Cornbread-Crusted Fried Pork Chops

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and top with a cooling rack.

Step 2

Sprinkle both sides of the pork chops liberally with salt and pepper. Combine the buttermilk and hot sauce in a large mixing bowl. Put the pork chops in the buttermilk mixture, being sure that all 4 are submerged. Set aside to rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, put the cornbread crumbs into a shallow dish.

Step 3

Pour the vegetable oil into a large (10-inch) cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan. Clip a deep-frying thermometer to its side and heat the oil to 350 degrees F.

Step 4

Lift a pork chop out of the buttermilk by its top bone using tongs, and allow any excess to drip off. Lightly dredge both sides of the pork chop in the cornbread crumbs. Carefully lower the coated chop into the hot oil. Repeat this process with a second chop. Cook the chops until crispy on one side, 3 to 4 minutes. Gently turn the pork chops and fry until golden brown, an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the crispy chops to the prepared cooling rack. Sprinkle the chops with additional salt and transfer to the oven to stay warm while the remaining chops are fried. Repeat this process with the remaining pork chops.

Step 5

For the white gravy: Reserve 2 tablespoons of skillet oil for the gravy, then drain the remaining oil from the skillet, being sure to remove any bits of fried cornbread left behind. Add the butter to the skillet, pour in the reserved oil and heat over medium heat until the butter melts. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking, and cook until a smooth paste is formed, about 1 minute. Pour in the milk, whisking continuously. Cook, whisking occasionally, until a thick sauce is formed and the gravy coats the back of a spoon, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the hot sauce and season the gravy with salt and pepper as desired.

Step 6

Transfer the crispy pork chops to a serving platter. Spoon the white gravy over the chops and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.