Many people love these oven baked pork chops because they are easy to make. They are also incredibly tender, juicy, and flavorful. With just a handful of basic ingredients and pantry staples, you can whip up this amazing dinner in no time.
These delicious Baked Pork Chops is one of the best baked pork chops recipes I’ve ever made. You can pair it with Mashed Potatoes, Avocado Tomato Salad and Roasted Cauliflower. If you would like to try other pork chop recipes try this Oven Pork Chop, Air Fryer Pork Chops or this Pork Chop with Apples and Onions.
I’ve been making this baked pork chop recipe for years now and my family absolutely love it. I’m sure, you’ll make this baked pork chop many times too since it’s the fastest and easiest way to make pork chops in the oven. In only 5 minutes, you’ll prep everything, and in 10-12 minutes, this pork chop recipe will be done and ready to eat.
This garlic butter sauce is the queen of this recipe because it keeps the pork chops very juicy, tender, moist, and delicious. This recipe is also low-carb, paleo, whole30 (use ghee instead of butter), and gluten-free.
ingredients to make this Baked Pork Chops
What I love most about this baked pork chops is that it requires simple ingredients, yet it’s so flavourful. You need:
- Good quality butter
- Garlic – fresh is always best! You can use garlic powder, but I prefer and recommend fresh garlic.
- Fresh thyme – again, I highly suggest fresh thyme..
- Salt and ground black pepper – You can rub the pork chops with salt and pepper, but you also can use other spices like paprika and onion powder if you prefer. I prefer just salt and pepper because the garlic butter sauce is already very flavorful.
- Pork chops – Try to pick an evenly thick cut, so you don’t end up with overcooked tips. I like to buy at least 1-inch thick pork chops. Also, you make this recipe with boneless pork chops (loin chop or pork loin) or bone-in pork chops and even with thick cut pork chops. This recipe also works well with chicken breasts (see my garlic butter chicken breast recipe for reference.)
- Brown sugar (optional): I know many of you like to add a little bit of brown sugar in your seasoning mixture. I don’t add it, because I want to reduce the amount of sugar a consume. However, you can totally do it if you prefer.
How to Cook Pork Chops
- First, preheat the oven to 425°F. Pat dry the pork chops with a paper towel to remove any leftover moisture from the packaging. Then, season well with salt and pepper. The amount of salt and pepper depends on your taste.
- Prepare the butter sauce by melting four tablespoons of butter in the microwave or stove. Once it’s melted, add the chopped thyme and garlic. Stir well, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the pork chops. Sear the pork chops until they are golden brown, about 2-4 minutes on each side.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture over the pork chops, and place the skillet in the oven. Cook until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145ºF. Don’t overcook them to avoid having dry pork chops.
- Remove the skillet from the oven. Drizzle some of the tasty butter sauce from the skillet over the pork chops. Do this before serving. Enjoy!!
Watch how to make Easy baked pork chops:
Recipe Tips
- Season both sides of the pork chops generously with salt and pepper.
- Freshly garlic will provide the best flavor. Sauté it in butter until fragrant before adding it to the pork chops.
- Allow the baked pork chops to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This lets the juices redistribute and keeps them moist.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can sear the pork chops in any skillet. After searing, transfer the pork chops to a baking dish to finish cooking in the oven.
What’s The Best Way To Cook Pork Chops?
In my opinion, the best way to make juicy and tender baked pork chops is by searing them on the stove using a cast iron pan and then finish cooking them in the oven.
The reason is that the pork chops will have more flavor and a nice, brown, and beautiful crust on the outside, and they will be very juicy and tender inside.
How Long to Bake Pork Chops
We recommend to bake your pork chops in the oven at high temperature to avoid them from drying out.
We bake ours at 425° F. At this temperature, 1-inch thick boneless pork chops take about 15 minutes to cook. Again, I recommend you use a meat thermometer to determine doneness and not rely on the general cook time.
How To Store Leftovers
To Store: These baked pork chops are great as leftovers. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
To Freeze: Let the baked pork chops cool down to room temperature. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Include any liquids, like the garlic butter sauce, in the container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: When ready to enjoy this baked pork chops, thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat leftovers on the stove or in the microwave.
