This easy weeknight meal is hearty, flavorful and everything all in one meal. Lemon Thyme Pork Chops with Quinoa Asparagus & Red Peppers is so savory with just a hint of tartness, and complete in less than 40 minutes. No need for anything else but dessert!
Our family has a few favorite recipes that we tend to turn to again and again. Who doesn’t love a classic pork chop, paired with some veggies, or a salad.
With Spring having arrived here in St. Louis, my asparagus and herbs are already growing like crazy in my garden and I already see signs of baby peppers.
I wanted to update our normal pork chop recipe with a fun twist for Spring.
Enter in these delicious, Lemon Thyme Pork Chops with Quinoa, Asparagus & Red Peppers.
It’s an entire meal in itself and is a quick and easy recipe to boot. Can’t beat that, since easy and quick are the name of the game in this house.
As usual, the real test is, can I get five hungry teenagers and a picky toddler to eat it? Success!
They devoured them and several wanted more. The light lemon and thyme flavor was just what the pork chops needed.
Serving them over a bed of quinoa tossed with fresh asparagus and red peppers was the perfect addition to fill everyone up.
Get the printable recipe for Lemon Thyme Pork Chops with Quinoa, Asparagus & Red Peppers below!
Are you ready to make Lemon Thyme Pork Chops with Quinoa Asparagus Red Peppers?
More Pork Recipes for Easy Meals
Lemon Thyme Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork loin chops approx. 4 ounces each
- 2 lemons divided
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 pounds asparagus bottoms trimmed
- 1 red pepper diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 clove garlic peeled and cut in half
Instructions
- Slice both lemons in half, and set two halves aside. Squeeze the juice from the other two halves of lemon on the pork chops. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- Prepare 1 cup of quinoa according to package directions.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium low heat. When oil is hot, put the pork chops in the skillet. As you sauté the pork chops, add the juice from one of the remaining two lemon halves. Sprinkle the Thyme over the pork chops and continue sautéing for approximately 8-10 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear.
- While the pork chops are cooking, in another saucepan with a lid, add the asparagus, diced red pepper, the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of water and garlic over high heat. Cook for about 2 minutes uncovered, or until the water is almost gone. Squeeze the remaining lemon halve over the asparagus and red pepper. Toss the red pepper and asparagus to coat and cover the pan, cooking for 1 minute. Remove the lid and toss the asparagus and red pepper again. Put the lid back on and repeat until the asparagus and red pepper are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the finished quinoa to the vegetables and toss to coat. Serve the pork chops over a scoop of quinoa and vegetables.
That color is just gorgeous and those pork chops look amazing!!!
Thanks for another inspiring dish, N . . . I love the new pots and the color too. Feels like spring. I’m heading to the healthier meal-planning here on out for the summer to try to lose some of my “sad” weight, and hoping for better days ahead. Cooking days!
That color is just gorgeous and those pork chops look amazing!!!
that looks good I’ll do it with checking instead of pork. thank you for this
Aqua all the way!
Thanks for another inspiring dish, N . . . I love the new pots and the color too. Feels like spring. I’m heading to the healthier meal-planning here on out for the summer to try to lose some of my “sad” weight, and hoping for better days ahead. Cooking days!
Aqua!!! GORGEOUS!
I would pick aqua! Love it.
I would choose aqua.
I would love aqua! Gorgeous!
If I won I would chose the aqua, I LOVE that color!
LOVE these….torn on choice of color…..aqua!!
I live for the color Aqua!
Aqua!!! GORGEOUS!
I would choose aqua.
I Would Choose Aqua! Love It!
Oh I would love the Red! Would match my kitchen perfect!
I think I would choose the Aqua. It would brighten up my kitchen and my day!
I think I would choose the Aqua. It would brighten up my kitchen and my day!
I would choose aqua, my favorite color!
Oh my gosh, those dishes are amazing! I’d pick Aqua. SO pretty. Also, your recipe…YUM! I think I will try it this weekend. It looks very flavorful, and I’ve not experimented enough with quinoa though I have a container in the pantry.
I would choose aqua. Such a pretty color!
I’d love to win and aqua would be my choice. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love the aqua! It is gorgeous!
I like the red, but wow, there’s something about the blue that just grabs me. I reminds me of home.
I would definitely choose aqua!
I would love to win this gorgeous set in aqua! Thank you for the opportunity to win – and for the delicious recipe. 🙂
I would choose the aqua color..so pretty.
I would choose aqua because our whole house is painted in various shades of blue.
I would love to win this gorgeous set in aqua! Thank you for the opportunity to win – and for the delicious recipe. 🙂
I would love the aqua set.
I love it all. I am in the middle of switching my kitchen over to all aqua cookware!
I would choose the Aqua.
I would choose aqua. It is my favorite color and would match my kitchen beautifully.
I would love this in Aqua!!! These look amazing, I would love a new set
I love both but the red is really calling my name 😉
I would choose the Aqua. It is a nice bright spring color. After the dreary winter we just had I need some bright colors around me.
I LOVE the aqua!!
I LOVE the aqua!!
The aqua is so cheerful!
Aqua is one of my favorite colors!
I love the aqua but I’d have to choose red to go with my kitchen.
Aqua is one of my favorite colors!
i would love the red set!!! my kitchen is red, it would be perfect 🙂
I would choose red
Thanks for another inspiring dish, N . . . I love the new pots and the color too. Feels like spring. I’m heading to the healthier meal-planning here on out for the summer to try to lose some of my “sad” weight, and hoping for better days ahead. Cooking days!
Aqua is one of my favorite colors!
I LOVE the aqua!!
I would love to win this gorgeous set in aqua! Thank you for the opportunity to win – and for the delicious recipe. 🙂
I would choose aqua.
Aqua!!! GORGEOUS!
That color is just gorgeous and those pork chops look amazing!!!
I think I would choose the Aqua. It would brighten up my kitchen and my day!