Juicy Skillet Pork Chops are a great way to make pork taste good. First, I cook them quickly in a hot pan until they get a nice brown outside. This makes them juicy and full of flavor.
You will also like Pork Rolls, Pork Tenderloin, Chicharrones, and Chicken Sandwich.
I add onion, pepper, garlic, and thyme to make them even better. While they're cooking, they make their juices. I use these juices to make a delicious sauce by blending them all. The result? Delicious pork chops that you'll want to eat more of!
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⭐Why You'll Love This Juicy Skillet Pork Chops Recipe
Here are a few reasons to fall in love with this recipe:
- One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in one skillet, minimizing cleanup and making it a convenient option for busy weeknights.
- Impressive Yet Easy: While this recipe yields impressive results, it's straightforward and easy to make, even for beginner cooks.
- Aromatic and Delicious: The combination of onions, garlic, spices, and herbs creates a flavorful sauce that infuses the pork chops with delicious taste and aroma.
- Satisfying and Filling: With juicy pork chops and flavorful vegetables, this dish is hearty and filling, satisfying even the heartiest appetites.
- Family-Friendly: Loved by both kids and adults alike, juicy skillet pork chops are sure to become a family favorite meal option.
If you want more comfort food you should check out Chicken One-Pot Rice(Spanish Rice Recipe) and Lentil Soup.
🧾Ingredients
Here is a list of everything you need.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides fat for cooking and adds flavor to the dish. You can substitute olive oil with butter or with any cooking oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil.
- Pork: Main protein source; provides flavor and texture to the dish. You can use chicken breast or thighs or lamb chops as alternatives to pork chops.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the pork chops and other ingredients.
- Black Pepper Powder: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to the dish.
- Onions: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Red Pepper: Adds color, sweetness, and a mild heat to the dish.
- Garlic Cloves: Adds aromatic flavor to the dish and complements the other ingredients.
- Carrots: Adds sweetness, texture, and color to the dish.
- Cumin Powder: Adds warm, earthy flavor and depth to the dish.
- Pepper: Enhances the flavor of the pork chops and other ingredients.
- Wine Vinegar: Adds acidity and tanginess to the dish, balancing the flavors.
- Bay Leaves: Adds herbal flavor and aroma to the dish.
- Cinnamon Stick: Adds warmth and a subtle spicy-sweet flavor to the dish.
- Water: Provides liquid for simmering and helps create a flavorful sauce. You can substitute water with chicken broth, vegetable broth, beef broth, or even white wine for added flavor.
- Dried Thyme: Adds herbal flavor and aroma to the dish, enhancing the overall taste profile.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Juicy Skillet Pork Chops
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. In a spacious skillet, warm the extra virgin olive oil over a medium flame before introducing the pork chops.
2. Season the pork chops generously with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
3. Cook the pork chops on each side for approximately 3-4 minutes, ensuring they acquire a beautiful golden-brown crust.
4. Take out the pork chops from the skillet and place them aside for a moment.
5. In the skillet, toss in the thinly sliced onions and sprinkle them with salt. Let them cook until they turn soft and translucent, which should take approximately 5 minutes.
6. Incorporate the sliced red pepper into the skillet and cook until tender, which typically takes around 4 minutes.
7. Finely chop the garlic cloves, then toss them into the skillet and sauté for about 2 minutes until they become fragrant.
8. Cut the carrots into slices and include them in the skillet. Let them cook for an extra 3-4 minutes until the vegetables reach a slightly softened state.
9. Add cumin powder and pepper evenly onto the sautéed vegetables. Stir thoroughly to ensure they are well incorporated.
10. Drizzle the wine vinegar into the skillet, then toss in the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Stir everything together until thoroughly combined.
11. Place the seared pork chops back into the skillet, arranging them neatly on top of the vegetables.
12. Add the water to the skillet, making sure the pork chops are partially immersed in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
13. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover the skillet with a lid, and allow the pork chops to simmer for approximately 10 minutes.
14. Flip the pork chops over and let them simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
15. Take out the cooked pork chops from the skillet and place them aside. Dispose of the bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
16. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a blender and blend until you achieve a smooth sauce-like consistency.
17. Return the blended vegetable sauce to the skillet. Reintroduce the cooked pork chops, then season with dried thyme. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
18. Turn over the pork chops and continue simmering for an additional 5 minutes or until they are fully cooked and tender.
19. Present the succulent skillet pork chops piping hot alongside a side of creamy potato purée.
📖Variations
- Mushroom and Onion Pork Chops: Sauté sliced mushrooms, garlic, and onions in the skillet until caramelized, then add the pork chops to the pan and cook them together for a rich and savory dish.
