneless pork chops are recommended for this recipe, you could also use bone-in pork chops or thick-cut pork chops. Just note that cooking times may need to be adjusted accordingly.

Boneless vs. Bone-In Pork Chops

I used Boneless pork chops for this recipe because they are leaner and cook more evenly, making them easier to work with. This allows you to achieve the perfect level of doneness without overcooking the meat. Additionally, the leaner meat of the boneless pork chops pairs well with the rich and creamy garlic parmesan sauce.

On the other hand, bone-in pork chops have a richer flavor and can be more tender due to the presence of the bone. Ultimately, the decision of which type of pork chops to use comes down to personal preference.

The secret to juicy pork chops

The secret to juicy pork chops in this recipe is not to overcook them, which is always a challenge for me unless I use a meat thermometer. It’s important to sear the pork chops on both sides until they are browned and caramelized, but then to remove them from the pan to prevent them from drying out. When you add the pork chops back to the pan to simmer in the sauce, make sure to keep the heat low and monitor the temperature carefully. This will help to ensure that the pork chops stay moist and tender.

Tips to make the best Keto Pork Chops

• Use a meat thermometer: To ensure that your pork chops are cooked perfectly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.
• Grate your cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents and fillers, which can affect the texture and taste of the dish. To get the best flavor and texture, grate your cheese from a block.
• Add vegetables: This recipe pairs well with various vegetables, such as asparagus, chopped cauliflower, cauliflower rice, broccoli, or green beans. To add extra nutrition to the dish, sauté the vegetables in the same skillet before making the sauce.
• Adjust the seasoning to your taste: The seasoning measurements in the recipe are just a guideline. Feel free to adjust the amounts of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to your liking.

Variations to the easy creamy garlic parmesan pork chops recipe:

1. Swapping out the boneless pork chops for bone-in or boneless chicken breasts or thighs would work, too, for a delicious and equally low-carb alternative.
2. Add vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or mushrooms to the skillet to boost fiber and nutrients.
3. For a more tangy flavor, substitute the chicken broth with white wine.
4. Experiment with different types of cheese, like asiago or gouda, in place of cheddar cheese. Mix up the seasonings by adding some smoked paprika, cumin, or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.

Can You Make Keto Pork Chops in the Slow Cooker?

Yes! You can make this Pork Chop keto recipe in the slow cooker. The last time I made this family favorite dish, I cooked the pork chops on low, covered with vegetable broth and salt and pepper in my slow cooker for 5-6 hours. Right before dinner, I made the sauce in my skillet and then nestled the pork chops in the creamy parmesan garlic sauce. They turned out so tender and flavorful, making cooking dinner a breeze.

Storing, freezing, and reheating instructions.

If you have any leftover creamy garlic parmesan keto pork chops, don’t worry, they can be stored and reheated easily. Here are some step-by-step instructions to help you store and reheat them like a pro:

How to Store in the Fridge:

• Transfer the pork chops to an airtight container or a resealable storage bag. If using a resealable storage bag, remove as much air as possible to prevent the meat from drying out.
• Place the container or bag in the refrigerator and store for up to 3-4 days.

How to Reheat:

• Heat the pork chops in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat them on the stovetop in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
• If the sauce has thickened while in the fridge; you can add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to loosen it up. Pour the liquid into the skillet with the pork chops and stir until the sauce is heated through and smooth.

I do not recommend freezing these pork chops due to the dairy content, as it would comprise the taste and texture.

Is this dish gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is gluten-free, as none of the ingredients contain gluten. However, if you are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease, ensure that all of your ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially the chicken broth and Italian seasoning, as some brands may contain gluten.

How to Make Keto Pork Chops with Parmesan Cheese Sauce Dairy Free

To make this recipe dairy-free, you can make some substitutions. Instead of heavy whipping cream, you can use coconut cream, almond milk, or any other plant-based milk of your choice. Instead of cream cheese, you can use dairy-free cream cheese or silken tofu. For the cheese, you can use a vegan cheese substitute made from soy, nuts, or vegetables.

** I am not dairy free these are only suggestions. Be sure to check the labels to make sure they are free from any animal-derived ingredients.

What to serve with this Keto Pork Chops Recipe:

Many keto side dishes pair perfectly with this recipe. You can keep it simple and make a simple garden salad or one of the recipes below.

How Many Carbs in this Pork Chop Keto Recipe?

The nutritional information is provided for this recipe below in the recipe card. To calculate net carbs, subtract the fiber from the total carbs. Each serving is 2.7 g carbs minus .2 g of fiber, making it 2.5 g per serving. This information is only an estimate as it will depend on the size and kind of pork chops you use.

