Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring thick-cut pork chops seared in a skillet and finished with a glossy, sticky apple cider glaze. This one-pan meal is ready in just 15 minutes and delivers fall flavors without the stress.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pork chops (6–8 oz each, bone-in or boneless)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon or yellow mustard
- Kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until a deep brown crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Remove chops to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
- Reduce heat to medium and pour off excess grease, leaving about a tablespoon of oil and browned bits (fond).
- Add butter, garlic powder, and thyme to the pan; stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in apple cider and apple cider vinegar, scraping the bottom to release fond.
- Simmer vigorously for 3-4 minutes until the sauce reduces by half and becomes syrupy.
- Stir in brown sugar and mustard; taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Return pork chops to the pan, spooning glaze over them, and let sit for 1 minute to reheat.
- Serve immediately, drizzling extra glaze over the top.
Notes
Do not overcook the pork; 145°F is the target for juicy results. Use real apple cider, not juice, for the best flavor. Scrape the fond (browned bits) from the pan to create a rich sauce. If using frozen chops, thaw completely and pat very dry before cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chop with glaze
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Protein: 30
Keywords: pork chops, apple cider glaze, skillet dinner, quick weeknight meals, fall recipes, one pan dinner, easy pork recipe