Description
A quick, single-serving recipe for juicy, pan-seared pork chops with a garlic-butter pan sauce. This one-pan meal takes under 20 minutes and ensures zero leftovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, center-cut pork chops (approx. 6–8 oz each, 1 to 1.5 inches thick)
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted or salted butter
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme)
- 2 tbsp low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pat pork chops completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Let sit while heating the pan.
- Heat an 8-inch skillet over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes. Add olive oil and swirl to coat; oil should shimmer but not smoke.
- Place pork chops in the hot pan. Sear without moving for 3-4 minutes until a deep golden-brown crust forms. Flip and cook the second side for another 3-4 minutes, reducing heat to medium if chops are thick.
- When internal temperature reaches 145°F, reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and minced garlic to the pan. Tilt pan and baste chops with the foaming butter mixture for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
- Remove chops to a warm plate and cover loosely with foil. Pour chicken broth into the hot pan, scraping up browned bits. Bubble for 30 seconds to reduce slightly.
- Spoon the pan sauce over the chops. Let meat rest for at least 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
Ensure pork chops are patted dry to achieve a good sear. Do not crowd the pan. Resting the meat for 5 minutes is crucial for juiciness. For dairy-free, swap butter for olive oil. For variations, try adding Dijon mustard to the sauce or using apple cider instead of broth.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 chops with pan sau
- Calories: 480
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 32
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 42
Keywords: pork chops, single serving, quick dinner, one pan meal, no leftovers, weeknight dinner, easy pork recipe