Juicy Skillet Pork Chops
Thick cut, juicy skillet pork chops are a favorite in our house—perfect for a busy weeknight, and fall-off-the-bone tender!
I was flipping by Food Network the other day and managed to catch an episode of Good Eats where Alton Brown was busy searing a couple of thick pork chops in preparation for a few hours’ roasting in a slow cooker.
He had sliced apples and caramelized onions ready to go, along with a pan sauce that was lovingly finished off with butter and scraped bits from the bottom of the pan. Mmm…
It looked wonderful and warm and comforting. A recipe I tucked away for a slow weekend when the weather’s crisp, blustery, and maybe even snowy.
But those pork chops! Thick, juicy, and seared just enough to make a nice crust; we needed to have those SOON. Like during a busy week, and with simple accouterments like salad, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob.
Yes. Exactly that. An easy dinner recipe for a crazy-busy weeknight.
- 2 thick cut (1.5-2″), bone-in pork chops*
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- Add the olive oil and butter to a large skillet (preferably cast iron) and place it over medium heat.
- Sprinkle half the salt and pepper to one side of the pork chops. When the butter’s melted and it starts to look foamy, add the pork chops to the skillet, seasoned-side down. Season the other side with the remaining salt and pepper.
- Allow the pork chops to sear for 5 minutes, and then flip them. Continue cooking the pork chops on the second side for 10 minutes, and then flip the pork chops one more time.
- Cover the skillet, cook them for 5 minutes more, and then remove the pork chops to a plate to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tracy Lee
Could you use all olive oil instead of half oil/half butter?
Liza Hawkins
Hi Tracy! Yep! Just olive oil is fine. 😀
Meka
I just came across this recipe as I plan to make pork chops tonight. Looks easy enough. Thanks!!
Liza Hawkins
Great! Hope you love it!
Lanissa
HI! I tried this recipe and LOVED it. It was a hit with my husband, which is awesome as once he is the cook of the house hehe! Could I also do this recipe with boneless pork chops though?
Thank you!
Lanissa Spoon
Liza Hawkins
Hi Lanissa! Yep, you can — just be cognizant of the thickness in terms of cooking times. Also, boneless chops have a tendency to get dryer, faster if you do overcook them a bit. I’m a big fan of searing just about any cut of meat!
Lori
Hi Liza
I made these pork chops today and followed your recipe verbatim. They were by far the best chops I’ve ever had. Classic recipe. Simple with no sauce. Just amazing. I paired mine with fresh cut cucumber drizzled with a light lemon vinaigrette! Satisfied reader!
Liza Hawkins
Excellent! As long as the simple instructions are followed, they’re basically foolproof! Love the cucumber salad — sounds delish!
Pingback: Pork Chop! – Eating on a Budget
Barbara Kountzman
Tried tonight. Delicious. Husband loved will make again.
Liza Hawkins
Great!
Melissa DeFuentes
Do you keep adding the oil and butter each time for each pork chop? Mine are kinda big.
Liza Hawkins
Sometimes I do! Depends on how the pan looks. I’m not sure there’s such a thing as too much butter… 😉
Melisa Whitecotton
Can you use think cut bone in pork chops? I’m guessing cooking time would be different.
Liza Hawkins
Yep. If your pork chops are an inch thick, I’d do about five minutes per side, and then let them rest for five minutes. If they’re even thinner, you’d probably only need to cook for two to three minutes per side.
Melinda Newton
I will write the common after have practice it. Thanks!
Sharon B
I followed your recipe verbatim . I put 2 pork chops at a time in the cast iron skillet, I cooked a total of 8. My family made their plates and ALL the porks chops were so so tough. I couldn’t believe it they all looked so good on the plate but so tough to bite or cut into them. I don’t understand (medium heat, 5min turn, 10min turn, 5min covered, then 5 mins resting on a plate) simple right….. my question is could you please tell me why they were all tough? Oh and yes olive oil and butter were used.
Liza Hawkins
Sounds to me like you may have cooked them too long. How thick were the chops? Could be that they weren’t as thick as the ones I used. I’ll update the recipe to be more specific about that.
Lucy
Loved them the first time and my husband requested them when he found out I was cooking pork chops! I love that!! You are making life simple & delicious. I decided to do the Cucumbers too. Thank you LISA & Lori!
Renee
These pork chops were amazing! We had friends for dinner, and heard rave reviews. Simple and delicious. I will definitely make these again.
Liza Hawkins
Wonderful!
Dan
I made this recipe with extra thick cut boneless chops. It turned out so amazing, that I’ve added it to my lineup of easy-to-make, delicious meals. Thanks for the pork chop inspiration!
Liza Hawkins
Great! I’m so glad!
Pingback: Behind The Scenes Look At Winning A Cook-Off - Pursuit of it All
Judy Ashdown
I have broiled, pan fried, bbq’d and always ate dried out meat I figured it was me, has been two years since i ate a pork chop. My chops were a bit thinner so did 4 and 7 finishing with the 5 minutes covered. They were perfection seriously thank you for such a simple recipe with great results.
Jennifer Gerlock
You are absolutely welcome! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
MAGULO
This is my most favorite pork chop recipe. So simple but so tasty!
Liza Hawkins
Thank you!!
Helga
I need a recipe for thick boneless loin chops that is a guarantee to come out juicy & fall apart
Jennifer Gerlock
We hope you enjoy!!
Ann DeBlaey
Thanks for the nice recipe. Its just me that eats the chops so this was easy enough 🙂
Harold Burton
Love this recipe! We use it quite often. I double the carrots and celery and add minced onion flakes to it and use Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice. After a couple hours check it to see if it needs a little bit more water added.
Harold Burton