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
Scale
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
