Chipotle Honey Butter Basted
Southwestern Stuffed Pork Chops

The side of each pork chop is wrapped with two strips of thick bacon.

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 (2 inch thick) center cut pork chops
2 ounces Challenge Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup corn kernels
4 ounces canned or fresh roasted green chiles
2 green onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed and divided
1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
8 strips thick cut bacon
8 tablespoons (1 stick) Salted Challenge Butter, melted
1/2 to 1 chipotle (canned in adobo sauce) diced, + 1 teaspoon of the adobo sauce from the can
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 cup fresh cilantro

Heat grill to 400 degrees F.
Create a pocket in each chops by inserting a paring knife into the side of each chop. Rock the knife back and forth to create enough room for the filling.
In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, corn, chiies, green onions and 2 cloves garlic. Stir until well combined.
Using a spoon, stuff each chop with cream cheese mixture.
Season all sides of chops with salt and pepper.
Wrap the side of each chop with strips of bacon, securing with wooden picks if needed.
Meanwhile, make the Chipotle Honey Basting Butter.
Combine butter with chipotle, adobo remaining 2 cloves garlic and the honey.
Place chops on the grill. Cook on all sides for 2 to 3 minutes to brown the bacon.
Lower heat to 300 degrees F. Continue cooking chops until the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Do not overcook.
During the last 10 minutes of grilling, baste chops several times with the Chipotle Honey Basting Butter.
Remove chops from grill and baste once again with Chipotle Honey Basting Butter. Place chops on a plate tented with a piece of tinfoil. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
To serve, place chops on serving plate and garnish with a sprinkle of cilantro. Serve any extra Chipotle Honey Basting Butter on the side as a dipping sauce.

Chef's Tips

Make sure to use a thick cut of bacon for this recipe. The bacon needs to stand up to a long cook time, thin bacon will just burn.
Considering buying a whole pork loin and cut your chops yourself. This is a good money saving idea, and a good way to get the correct thickness.
In this recipe, one canned chipotle is all that is needed. The remaining chipotles can be put in a freezer bag and be frozen to use for another recipe.
Don’t throw away the sauce that comes in the can with the chipotles! That flavor packed sauce can be used for marinades, salad dressings and barbecue sauces.
For extra flavor, place a fresh cob of corn on the grill to add some charred flavor. Remove kernels from corn cob and use in this recipe!
For extra spicy chops, swap out the chilies for jalapenos to pump up the heat!

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Challenge Dairy
Recipe by: Anthony Serrano