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.
Did You Make This?
Follow @primaverakitchen on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #primaverakitchen. We’d love to see your recreation.
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!
You’re very welcome! Thank you for your awesome feedback 😉
Yummy and easy!
Pork is not my husband’s favorite meat. However, he said these are a keeper and I can make again.
That’s great! Happy to know that you both enjoyed it 😉
These are delicious pork chops. My family loves them!
So happy to hear that!
Can’t wait to try these!
You’ll love it!
Delicious!!!
It truly is 😉
I make these delicious chops every week! Easy receipe and so delicious!
Happy you liked it! It’s an easy and delicious recipes for sure 😉
I was looking for a quick recipe to make with some really thick center cut, bone in pork chops that I didn’t have time to marinate. I found this recipe online and wow, what a keeper!
Will definitely make these again, especially because it was so easy to make!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!Thanks for sharing your experience, and I hope you enjoy making them again soon!
Absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing this recipe.
You’re so welcome!
Delicious, we love garlic so I added more.
Happy you liked it!
Excelent
Thanks!
Thank you, I really like it!
You’re welcome!
Haven’t cooked in awhile decided I needed to get with it. Having surgery gives you an excuse to put it off. Found this recipe and loved the whole meal. Looking forward to trying more from Primavera Kitchen/Olivia
That sounds fantastic! It’s great to hear that you’re diving back into cooking and enjoying it.
My hubby spent the day sick so at work I requested he get chicken out from the deep freezer. He pulled out Pork Chops. I dreaded supper especially after a 10 hour work day plus extra curriculer activities.. how could I ever make a delicious dinner last minute that would be quick with pork chops? I always end up over cooking them, they are tough and dry and unpleasant when I cook them. My husband on the other hand, marinates his porkchops over night and then grills them the following day. His pork chops are juicy and full of flavor however it takes a day!!! But today, I stumbled upon this recipe. This life saving and most brilliant recipe!!! I added a touch of my favorite spices after drying the meat and then after adding them to a baking dish in the oven, I put foil over the top and closed it firm but lightly and I set my timer to 25 minutes. I went back and checked the temperature when I had 6 minutes left to cook.. they were done! I pulled the foil off and let the meat sit for 20 minutes before serving. This was the hands down best pork chops I have had ever! I cut some pieces for my elderly aunt who no longer has teeth. She said it she couldnt believe that she had no trouble eating the meat, it was so soft and so juicy. I have never had pork this good! The fact that it was so easy to make, and although a little bit of hands on, the oven does most of the work while giving you a much needed break yet still comes out tasting like a 5 star restaraunt. Oh i also added yellow onion slices under the meat because I didnt have thyme… carmalized onion with the meat.. so good! Best recipe I have found hands down! Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you loved the recipe! It sounds like you nailed it, and I love the addition of caramelized onions—such a great touch! Thanks for sharing your experience, and I’m thrilled it made dinner easier after such a long day.
Thank you so much!
You’re so welcome!
A great way to cook thick pork chops.
Make extra garlic butter because you’re gonna want to pour it on!
Sure thing!
Love this recipe because it is easy, quick, and my husband loves it!! Thank you for the dinner win!
You are very welcome!
All I modified in the recipe was adding more garlic. This was my first successful attempt making a pork chop tast flavorful. Also used my new JV Cookment meat tenderizer. It made it taste like the butter sauce better pentrated the pork chop making it taste flavorful all the way through. Wonderful recip and my wife especially approved. Good job👍
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I love the idea of adding more garlic—it must have taken the flavor up a notch. And how cool that your new meat tenderizer helped the butter sauce really soak in! I’m so glad you and your wife enjoyed the recipe. Great job making it your own! 👍
Seriously the best recipe for pork chops! I will never use another recipe. I live in New Orleans and from a Creole family so sometimes I add Creole seasoning, just out of habit, but not needed as your recipe is perfection! My husband said it’s the best pork chops he’s ever had. Thank you!
Wow, thank you so much for the amazing feedback! I’m honored that this recipe is now your go-to for pork chops, especially coming from a Creole family. I’m so glad your husband loved it! 😊
This is my first comment on a recipe. My family really like it. I have a 14yo and 10 yo and they liked it too. I poured the extra juices in a bowl and we dipped our side rolls into it and loved that.
Thank you for sharing! I’m so glad your family enjoyed it, and I love the idea of dipping rolls in the extra juices—so creative and delicious!
Have do e this recipe a number of times, the family love it. After searing the chops I place them in a roasting bag and then pour in the garlic butter sauce. I get my butcher to provide me with a minimum thickness of 25ml.. they are left to marinate for a while prior to cooking in the oven. They are really tender and delicious.
That sounds like a fantastic way to make the chops extra tender and flavorful! So glad your family loves this recipe! 😊