If you’ve ever ended up with dry, tough pork chops from the oven, I promise this recipe will change everything. These Garlic Butter Baked Pork Chops have been one of the most popular recipes on Primavera Kitchen for years and for good reason. The secret is a two-step method I’ve tested many times: sear the chops in a hot skillet until golden, then pour a simple sauce of melted butter, fresh garlic, and thyme right over the top before finishing them in the oven. That garlic butter sauce is what sets this apart from any other baked pork chops recipe. It keeps the meat incredibly juicy and adds rich, savory flavor in every bite. Ready in just 23 minutes, it’s the only baked pork chops recipe you’ll ever need.
The Baked Pork Chops Recipe with 4,000 Five-Star Ratings!
I’ve been making baked pork chops for busy weeknight dinners for years, and I can honestly say this is one of my most-tested and most-loved recipes on Primavera Kitchen with over 500 comments and 4,000 five-star ratings from readers who keep coming back to make it again and again.
Ready in under 20 minutes with just 5 minutes of prep, it’s one of those easy dinner recipes for busy families that I always have in my back pocket.
If you love pork chops as much as I do, my Air Fryer Pork Chops and Grilled Pork Chops are just as easy and delicious. And if you want to keep exploring, my Garlic Butter Pork Tenderloin is a reader favourite too.
I love serving these with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Parmesan Green Beans, a classic combination that never disappoints.
Key Ingredients
Pork Chops – After making this recipe so many times, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the cut really matters. I always look for chops that are at least 1 to 1½ inches thick, because thinner chops cook too fast and dry out quickly, especially during the sear. An even thickness also means the tips and center cook at the same rate, which makes a big difference. You can use boneless pork chops (loin chops or pork loin), bone-in pork chops, or even thick-cut pork chops. All three work beautifully with this garlic butter sauce.
Butter – I’ve made this recipe with different butters over the years, and I can honestly say that quality matters here. A good quality butter creates a richer, creamier sauce that coats the pork chops so much better. I prefer unsalted so I can control the salt level myself, but the key is using butter you’d actually enjoy on its own. It’s the base of the whole sauce.
Garlic – Fresh garlic is a must for me in this recipe. I’ve tried jarred garlic before, but the problem is that it often comes as a paste, which burns much faster in the hot skillet and can turn bitter before the butter even has a chance to come together. Freshly minced garlic behaves so differently because it melts into the butter gradually. It’s worth the extra minute of prep, I promise.
Fresh Thyme – I really do recommend using fresh thyme over dried if you can. Fresh thyme has a softer, more delicate flavor that blends beautifully into the butter sauce without overpowering it. I’ve tested this with dried thyme too, and while it works in a pinch, fresh makes this dish feel much more special.
How To Make Oven Baked Pork Chops
I always pat the pork chops dry before seasoning. It’s a small step that makes a big difference for getting a good sear. I keep it simple with just salt and pepper because the garlic butter sauce is already so flavorful on its own.
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.
I sear the chops for about 1-2 minutes per side over medium-high heat until golden. I’ve learned not to move them around, just let them sit so that crust can develop. This sear-first step is what locks in the moisture before they go into the oven, and after making this recipe dozens of times, I’m convinced it’s what keeps them from drying out.
Once the chops are seared, I pour the garlic butter sauce right over them before the skillet goes into the oven at 425°F. This is the step that makes these pork chops taste like a restaurant meal.
This is what I always love to see! I recommend using an instant read thermometer to check for 145°F — that’s the sweet spot for juicy, perfectly cooked pork. Before serving, I always spoon that garlic butter sauce from the skillet back over the top. It takes 30 seconds and adds so much flavor.
At 400°F, boneless pork chops should bake for about 7 minutes per ½ inch of thickness, while bone-in chops need around 8 minutes per ½ inch.
So, for chops that are 1½ inches thick:
Bone-in: Bake for about 24 minutes. Again, I recommend you use a meat thermometer to determine doneness and not rely on the general cook time.
Boneless: Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes.
Best Tips to Make Baked Pork Chops
Sear first, always. I’ve found the sear-and-bake method is the single best way to keep pork chops from drying out. It builds a golden crust and locks in the juices before the oven does its job.
Let them rest. I always rest my pork chops for 3 minutes after pulling them from the oven. It makes a real difference because the juices redistribute and every bite stays moist.
No lid needed. You don’t need to cover the skillet in the oven for this recipe. The high heat and butter sauce do the work.
Seasoning flexibility. Salt, pepper, and fresh thyme are my go-to, but feel free to add paprika, garlic powder, or fresh rosemary if you want to switch things up.
Garlic Butter Baked Pork Chops Recipe – Juicy and Tender!
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 small bowl, mix together the butter, thyme, and garlic. 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Made this for the first time, my family loved it.
THat’s great. I’m happy to hear that 😉
This is my husband’s favorite pork chop recipe!! Delicious & tender pork chops, and easy to prepare!!
Aww amazing! Happy to hear that!
Awesome! I microwaved some diced potatoes for 8 minutes while prepping everything else and then added them to the skillet just before the garlic butter.
Mm.. Sounds amazing. Great idea!
This was quick and easy with simple ingredients. It was very flavorful!
So happy you liked it. We make this recipe all the time and love it too.
Easy meal very delicious best chops ecer
Awww thank you so much! I appreciate that 😉
Can these be made in air fryer
Yes, you can. Read it more HERE.
quick, easy and delicious!
Indeed it is 😉
Finally!!! At more than 50 years old, this is my favorite pork chop recipe to date! 😂Thank you!
Aww that’s awesome!
The taystiest stuff ive ever eaten
SO happy to hear that 😉
Made this for my husband birthday we were tired from working all day sy amazing it was so easy he thought i was a super women worked and cooked it all day he said howd u do that without me w knowing i just winked at him told him hes worth it
Lolit took all of 30min to make
And thru a mug cake in the microwave
Bomb.
I made these tonight, they are delicious. Took about 45 min. In all ,we loved them, very flavorful and moist, not dry or tough just perfect. Thank you for this recipe, we’ll be baking these again,. Soon. I’m
That’s awesome. Iam very happy to hear this. Hope you make it more times!
I gave up trying to read and follow this recipe. You have too much advertising and pop ups. I just got frustrated trying to read around it
I apologize for the inconvenience caused by the pop-up ads. While ads help provide free recipes on our site, I’ll try to talk to our ad provider to see what we can do to enhance the browsing experience.
The reviews are for the recipe not the website!
Best pork chop I’ve ever had. I did use basil as the herb because it’s what I had. I think next time I would fry higher heat for a minute longer, and bake a little less (mine got to 170 in 10 minutes, but we’re on the small side.
I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the pork chop, even with your basil substitution! Adjusting the cooking time to suit the thickness of the chop is a great idea for perfecting the dish to your liking in the future.
Sounds good, I haven’t tried it yet but will try today.
Hope you like it!
Amazing recipe, It was so juicy this is my new go to recipe.
That’s awesome!
So delicious and tender. Mine were thick and cooked for 12 min. Will definitely make again soon
That’s amazing! So happy you liked it 😉
Easy recipe! Pork chop was amazing Thank you for sharing!
You’re so welcome!
Going to make this! Sound great! Just way way too many ads…
Very easy and great flavor
Indeed it is 😉