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Thick Pork Chops in the Air Fryer (Chili Lime Flavor)

For a meal that’s elegant enough for entertaining but easy enough for a weeknight dinner, try making thick pork chops in the air fryer with a chili-lime flavor! Delicious and ready in less than 30 minutes.

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Thick pork chop cooked in air fryer in slices with cilantro lime seasoning

When pork chops are cooked properly, they’re oh-so-tasty! But it can be intimidating to make thicker chops if you’re worried about cooking them all the way through without drying them out.

You never have to worry about that problem when you make thick pork chops in the air fryer! The seasoning gives them a beautiful crisp on the outside while the inside stays mouth-wateringly tender and juicy.

Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:

  • How to make thick boneless pork chops in the air fryer with chili lime seasoning
  • Ways to prevent your chops from turning out tough
  • What to serve with air fryer thick pork chops
  • How to reheat leftovers so they taste as good as when you first cooked them

This meal is fancy enough to make for entertaining guests but simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight! You can enjoy them as is when you’re craving seasoned pork chops or even use them to mix up your next Mexican-inspired feast. 

Air Fryer I recommend: Large, easy to clean, square basket, burner on top and bottom. Click to see it.
prepared ingredients for air fryer thick pork chops

How to Make Air Fryer Thick Boneless Pork Chops

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

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STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

STEP TWO: Combine the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, sugar, and lime zest. You can also use storebought chili lime seasoning instead. I love switching it up and using Trader Joe’s chile lime seasoning. You only need 1 1/2 tablespoons.

Spray the pork chops with olive oil cooking spray, then cover each pork chop completely with the seasoning mixture.

I use an EVO Oil Sprayer to easily spray the pork chops.

STEP THREE: Lay the pork chops in the air fryer with a little space between each one. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F using an Instant-Read thermometer.

place thick pork chops in air fryer in single layer with room for circulation

STEP FOUR: Remove from the air fryer and allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing. 

flip thick pork chops over to cook evenly in air fryer

What Temperature Should Thick Pork Chops Be Cooked To?

Pork should always be cooked to 145 degrees F. If your pork chops vary in thickness, I recommend using a meat thermometer and testing the smallest pork chops first. Once they reach temperature, remove the smaller ones and place them in the oven at 200 degrees F to stay warm while the thicker ones continue cooking.

How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Pork Chops

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to four days.

air fryer thick pork chops on plate

Do I Really Need to Preheat My Air Fryer?

Yes! This is an important step that will not only save you time in the long run but also give you the best results.

Preheating your air fryer is the best way to achieve that signature crispiness that makes dishes like these thick pork chops so irresistible. You’ll love the crust you get from the chili lime seasoning!

Want to learn more about the benefits of preheating and when you should use this feature? Check out my article How to Preheat an Air Fryer for all the details!

Why Are My Air Fryer Pork Chops Tough?

In most cases, pork chops that turn out tough means they’ve been overcooked. Pork is a leaner meat, so there’s not a lot of fat to keep the meat juicy when they cook for too long.

If you feel like your chops aren’t cooking evenly, make sure you’re leaving space between each one for the air to properly circulate. It’s always better to cook in batches than to overcrowd the air fryer!

If you’re still having trouble cooking pork chops, I recommend using our tips on how to cook juicy pork chops in the air fryer post here so they cook perfectly every time!

thick pork chop slices with mashed potatoes on white plate

How Long Does It Take to Cook Thick Pork Chops in the Air Fryer?

It usually takes 20 to 25 minutes to cook thick pork chops in the air fryer. The time is going to depend on how thick each chop is as well as your individual air fryer.

I always recommend using an Instant Read Thermometer to help you get the most accurate cooking time. This is also super useful if your chops are slightly different sizes so you can take the smaller ones out once they’re done and let the larger ones keep cooking.

If cooking from pork chops from frozen, I recommend using the time and temperature found in our Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops recipe here.

What Can I Serve with Thick Pork Chops?

You can check out our other Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes too!

thick pork chops on plate with cilantro lime seasoning

How to Reheat Thick Cut Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
  2. Lay the leftover chops in a single layer.
  3. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes until heated through.

Other Air Fryer Pork Recipes You’ll Love:

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Yield: 4 servings

Thick Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

Thick pork chop cooked in air fryer in slices with cilantro lime seasoning

It’s easy to make thick pork chops in the air fryer! Thanks to the chili lime seasoning, you can enjoy them with a Mexican-inspired feast.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Cool Time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • 1 lime zested
  • 4 thick-cut pork chops
  • Cilantro, optional
  • Lime wedges, optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. 
  2. Combine the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, sugar, and lime zest in a bowl.* Spray your pork chops with olive oil cooking spray and then cover each pork chop completely with the seasoning. 
  3. Play them into the air fryer with a little space around them and cook for 20 to 25 minutes. You may need to cook in batches. If you have varying thicknesses in your pork chops, then use a meat thermometer on your smallest pork chop and set it at 145 degrees F.
  4. Allow pork chops to cool for 5 minutes before slicing. 
  5. Enjoy!

Notes

*You can also use 1 ½ tablespoon store-bought chili lime seasoning instead of homemade seasoning. I use Trader Joe's chile lime seasoning.

How to Reheat Thick Cut Pork Chops in the Air Fryer

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
  2. Lay the leftover chops in a single layer.
  3. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes until heated through.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 342Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 390mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 41g

This nutrition information is based on the exact products I used in this recipe. Brands and sizes of products could alter exact nutrition and should always be calculated independently.

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samantha

About Samantha

I’ve always had a love of cooking and creating new recipes, so it only made sense to create a food blog so I could share those recipes with you. This site is designed to provide easy and flavorful recipes with as little ingredients as possible. That means you still get great flavor combinations without all that extra time and effort. Read more...

4 thoughts on “Thick Pork Chops in the Air Fryer (Chili Lime Flavor)”

  1. HOW thick do you consider “THICK”???
    I buy 1/2 or whole pork loins & cut them myself (like everyone should).
    So… I can cut them at whatever thickness you might recommend.
    The recipe sounds delicious. I just need more definition.
    Thanks in advance!
    John

    Reply
    • Cooking time, even approximate, would be helpful.
      I always use my trusty ThermoPen to test doneness, but having a time estimate would help with getting other things done, while it cooks.

    • Hi John, I recommend using 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches thick. If you end up cutting your pork chops any thicker, the cooking time will increase.

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