More Keto Pork Chops Recipes:

If you’re wondering can you freeze chicken salad without sacrificing its taste and texture, you’re not alone. Freezing chicken salad is a great way to meal prep and save time, but it’s important to do it right. Learn tips for freezing, thawing, and storing your chicken salad to keep it at its best in this ultimate guide on freezing chicken salad! With these tips on meal prepping and freezing chicken salad, you can easily have a delicious and healthy meal ready in no time!

Is it safe to freeze homemade chicken salad?

Freezing chicken salad is generally safe and won’t compromise its taste and nutritional value. However, it’s important to note that some ingredients, like fresh vegetables and dairy-based dressings, may change in texture and taste upon thawing.

To ensure the best quality, it’s recommended to consider the ingredients and their freezing properties before preparing and freezing your chicken salad. And in some cases, you might want to skip the freezing altogether. Finish it in one sitting, refrigerate for a few days, or bin it. These are the instances in which you’d want to chuck the chicken salad:

• If it has been sitting in warm temperatures for more than 1.5 hours.
• If it’s a packed chicken salad bought from a store that’s been opened, and you are unsure when it was opened.
• If the salad tastes or smells sour or nasty
• If the expiration date of the salad is looming
• If any perishable ingredients (some of which will be discussed) have been added to the mix.
• If it has mayonnaise in it, the mayo will curdle and separate when it’s frozen.

How to freeze chicken salad without altering texture and flavor

There are several ways that you can freeze chicken salad. Dividing it into individual servings works best for our family. Place each serving into an airtight plastic freezer-safe container and place it into the freezer. Plastic containers come in all shapes and sizes, so you can personalize whatever portion size you want! Pull a container out and let it defrost in the refrigerator as needed. I use this method for lunches. The only downfall is that plastic containers take up a bit of freezer space.

Another option is to freeze a large batch of chicken salad. Either put the salad into an airtight container or a large freezer-safe bag. If you put it in a ziplock bag, distribute the salad evenly in the bag and press the contents flat. Freeze on a cookie sheet or freezer shelf. Once it has frozen, you can rearrange it as you’d like. This method doesn’t take up a lot of space.  

Consider vacuum-sealing your chicken salad before placing it in the freezer. Place it in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible before sealing it. Then, place the bag in the fridge or freezer.

When you’re ready to eat the chicken salad, thaw and enjoy!

Helpful products:

The dos and don’ts of freezing chicken salad

There are so many different types of chicken salad. With many different variations and ingredients of chicken salad recipes, we’ve included a few tips below for specific kinds of chicken salad.

How do I freeze chicken salad for meal prep?

You can make a large batch of shredded chicken with salt and pepper on the stovetop, in the instant pot, or the crockpot, and then freeze it for later. This is one of my most used meal prep hacks. Always have shredded, cooked chicken on hand! Once it defrosts, you can use it for chicken salad or any other recipe that calls for shredded chicken.

Check out how I make shredded chicken using my crock pot.

Freeze the chicken in quantities that work for your family (I usually freeze in 1.5lb portions). It can also be frozen into portions (4-6oz). By freezing the chicken plain, you will never have to worry about which chicken salad ingredients don’t freeze well. Let the chicken defrost and stir in your preferred salad fixings. The flavor and texture will never be compromised!

Tip: Not all crockpots are the same; this Ninja Multi Cooker is my absolute favorite!

Can You Freeze Chicken Salad Sandwiches?

Since chicken salad is moist, I don’t recommend freezing the chicken salad on bread, croissants, or chaffles. The bread will get soggy. It is best to freeze the chicken salad on its own and add it to bread if desired after it has defrosted.

Can I freeze chicken salad with mayonnaise?

Freezing chicken salad with mayonnaise is generally ill-advised as the emulsion contains fat and liquid ingredients such as oil, egg yolk, and vinegar. When frozen and thawed, the mayonnaise separates, becomes lumpy, and cannot be re-emulsified.

To avoid this problem, you can freeze the chicken salad’s ingredients separately, combine them, and add the mayo when it’s time to serve.

You could freeze it with the mayo and then add in more mayo after it thaws, making it *better*, but not nearly as good as when it was fresh.

If you anticipate freezing leftover chicken salad, it’s recommended to avoid ingredients like mayo and look for a recipe that freezes well. Ingredients such as cooked chicken, hard-boiled egg yolks, and dressings like vinaigrettes and oil-based dressings tend to freeze better.

Can I freeze chicken salad with grapes?

No. Grapes are a high-water content fruit. The water in the grapes freezes, leaving the defrosted grapes limp and deflated. Nobody likes soggy grapes. Plan to consume chicken salad with grapes immediately upon making it.

Can I freeze chicken salad with nuts or seeds?

Chicken salad with nuts can be frozen. Freeze in an airtight container with a layer of wax paper between the salad and the lid. This will prevent the nuts from coming into contact with oxygen, which can cause them to go rancid.

Can you freeze chicken salad with Miracle Whip?

You’re in luck. This particular whipped salad dressing can be frozen. Miracle whip, which contains artificial stabilizers and preservatives, serves as a mayo substitute and has the advantage of freezing better than traditional mayonnaise.

Can You Freeze Chicken Salad With Vegetables?

Some raw vegetables freeze well; however, many vegetables typically found in chicken salad don’t. The moisture in celery, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and pickles will freeze. When they defrost, it results in limp, soggy, flavorless mush. Freezing these vegetables will not result in the crisp satisfaction you’ll be looking for in a refreshing salad. Really crunchy vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower, work well to freeze in a chicken salad.

To help vegetables freeze better, you can blanch them by bringing a pot of water to a boil and adding the vegetable to the boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Remove from the boiling water and immediately plunge it into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. This will help a vegetable maintain crunchiness and flavor when frozen and thawed.

Can you freeze chicken salad with eggs?

It is important to note that their two distinct parts have differing freeze-thaw properties when it comes to freezing eggs. While hard-boiled egg yolks freeze and thaw well, egg whites tend to become tough and rubbery upon thawing.

If your chicken salad recipe only contains egg yolks, it is more suitable for freezing. However, if it also has egg whites, its quality may not be as satisfactory as when freshly made.

Can you freeze chicken salad with Greek yogurt?

Yogurt is a dairy product that can be frozen. Thawing frozen yogurt will leave it with a little more water and a grainy texture. The good news is that you can stir a little more yogurt into the salad to help cover the texture and freshen it up.

Can You Freeze Chicken Salad with Sour Cream?

Freezing chicken salad with sour cream is not recommended as the resulting thawed salad may appear unappetizing, retain excess moisture, and have an altered taste. Sour cream is known to be one of the least freezer-friendly ingredients as it tends to separate into liquid and solids upon thawing.

Can You Freeze Chicken Salad with Celery?

Freezing chicken salad with celery is not recommended, as celery tends to become soft and loses its crisp texture upon thawing. To prevent this, it is advised to slice fresh celery and add it to the chicken salad after it has been defrosted.

Can I Freeze Rotisserie Chicken Salad?

There is no difference between freezing home-cooked chicken salad and a rotisserie chicken salad. The one thing you’ll want to pay close attention to is how fresh the chicken is. When was it cooked? Did you make the chicken salad with fresh rotisserie chicken, or was it from the refrigerator? And, of course, check the other ingredients.

Can You Freeze Costco Chicken Salad?

I know, I know, the portions at Costco are big, and if you buy the chicken salad, you’ll likely have too much chicken salad to eat at one time. I suggest finding a friend to share it with or keeping it in the fridge for 3-5 days. If you choose to freeze it, remember that it has mayonnaise and will separate after being frozen. It can’t be re-emulsified. The taste and texture will be compromised.

Can Chicken Salad Chick be frozen?

All of the chicken salad options at Chicken Salad Chick have mayonnaise in them. Mayo separates when frozen, and the ingredients cannot be re-emulsified. You also don’t know exactly when the store-bought chicken salad was made. I’d recommend storing the leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How long can chicken salad be left out of the refrigerator?

The FDA guidelines state that chicken salad should sit at room temperature for no longer than two hours. In case the temperature exceeds 90°F (32°C), it is advised to refrigerate the chicken salad within an hour. Follow these guidelines to minimize dangerous bacteria growth.

How long can I freeze chicken salad?

The general rule of thumb is approximately three months. Just make sure that your freezer setting is correct – the best would be around -18–20 Celsius. Above all – freeze it on the day it is made! Don’t risk having bacterial contamination or, worse, food poisoning.

How do I thaw frozen chicken salad?

Remove it from the freezer and immediately place the chicken salad in the fridge to thaw overnight or for a few hours, depending on the portion size. If you are in a bit of a hurry, just put the freezer bag with the salad inside under tap water.

How do I prevent chicken salad from becoming watery after freezing?

After it is completely thawed, remove the bag from the fridge and drain all the excess moisture and liquids. Be sure not to let the chicken salad thaw at room temperature, as this allows for bacterial growth.

Serving suggestions for chicken salad

Low Carb Options:

• Rolled into a lettuce wrap
• Rolled into a variety of wraps (almond flour, low-carb, etc.)
• With low-carb cracker crisps
• On a bed of lettuce with avocado
• On a chaffle for a low-carb sandwich
• Stuffed in baby sweet peppers

Non Low-Carb Options:

• Stuffed into a baked sweet potato
• On a toasted croissant
• Rolled into a variety of wraps

 Delicious Chicken Salad Recipes: