Baked Garlic Lemon Pork Chops Recipe
Introduction
Baked Garlic Lemon Pork Chops are a flavorful and tender main dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. With a zesty lemon garlic sauce and just the right seasoning, these pork chops are sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- Lemon wedges and parsley for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Step 2: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron pan over medium-high heat.
- Step 4: Add the pork chops to the pan and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until they are nicely browned. Transfer the pork chops to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Step 5: Add the butter to the same pan and melt it over medium heat.
- Step 6: Stir in the minced garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, Italian seasoning, oregano, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Step 7: Return the pork chops to the pan and spoon the garlic lemon sauce over them.
- Step 8: Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Step 9: Remove from the oven, spoon any extra sauce over the chops, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
Tips & Variations
- For extra tenderness, brine the pork chops in saltwater for 30 minutes before cooking.
- If you don’t have a cast iron pan, use any oven-safe skillet or transfer the sauce and pork chops to a baking dish before baking.
- Add a splash of white wine to the sauce for a deeper flavor.
- For a milder dish, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
Storage
Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat to keep the meat moist. Avoid overheating to prevent the pork from drying out.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use boneless pork chops for this recipe?
Yes, boneless pork chops can be used. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as they may cook faster than bone-in chops. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 145 degrees F.
What can I serve with baked garlic lemon pork chops?
This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
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Baked Garlic Lemon Pork Chops Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Baked Garlic Lemon Pork Chops recipe offers tender, juicy pork chops seared to golden perfection and then baked in a flavorful garlic, lemon, and herb butter sauce. Featuring a perfect balance of savory garlic, tangy lemon, and sweet maple syrup, this dish delivers a deliciously easy and elegant dinner option that can be prepared in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Meat
- 4 bone-in pork chops
Seasonings and Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
- Lemon wedges and additional parsley for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the pork chops later.
- Season the pork chops: Pat the pork chops dry using paper towels to ensure a good sear, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil: Place a large cast iron skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat and add the olive oil, allowing it to heat until shimmering.
- Brown the pork chops: Add the pork chops to the hot skillet and sear them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they develop a rich golden-brown crust. Remove the chops from the skillet and transfer them to a plate; tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Melt the butter: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the butter, letting it melt completely while scraping up any browned bits from the searing process.
- Add the sauce ingredients: Stir in the minced garlic, brown sugar, maple syrup, dried Italian seasoning, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice. Cook the mixture for about 30 seconds while stirring constantly until fragrant and combined.
- Return pork chops to pan: Place the pork chops back into the skillet and spoon the garlic-lemon butter sauce over them, ensuring each chop is well coated.
- Bake the pork chops: Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius), indicating it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Serve: Once done, remove the skillet from the oven, spoon the remaining sauce over the pork chops, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top, and serve alongside lemon wedges and extra parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Using a cast iron skillet allows for excellent heat retention and makes it easy to transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Ensure pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F for safe consumption while maintaining juiciness.
- If you do not have fresh lemon juice, freshly squeezing a lemon is recommended for best flavor.
- Rest the pork chops a few minutes after baking to redistribute juices before serving.
- Red pepper flakes add a mild heat, which can be adjusted or omitted based on preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pork chops, baked pork chops, garlic lemon pork chops, easy pork recipes, quick dinner, cast iron skillet pork
