Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Low Calorie Crockpot Pork Chops!!

It was crockpot day again at my apartment, and this time I decided to try crockpot pork chops. Usually I am not a fan of pork chops because most methods to prepare them use a lot of salt. The challenge here was to create a recipe that was low in salt but somehow keep the pork chops moist. Here is the recipe, I hope you like it!!


You will need:

  • 1 small onion, diced (a little more than 1 cup)
  • 4 potatoes of your choice, I used 1 medium sweet potato and three red potatoes, sliced into chunks
  • 10.5 ounces (approx. 1 1/3 cups) organic chicken broth, you can substitute one can 10 3/4 ounces cream of chicken soup but it will vastly increase the sodium content of the recipe 
  • 4 boneless, skinless pork chops

Layer onions and potatoes at the bottom of the crockpot. 

Next, pour half of the chicken broth over the potatoes and onions. 

Then, place pork chops on top of onions and potatoes, or for extremely moist pork chops place the pork chops at the bottom of the crockpot and then layer onions and potatoes. Pour the remaining chicken broth on top of the pork chops. 


Turn crockpot on and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or on high for 3 to 4 hours. 

This makes four enough for four servings. I had cut up broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots along with my pork chop and potato. I hope you enjoy this quick and easy recipe!! Have an awesome day!!

If you make them tag me on instagram and use the hashtag #thesimplelife and go like my new page on Facebook!

Nutrition (Per Serving):
MACROS: 24C/8F/28P
Nutrition Facts
Servings 4.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 284
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8 g13 %
Saturated Fat 3 g13 %
Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 75 mg25 %
Sodium 113 mg5 %
Potassium 605 mg17 %
Total Carbohydrate 24 g8 %
Dietary Fiber 2 g7 %
Sugars 2 g
Protein 28 g56 %
Vitamin A0 %
Vitamin C20 %
Calcium1 %
Iron7 %

83 comments:

  1. Did you use any spices or anything?

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    1. I did not use any spices, but I have had friends use my recipe and they sprinkled the pork chops with salt and pepper. One friend even glazed them with an apple glaze prior to putting them in the slow cooker- the apple glaze was really good, but it does change the nutritional info just so you know. I hope that helps answer your question!

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  2. Hi! Any idea how much protein per serving?
    Thanks!

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    1. Hello! Sorry I forgot to include that (I have since updated it), there are 29 grams of protein! Thanks for checking out by my blog!

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  3. do you have to place the plastic lining on the crockpot?

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    1. You definitely don't have to use a crockpot liner! I use them because I find it makes cleanup 10x easier.

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    2. This is the first time I've heard about the liners! Thanks for the recipe. Jackie x

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    3. Crockpot liners are the best Jackie! They make clean up so quick and easy. I've been able to find them at almost every grocery store, typically they're by the tinfoil and plastic wrap or the food storage section. I hope you can find them! Have a great weekend!

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  4. Total neophyte to cooking. Do I cover or leave uncovered?

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  6. Hi, When did you add the broccoli and other vegetables, at the same time or later in the day?

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    1. I added all of the veggies in at the same time and then put the pork chops on top of the veggies and turned the crockpot on (after putting the lid on of course). I hope that helps! Have a wonderful day!

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  7. If I put the vegetables on top would it have to cook longer thus drying out the pork chops?

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  8. I mean the broccoli and carrots.

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    1. You would not have to cook it any longer by placing the vegetables on top of the pork chops. I have found by tweaking this recipe in my personal use that placing the pork at the bottom of the crockpot and then adding the vegetables actually makes the pork moister because it is completely submerged in liquid. I hope that helps! Thank you for stopping by my blog and have a wonderful day!

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  9. Replies
    1. One pork chop and about 1/2 cup of vegetables equals one serving.

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  10. I would have to add seasonings to this recipe. It must be incredibly bland.

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    1. You can definitely add seasoning. When I made this recipe I had to make it plain- my father cannot stand spices (he's a very picky eater). I like to add some garlic, pepper and basil, but you can add whatever you like.

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  11. Hi! I was wondering if you thawed the meat first or simply put it in the crockpot frozen? Thanks!

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    1. Hello! You can definitely put frozen meat in the crockpot. Just be sure to check it before serving to make sure it's done. I've never had a problem using frozen meat though! Thanks for checking out my blog, have a wonderful day :)

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  12. Do you use fresh or frozen broccoli?

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    1. You can use either, it does not matter! Normally I go with whatever is on sale :) Thank you for stopping by my blog and have a wonderful day!

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  13. If I use cream of chicken do I need to add water?

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    1. I would add between 1/3 and 1/2 cup water if you are using cream of chicken soup, but you do not have too. The water will help keep all the vegetables moist. Thank you for stopping by my blog, have a great day!

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  14. Is there any other broth or soup that would be good , other than chicken ? Could I use BBQ sauce and if so how much ? Thank you !

