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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Delicious and easy. I’d take out after ten minutes. I think I overlooked it a bit but that was my error!
this is sooo quick and easy. I threw asparagus alongside the pork chops while in the oven and the meal was quick, easy and most of all DELISH!
Happy to hear this 😉
It came out really great but I think I’ll try use butter instead of the olive oil next time but still a great recipe.
Best recipe. Pork chops perfectly baked.
Delicious.
Happy you liked it.
Just right, ty!
you’re welcome!
Great recipe. I seared the pork chops with white onion and added Worcestershire sauce at the end. Turned out fantastically!
Sounds delicious!
Fantastic recipe! So quick abs easy. It’s a keeper for sure.
That’s awesome!
One place, it says you bake them at 425 and then the recipe says 375. Which is it.
I’m sorry about that. It’s 425F for about 10-15 mins. It will depend on the thickness of the pork chops.
Juicy and tasty pork chops.
Awesome!
A little confusing in the recipe. One place says to cook 4 minutes per side, the other says 2 minutes, which is the correct time?
If your pork chops are not thick, 2 mins each side should be enough and then place them in the oven.
liked the recipe but you didnt give the amounts of Garlic or Tyme just 4 tablespoons of BUTTER… ccome on man
Can I use something other than a skillet? I don’t have one☹️
You can use a Dutch Oven or baking dish.
Thank you for suggesting the use of a Dutch oven.
You are very welcome!
I just recently bought a really in expensive one on amazon and it is fantastic. That is what i used to make this recipe. It is made by Utopia Kitchen and it is 12.5 inches and is pre-seasoned. It is safe for both indoor and outdoor use. It was a total of $24.27 through amazon prime. That was the cost of the cast iron skillet and the tax. I’m a prime member so shipping was free. Definitely worth it. A steal in my book. In case you may want to get the same one.
Such a great deal!
Bone in or out?
you can cook it with bone-in.
This recipe was great! My husband now requests all pork chops be prepared this way. I did, however, have to cut the amount of thyme by half because it seemed a bit overpowering.
I love thyme and that’s why all this thyme but you can sure reduce the quantity according to your preference 🙂
This comes out great every time! A real keeper!
That’s what we think too. It’s so good!
Delicious!!!
Awesome!
Best boneless pork chop recipe I’ve ever used. Tender, Moist and Delicious. It goes to the top of my list
Wow I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe. We love it too. So flavourful!
Delicious!! Since I have a small herb garden, I used thyme, basil and oregano and it was wonderful. I only had garlic powder so I seasoned the chops with the garlic powder and salt and pepper prior to frying and it worked fine. Very tasty chops.
Awesome!
Made this today and it was scrumptious. My husband really enjoyed these pork chops. Chops were moist, tender and flavorful.
Clara from Iowa
That’s awesome! Happy you liked it!
I made this recipe tonight for dinner and it was so delicious! I would absolutely serve this to guests at a dinner party. Along with the pork chops I made “homemade” Baked macaroni & Cheese along with collard greens. When I tell you “MOUTH WATERING!!!” My husband loves pork chops any way I make them but this was by far the best I have ever made in the 25 years we’ve been married lol! It was really easy too. I enjoy cooking so no matter the task, easier or not so much, it never really seems like a task to me. I took a picture to send it back to our daughter who still lives in Jersey. The Comment I left to her was ” Southern COMFORT food at it’s FINEST!!! She can’t wait to visit so I can make it for her too. Thank you Olivia!
OMG Debbie!! Your comment made me so happy. It truly made my day! Thanks you so much for such a sweet and kind feedback 😉