Healthy Ingredient Recipes Healthy Meat & Poultry Recipes Healthy Pork Recipes Healthy Pork Chop Recipes Cajun Skillet Pork Chops with Asparagus & Cheesy Polenta The Cajun pork chop rub adds a delicious smoky flavor to this easy skillet dish. This polenta has a nice sharp bite thanks to Cheddar cheese. Don't have any on hand? Try Parmesan or Gouda instead. By Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD Instagram Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD, is EatingWell's former test kitchen & editorial operations manager. During her time at EatingWell, Breana oversaw the development, production and nutrition analysis of 500-plus recipes per year and helped manage day-to-day operations to keep everything running smoothly. Breana has a master's degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu London, a Wine Spirit & Education Trust-trained sommelier and a registered dietitian. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 1, 2020 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 35 mins Total Time: 35 mins Servings: 4 Yield: 4 servings Nutrition Profile: Bone Health Egg Free Gluten-Free Healthy Aging Healthy Immunity High Calcium Low Added Sugars Low-Calorie Nut-Free Soy-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Ingredients 4 cups water 1 cup cornmeal 1 ½ pounds thin-cut bone-in pork chops 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (see Tip) ½ teaspoon salt plus a pinch, divided 2 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil, divided 1 pound asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces ¼ cup white wine 1 ¼ cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 4 scallions, sliced 1 tablespoon butter ¼ teaspoon ground pepper Directions Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Slowly whisk in cornmeal and reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and the cornmeal is tender, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, season pork chops with Cajun seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, turning once, until browned, about 1 minute per side. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 140 degrees F, 3 to 6 minutes more. Transfer the pork to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, asparagus, wine and pinch of salt to the pan. Cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the asparagus is tender, about 3 minutes. Remove the polenta from the heat and stir in cheese, scallions, butter, pepper and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve the pork chops with the asparagus and polenta. Tips Tip: Cajun seasoning gives this pork Louisiana flair. The aromatic blend, made with paprika, garlic and onion powders, dried herbs and cayenne for a touch of heat, is delicious on meat, seafood and stirred into soup. Look for a salt-free version if that's a concern for you. Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 565 Calories 35g Fat 28g Carbs 37g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 4 Calories 565 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 28g 10% Dietary Fiber 4g 14% Total Sugars 2g Protein 37g 73% Total Fat 35g 45% Saturated Fat 14g 69% Cholesterol 111mg 37% Vitamin A 1250IU 25% Vitamin C 7mg 8% Folate 61mcg 15% Sodium 658mg 29% Calcium 298mg 23% Iron 3mg 18% Magnesium 86mg 21% Potassium 627mg 13% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs. Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved