Simple Ninja Foodi Grilled Pork Chops

Here are my favorite Ninja Foodi grilled pork chops, with a simple spice rub made from smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper that creates a flavorful crust on thick-cut, bone-in chops.

These pork chops have become our go-to weeknight dinner because they’re ready in under 20 minutes and always turn out juicy. My kids actually ask for these, which is saying something when it comes to pork chops, right?

What Kind of Pork Chops Should I Use?

Both bone-in and boneless pork chops work great in the Ninja Foodi, so you can really use whatever you prefer or have on hand. Bone-in chops tend to stay a bit juicier during cooking and have more flavor, while boneless chops cook a little faster and are easier to eat. For the best results, look for chops that are about 1 to 1.5 inches thick – anything thinner might dry out too quickly, and anything thicker may not cook through evenly. If you’re at the grocery store, center-cut chops are usually your best bet since they have a nice balance of meat and aren’t too fatty.

Options for Substitutions

This recipe is straightforward, but here are a few options if you need to make some swaps:

• Pork chops: Both bone-in and boneless work great here, so use whichever you prefer or have on hand. Bone-in chops tend to stay juicier during cooking, while boneless cook a bit faster. You can also use pork loin steaks if that’s what’s available.
• Pork marinade: If you don’t have a pre-made pork marinade, you can easily make your own with olive oil, garlic, herbs like rosemary or thyme, and a splash of soy sauce or Worcestershire sauce. Even a simple mix of olive oil, lemon juice, and your favorite spices works well.
• Ninja Foodi Grill: Don’t have a Ninja Foodi? You can use a regular outdoor grill, grill pan on the stovetop, or even bake the pork chops in the oven at 400°F until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling

The biggest mistake when grilling pork chops is overcooking them, which turns them dry and tough – pull them off the grill when they hit 145°F instead of waiting for 150°F, since they’ll continue cooking while they rest and reach a safe temperature.

Skipping the preheating step is another common error that leads to uneven cooking and sticking, so make sure your Ninja Foodi reaches that full 500°F before adding your meat.

Don’t flip your pork chops more than once during cooking, as constant flipping releases juices and prevents those nice grill marks from forming.

Finally, cutting into your chops right away is tempting, but those 5 minutes of rest time are crucial for letting the juices redistribute throughout the meat, keeping every bite moist and flavorful.

What to Serve With Grilled Pork Chops?

Grilled pork chops are pretty straightforward to pair with your favorite sides, and I usually go for something that balances out the savory, grilled flavor. Mashed potatoes or roasted sweet potatoes are always a hit at my table, and they soak up any extra marinade beautifully. For veggies, I like to keep it simple with roasted green beans, grilled asparagus, or a quick sautéed spinach with garlic. A fresh coleslaw or apple slaw adds a nice crunch and a bit of sweetness that works really well with pork, and if you want something even easier, just toss together a simple side salad with whatever greens you have on hand.

Storage Instructions

Store: Leftover pork chops will keep nicely in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. I like to let them cool down first before putting them away. They make great additions to salads or quick weeknight dinners throughout the week.

Freeze: You can freeze cooked pork chops for up to 3 months. Wrap each one individually in plastic wrap or foil, then place them all in a freezer bag. This way you can grab just what you need without thawing the whole batch.

Reheat: The best way to reheat these is in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to keep them from drying out. You can also use the microwave on medium power, but they won’t be quite as juicy. Add a splash of water or broth to help keep them moist while reheating.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 750-950
• Protein: 80-100 g
• Fat: 40-60 g
• Carbohydrates: 0-3 g

Ingredients

• 4 thick-cut, bone-in pork chops (approx. 1.25 inches thick)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Step 1: Prepare the Seasoning Rub and Season the Pork

• 4 thick-cut, bone-in pork chops
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper in a small bowl to create your seasoning rub.

Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels—this is crucial for getting a good sear and helps the seasoning adhere better.

Rub both sides of each pork chop generously with olive oil, then coat thoroughly with the seasoning mixture, pressing gently so it adheres well.

Let the seasoned pork chops sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while you prep the grill; this allows the meat to cook more evenly.

Step 2: Preheat the Ninja Foodi Grill

Insert the grill grate into your Ninja Foodi unit and set it to high heat at 500°F.

Let it preheat for the full 15 minutes—this ensures the grate is hot enough to create a beautiful crust on the pork chops and develop those coveted grill marks.

A properly preheated grill is essential for locking in juices and building flavor.

Step 3: Sear the Pork Chops – First Side

• seasoned pork chops from Step 1

Carefully place the seasoned pork chops directly onto the hot grate and close the lid immediately.

Grill for 7-8 minutes without moving them—this allows the heat to create a flavorful crust and cook the meat through on the first side.

Avoid the temptation to flip early; patience here creates better browning and flavor development.

Step 4: Finish Cooking and Check Temperature

• seared pork chops from Step 3

Flip the pork chops and close the lid again.

Grill for an additional 5 minutes, then check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop (away from the bone).

I prefer to pull my pork chops at 150°F for a slightly pink center that stays juicy—they’ll continue cooking slightly while resting.

If you prefer them more well-done, grill a bit longer until you reach your target temperature.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

• cooked pork chops from Step 4

Transfer the cooked pork chops to a clean plate and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

This resting period is vital—it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite stays tender and flavorful rather than dry.

Serve immediately while still warm.

Simple Ninja Foodi Grilled Pork Chops

Delicious Simple Ninja Foodi Grilled Pork Chops recipe with step-by-step instructions.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings 4 servings

Calories 850 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 4 thick-cut, bone-in pork chops (approx. 1.25 inches thick)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Instructions

 

• Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper in a small bowl to create your seasoning rub. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels—this is crucial for getting a good sear and helps the seasoning adhere better. Rub both sides of each pork chop generously with olive oil, then coat thoroughly with the seasoning mixture, pressing gently so it adheres well. Let the seasoned pork chops sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes while you prep the grill; this allows the meat to cook more evenly.
• Insert the grill grate into your Ninja Foodi unit and set it to high heat at 500°F. Let it preheat for the full 15 minutes—this ensures the grate is hot enough to create a beautiful crust on the pork chops and develop those coveted grill marks. A properly preheated grill is essential for locking in juices and building flavor.
• Carefully place the seasoned pork chops directly onto the hot grate and close the lid immediately. Grill for 7-8 minutes without moving them—this allows the heat to create a flavorful crust and cook the meat through on the first side. Avoid the temptation to flip early; patience here creates better browning and flavor development.
• Flip the pork chops and close the lid again. Grill for an additional 5 minutes, then check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chop (away from the bone). I prefer to pull my pork chops at 150°F for a slightly pink center that stays juicy—they'll continue cooking slightly while resting. If you prefer them more well-done, grill a bit longer until you reach your target temperature.
• Transfer the cooked pork chops to a clean plate and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting period is vital—it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite stays tender and flavorful rather than dry. Serve immediately while still warm.