- Tomato Basil Pork Chops: Sauté diced tomatoes, garlic, and onion in the skillet until softened. Stir in chopped fresh basil and a splash of balsamic vinegar, add the pork chops then simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Spicy BBQ Sauce: Combine ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in a saucepan. Simmer until thickened, then add the cooked pork chops and cover them with the spicy BBQ sauce.
- Apple Cider Glaze: Deglaze the skillet with apple cider vinegar and chicken broth, then stir in a tablespoon of Dijon mustard and a drizzle of honey. Simmer until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly. Serve the pork chops with the apple cider glaze spooned over the top.
- Honey Garlic Glaze: Combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a splash of chicken broth in a saucepan. Simmer until the sauce thickens, then drizzle it over the pork chops for a sticky and flavorful glaze.
🔪Equipment
Check out all of my kitchen essentials in my Amazon Store! You can find the equipment I use in this recipe: Frying Pan, Salt and Pepper Grinde, Tongs, Knife, Cutting Board, Spatula, Peeler, Jug and Electric Hand Blender.
🍽 How to Serve
- With Mashed Potatoes: Serve the pork chops alongside creamy mashed potatoes for a classic and comforting meal.
- Over Rice: Spoon some of the flavorful sauce from the skillet over cooked rice and place the pork chops on top for a satisfying and filling dish.
- With Crusty Bread: Serve the pork chops with slices of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce from the skillet for a satisfying and rustic meal.
- With a Fresh Salad: Serve the pork chops with a crisp Waldorf Salad or Pasta Salad for a refreshing and light meal option.
- With Potatoes: Serve the pork chops with a side of Bubble Potato Pillows or Crispy Smashed Potatoes.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Preheat the Skillet: Make sure your skillet is nice and hot before adding the pork chops. A hot skillet ensures a good sear on the meat, sealing in the juices and creating a flavorful crust.
Sear the Pork Chops: Sear the pork chops on one side without moving them for about 3-4 minutes, until nicely browned. Then, flip them and sear the other side. Avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure even browning.
Simmer Gently: Lower the heat and let the pork chops simmer gently in the liquid until they are cooked through. Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness.
Storage: Cool leftover Pork Chops to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
❓FAQ
The secret to juicy tender Pork Chops is to choose thick cuts, brine or marinate them beforehand, cook them just until they reach the right temperature, and allow them to rest before serving.
It is generally better to pan-fry Pork Chops in oil due to its higher smoke point and ability to achieve a crispy exterior, while butter adds richness and flavor but has a lower smoke point and may burn more easily.
It is generally better to fry Pork Chops fast over medium-high heat to quickly develop a golden brown crust while sealing in the juices, ensuring they remain tender and juicy.
Yes, you can freeze leftover pork chops for longer-term storage. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
🍛More Comfort Food Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite comfort food recipes! Try these:
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🎥Watch my Videos
This video will show you the details and step-by-step instructions for making this fantastic mouthwatering Pork Tenderloin!
📖 Recipe
Juicy Skillet Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 kg Pork
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
- 3 Onions
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 Red Pepper
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- 2 Carrots
- 1 teaspoon Cumin Powder
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Wine Vinegar
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 Cinnamon Stick
- ½ l Water
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat and add the pork chops.
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
- Sear the pork chops for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they develop a golden brown crust.
- Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set them aside.
- Thinly slice an onion.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and season with salt. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Thinly slice a red pepper.
- Add the sliced red pepper and cook until soft about 4 minutes.
- Mince the garlic cloves, add to the skillet and sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Slice the carrots and add to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the vegetables are slightly softened.
- Sprinkle the cumin powder and pepper over the sautéed vegetables. Stir well to combine.
- Pour in the wine vinegar and add the bay leaves and cinnamon stick to the skillet. Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Return the seared pork chops to the skillet, arranging them on top of the vegetables.
- Pour the water into the skillet, ensuring that the pork chops are partially submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let the pork chops simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Flip the pork chop and simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Remove the cooked pork chops from the skillet and set them aside. Discard the bay leaves and cinnamon stick.
- Add the cooked vegetables into a jug and blend until a smooth sauce.
- Pour the vegetable sauce back into the skillet.
- Add the cooked pork chops back to the skillet and season with dried thyme. Cover the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Flip the pork chop and simmer for another 5 minutes or until they are cooked through and tender.
- Serve the juicy skillet pork chops hot with potato puree.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
I never thought skillet pork chops could be this juicy. Searing them first is the key! The pan sauce was the perfect finishing touch.