Sides that go well with baked pork chops:
- Cauliflower in any form makes a great side! Try my golden cauliflower rice, creamy avocado cauliflower salad, mushroom cauliflower rice skillet, roasted cauliflower or even this delicious whole30 mashed cauliflower.
- Potatoes, potatoes, potatoes! If you’re not looking to keep things low-carb, serve your chops with some starchy root veggies. Potatoes au gratin, mashed sweet potatoes, regular creamy mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes or air fryer baby potatoes are some of my favorites.
- Other vegetables like crispy roasted green beans, side salad garlic parmesan roasted brussels sprouts, air fryer asparagus, grilled corn on the cob or this savory roasted butternut squash mash.
- Any side salad! A simple arugula salad or spinach fruit salad would pair really nicely with these pork chops. You could also do corn salad, pasta salad, quinoa salad, couscous salad, broccoli salad or some fresh, creamy coleslaw.
- Bread is always a winner. Add some low-carb dinner rolls and butter to your spread. Crunchy garlic bread or some cornbread with honey would also be super yummy!
More pork recipes to try:
- Instant Pot Pork Chops: Got an Instant Pot? Well, try this restaurant-quality pork chop with a gravy sauce in an Instant Pot! Ready in under an hour.
- Garlic Butter Baked Pork Chops: Check out my webstory on how to make this garlic butter pork chop recipe.
- Garlic Butter Pork Tenderloin Recipe: Perfectly cooked in a garlicky butter sauce, this garlic butter pork tenderloin is going to have you reaching for seconds.
- Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloin: This balsamic roast pork is made with a savory balsamic glaze that is absolutely perfect for the holidays or a weekend dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pork chops are lean red meat and they are consider a good and healthy protein choice. Many cuts of pork are as lean or leaner than chicken, for example. They have nutrients like protein, selenium, zinc, and iron too.
For this oven baked pork chop recipe, you don’t need to cover it. But once you do it, remove and cover them with aluminum foil. Let them stand three minutes before serving.
This sear and bake method is a great way to keep pork chops from drying out. But, why sear pork chops before baking? Searing the pork chops helps build a beautiful golden crust as well as helping lock in the moisture for when it bakes in the oven.
Yes you can make this baked pork chops recipe with chicken breast, chicken thighs and even steak.
Garlic Butter Baked Pork Chops Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized pork chops
- Salt and pepper
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, and set aside.
- In a cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the skillet is hot, add the pork chops. Sear until golden, about 2 minutes per side.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture over the pork chops. Place the skillet in the oven, and cook until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145ºF, about 10-14 minutes. The time depends on the thickness of your pork chops.*
- Remove from the oven. Using a spoon, pour some of the butter sauce left in the skillet onto the pork chops before serving.
Tips
- Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the pork chop.
- Make sure to give your pork chops a few minutes to rest before cutting so they can redistribute the moisture.
- Thick cut pork chops are ideal as they won’t overcook as easily.
- When using a cast iron skillet in the oven, use a heat-resistant glove or oven mitt to safeguard your hands when handling the skillet. It gets extremely hot and can cause burns if touched without protection.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
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April Hardnett says
Very tasty!
Olivia says
Thank you 😉
Helen says
This is a super flavorful recipe. I used boneless thick-cut loin pork chops and they were the most flavorful, tender chops I’ve ever eaten. Thank you for this wonderful recipe!
Olivia says
You’re very welcome! Thank you for your awesome feedback 😉
Michelle says
Yummy and easy!
Pork is not my husband’s favorite meat. However, he said these are a keeper and I can make again.
Olivia says
That’s great! Happy to know that you both enjoyed it 😉
Lisa says
These are delicious pork chops. My family loves them!
Olivia says
So happy to hear that!
Ann Brazzel says
Can’t wait to try these!
Olivia says
You’ll love it!
Sue says
Delicious!!!
Olivia says
It truly is 😉
JAMES O MYERS says
I make these delicious chops every week! Easy receipe and so delicious!
Olivia says
Happy you liked it! It’s an easy and delicious recipes for sure 😉