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    1. You can definitely use chicken or vegetable broth- I always go organic and low sodium when I do that. I am sure you could use other soups, but I have not tried them myself so I can't say how it tastes. As for BBQ sauce I really can't say. I don't use BBQ sauce (most of them contain gluten which I can't eat). I'm sorry, but I would say try between 1/2 cup and 1 cup. You don't want to smother the pork chops but you want enough so they absorb the flavor and aren't dry. I'm sorry I can't be of more help! Thank you for stopping by my blog and have a wonderful day!

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  15. Great recipe. Thanks for sharing. :)

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    1. No, thank YOU for checking out my blog!! I hope you have a fantastic day!

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  16. By putting the potatoes in at the same time wouldn't the potatoes be mushy when it's done

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    1. I've never had a problem with the potatoes being mushy. They get ready tender and soft, but if you're worried about them being mushy I'm sure you could add them in later on. I would guess an hour or hour and a half before eating but I've never done that. I hope that helps! Have a wonderful day!

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    2. Thank u. I just went ahead and added everything at the same time and I added carrots and used garlic pepper seasoning. We trying it tonight 😃

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    3. I hope you enjoy it and everything is perfectly tender for you!! Let me know how it turns out :)

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  17. Replies
    1. Hi Teena- carbs are going to depend on what kind of potatoes (as well as the size) you use, as well at the other ingredients. But for the size of the potatoes I used its 24grams carbs per serving. I just posted full nutrition facts, I hope that helps!

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  19. can you layer it if package has 6 pork chops and my crockpot is a long oval

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    1. Yes you can layer it, but make sure to spread some of the onion between the layers. I hope that helps you!

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  20. Hi! Did you peel the potatoes or just chop and throw in?
    Thanks!

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    1. Hi Kelcy! I didn't peel the potatoes, but if you prefer yours peeled you can definitely do that. It's all about personal preference :) thanks for checking out my blog and have a wonderful day!!

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  21. I just put this in the crockpot for dinner tonight. Sounds yummy.

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    1. I hope it turned out well for you Paulette!! Let me know!! I like to add lots of spices in, but my dad is a plain meat and potatoes man so this is one of his favorites!

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  22. This ended up turning into a stew for me. I added some gravy mix to the liquid at the end. The sweet potatoes are a good touch but they should be added about halfway through the cooking process. They turned to mush pretty much. Still very tasty.

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    1. I'm sorry it turned into stew for you, I've made this many times and never had that happen. How long did you leave everything in the slow cooker? Some slow cookers are more powerful than others and can cook things a lot faster. My crockpot is pretty bare bones, but I've never had the potatoes turn to mush. I'm so sorry you had that problem! Let me know about the cook time because I'd love to experiment and figure out what happened for you!

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    2. I wonder whether the size of the potato chunks makes the difference here. Seems to me if you cut them pretty small, it could turn into more of a stew

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  23. I'm not the one that usually does the cooking....but since I'm off from work decided to try this and of course I am pretty sure I added too much chicken broth! Thats OK right?!?!😔

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    1. The chicken broth just makes the meat and veggies tender, so that's absolutely fine :)

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  24. would this recipe work with pork lion as well???

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    1. I've done it with pork loin and its come out really good! Just make sure that the pork loin has a decent amount of broth covering it so it gets really moist and tender. Let me know how it turns out for you!! Have a great night :)

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  25. I made this for dinner tonight and it was WONDERFUL! I added absolutely nothing and everything was so very tender. Thanks for sharing your great recipe!

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    1. I am so glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for your kind comment, have a great week!

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  26. Does anyone have an after pic once this is cooked? I make my pot roast similar to this..I was thinking of putting pork chops on bottom potatoes, carrots, onion, on top but I'm also debating if I should add a bag of frozen broccoli, cauliflower mixes in with the potatoes and carrots? And use a combo of cream of chicken and chicken broth... Idk just wish I could see a final pic? ��☺️

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    1. Hi Stephanie! The very first picture at the bottom is what it looks like cooked. You can definitely layer it however you like, but I find that layering the onions at the bottom gives the pork chops the most flavor. Definitely add in whatever vegetables you like, but fair warning I wouldn't add cauliflower and broccoli in for the entire cook time because it will get mushy. I would add it in toward the end of the cooking time. I hope that helps you somewhat!

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  27. Can you use bone in pork chops.
    Thanks for the reply.
    Barb

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    1. Hi Barb- I have never used bone in pork chops, but I don't see why you couldn't!

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  28. It is really tough finding new dinner ideas for my Dad. Because of health issues he is on a very low sodium diet, has to avoid acidic foods, and he needs easy to chew foods. Fortunately he is not a picky eater. This recipe sounds like it will work. I love Crock Pot recipes where you just throw in all the ingredients.

