Oven Pork Chops
on Oct 07, 2023
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Pork chops are often seen as a tricky recipe to get right, but these quick and easy Oven Pork Chops take all the stress away! These savory, juicy, flavorful pork chops are perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and busy weeknights.
If you have found yourself intimidated by preparing a pork chop that doesn’t end up tough and chewy then have no fear! This quick and easy oven baked pork chop recipe is the last one you will ever need.
Oven Pork Chops
These pork chops come together in under an hour and have a delicious, sweet, crunchy exterior that pairs beautifully with a savory, juicy interior. One of our favorite things about this recipe is how versatile it is. You can serve these pork chops with anything from soup to salad to macaroni and cheese, making it the perfect dinner dish for busy nights.
Table of Contents
We Love This Dish Because It…
- Is quick and easy.
- Uses just a handful of low cost ingredients.
- Can be prepared ahead of time.
Ingredient Notes
- Pork Chops—Boneless.
- Olive Oil—Acts as a binding agent between the pork chops and spices..
- Spice Blend—A flavorful blend of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Brown Sugar—Balances out the sharpness of the garlic and paprika. Gives the pork chops a nice sweet crunch.
How to Make Oven Pork Chops
- Preheat the oven and pat each pork chop dry with a paper towel.
- Place the pork chops in a large baking dish and brush the tops of each pork chop with olive oil.
- Whisk together the spice blend and brown sugar in a small bowl until well combined. Use your hands to work the spice mix into each pork chop.
- Transfer the pork chops to the oven and cook until no longer pink in the middle and cooked all the way through.
- Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
It is important to pat your pork chops dry because you want to remove as much surface moisture from the meat as possible. Surface moisture will cause the meat to steam, preventing that beautiful sear or golden brown finish you are going for. The olive oil, while liquid, does not create steam that interferes with the cooking process.
When it comes to whether or not you should cover your pork chops while they cook, there is no right answer. At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference. If you want a crunchier, more golden brown finish on your pork chops then cooking them uncovered is the best option. However, if you want a more tender pork chop then you will want the steam that is created from covering them. Covering your pork chops with aluminum foil will also reduce the cook time.
If you are having trouble with dry pork chops you may need to add more moisture to the dish. To do this, simply throw a few tablespoons of butter into the baking dish as you put the pork chops in the oven. The butter will melt and seep into the pork chops, giving them both flavor and moisture.
How to Serve Your Pork Chops
We recommend serving one or two pork chops per person depending on their size. These juicy pork chops can be served alongside a wide array of dishes including mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, air fryer vegetables, macaroni and cheese, etc. Pork chops are an extremely versatile dish so it’s hard to go wrong with your sides. That is one of the things that makes this dish so great for busy weeknights!
How to Store Leftovers Pork Chops
While these pork chops are best served fresh, you can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Simply transfer the chops to an airtight container. Reheating your leftovers couldn’t be easier. Place one or two pieces of meat on a microwave safe plate and cover them with a paper towel. Microwave your leftovers for a minute and half to two minutes, or until they are heated all the way through. It is also important to note that you can store these pork chops uncooked in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Simply pat the pork chops dry, coat them in the spice mix, place them in the baking dish, and cover the dish with plastic wrap.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Make sure that your pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F. You don’t want to let them cook too far past this temperature because they will quickly begin to lose moisture, making them tough.
- The spice mix is easy to customize. For a spicier mix, add 1 tablespoon of cayenne chili powder. Alternatively, you can top your pork chops with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Coating the pork chops in oil helps the spice mix bind to the meat, giving the exterior a nice texture. The outer coating also helps to prevent a barrier that prevents moisture from escaping the pork chops as they cook.
More Recipes
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Oven Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 8 boneless pork chops, about 1 inch thick
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons coarse sea salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- Pat each boneless pork chop dry with paper towels and set them in a 9×13 inch baking pan. Use a pastry brush to coat the tops of each pork chop in olive oil.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, black pepper, sea salt, paprika, and garlic powder. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the top of the pork chops and use your hands to rub it into each pork chop.
- Transfer the baking pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Store your leftover pork chops in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat the pork chops in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes.
- We like a sweet rub for our pork chops, but this seasoning mix is easy to customize.
- For a spicier mix, add 1 teaspoon of cayenne chili powder. Alternatively, you can top your pork chops with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
- Make sure your pork chops reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F before serving them.
- These pork chops are great served with a side of steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, or a side salad.
- Coating the pork chops in olive oil helps give the pork a nice texture on the outside and serves as a binding agent between the pork chops and the spices.
Nutrition
While pork chops are commonly perceived as a challenging dish to master, our simple oven pork chops effortlessly eliminate the stress. These delectable, succulent, and well-seasoned pork chops are an excellent choice for potlucks, family get-togethers, and hectic weeknight dinners.
After sitting overnight in the fridge and reheated, these were really good. Sweet heat. Will make again!