    Do you have any ideas on cooking the pork with apples? I am trying to come up with several variations of pork roast in the crock pot.

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    1. I'm sorry to hear about your dad, I know how hard it is to live with dietary restrictions. Crockpot recipes are a life saver, plus I love that cleanup is minimal! You can use pork loin and make slices in the top and stick apple slices in the folds, it will give the pork loin an amazing flavor and make it so moist! I still put some low sodium chicken or veggie broth in the crockpot to give it extra moisture and make super tender. You can also use pork chops and place the apple slices on top and a few under the pork chops and it will give the meat the same flavor, but personally I prefer to use pork loin. I hope that helps!! Let me know if you make it and how it turns out!!

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  29. I was looking for a simple crock pot pork chop recipe and ran across yours and your blog so I'm going to try it today. I'm supposed to be watching my cholesterol and I wondered why this recipe shows the cholesterol as 75, which seems high? Thanks!

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    1. Hi Patricia! Thank you for your sweet comment- the nutrition info will vary depending on what you use. I don't know much about watching cholesterol, but you can input your ingredients into the food calculator on myfitnesspal and it will give you the info for cholesterol in the recipe and a daily range to aim for- for example mine show 300mg a day. I hope that's semi helpful to you, I'm sorry I can't be of more help on cholesterol! If you make it I hope you like it!

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  30. Can I use bone-in pork chops? Will that add to the cooking time?

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    1. I've never used pork chops that have the bone in them, but I' have had readers do it and say it works and the cooking time was not affected.

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  31. Hello! Not sure if you'll see this or not but I'd like to try this. It's only two of us eating this so I'd only be using two pork chops. Does the liquid need to cover all the ingredients? I'll be cooking it on low for 8 hours. I read one comment about it becoming a stew so I'm not sure if that person used too much liquid or not. Thanks for reading this!

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  32. Hello! Not sure if you'll see this or not but I'd like to try this. It's only two of us eating this so I'd only be using two pork chops. Does the liquid need to cover all the ingredients? I'll be cooking it on low for 8 hours. I read one comment about it becoming a stew so I'm not sure if that person used too much liquid or not. Thanks for reading this!

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    1. Hi Shelby! You will want to use less liquid if you're only doing two pork chops, but you will want to use some liquid- some people have done it without the liquid and the pork chops will not be nearly as tender without it. Since you're only use two pork chops, I would try using half, or less, of the liquid. Try to eyeball it because the initial ingredients will shrink and your pork chops will get into the liquid but you don't want to use too little. I hope that all makes sense and your pork chops turn out good! Let me know what happens :)

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  33. What would be the cook time if I'm using frozen meat?

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    1. Yes the cook time should be the same! I've used frozen meat before and as long as I have the setting on high I've never had a problem with it being done in time :)

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  34. I added onion soup mix on top of carrots and potatoes and added my pork chops. I seasoned my pork chops too. After 2hrs I mixed it together. So good and moist. My family loved it.

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    1. That sounds so good and like it would be so moist!! I'm definitely going to have to try adding the soup mix on top, thanks for the tip!

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  35. Thank you for a version that does NOT have cream of anything soup!! I haven't cooked w/ canned soups for many years and immediately move onto the next recipe if I see it in a recipe.

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    1. You're so welcome! I can't have- and my family- doesn't like cream of anything soup so I do the same thing when looking for recipes. I hope you and your family enjoy :)

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  36. Does your calorie count serving include the potatoes and onions or just for the meat alone?

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    1. It does include the potatoes and onion, but the potatoes I used were very small so calorie content will depend on size of potatoes you use and how much you eat with the meal.

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  37. I'm going to try this - I've been looking for a recipe that will result in moist pork chops, since pork can really dry out. If I doubled the recipe would I need more cook time? Thanks

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    1. You shouldn't need more cook time, crockpots tend to cook very evenly! You will probably want to double or triple the amount of chicken broth you use though so it's not dry.

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    2. Trying it today - just got it started! I also added some cut-up Hubbard squash because I had it on hand & it just sounded good! Thanks for the recipe

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    3. Squash in there sounds amazing! Let me know how you like it!!

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    4. The whole thing was fabulous & the squash worked really well too. We also had applesauce as a side, since it goes so well with pork.

      Some of the chops fell apart but that's because I cooked them about 2 hours longer than necessary because we had a bunch of things happening & it just worked out that way. But that didn't matter, really.


      It's delicious!

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  38. My crock pot tends to be sticking here lately and i use the liners also and they even stick to the bottom, so I am afraid to put my pork chops on the bottom by themselves. What do you recomend??

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    1. If you don’t want to use a liner spray nonstick cook spray on the bottom of your crockpot, spray a good amount and you shouldn’t stick!

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  39. Pinned this recipe over a year ago and it’s a winner for my family. :) I’ve made it multiple times.
    Making it tonight with red potatoes (skin on), onion, and baby carrots.

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