Description
Garlic butter pan seared pork chops will make your dinner table shine with restaurant-quality flavor that comes together in minutes. Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, these chops deliver maximum deliciousness with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 Pork chops
Supporting Seasonings:
- 3 Cloves garlic
- 1 Teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Cooking Fats and Oils:
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh herbs (parsley or thyme)
Instructions
- Pat your 2 pork chops completely dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture and ensure a perfect golden crust.
- Generously season both sides of the chops with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, pressing the seasonings into the meat.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until the surface starts to shimmer and ripple.
- Carefully place the seasoned pork chops into the hot pan, leaving space between them to prevent steaming.
- Sear the first side for 3-4 minutes until a rich, golden-brown crust develops, resisting the urge to move the meat.
- Flip the chops and cook the second side for another 3-4 minutes, maintaining medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the pan, allowing it to melt quickly.
- Sprinkle 3 minced garlic cloves into the melted butter and continuously baste the chops for 1-2 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature reaches 145°F using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part.
- Transfer the pork chops to a clean plate and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving to redistribute the juices.
Notes
- Patting the pork chops completely dry is crucial for achieving a golden, crispy crust that seals in the juices.
- Thick-cut chops work best for this method, as they stay tender and don’t dry out quickly during cooking.
- Fresh garlic makes a huge difference, so skip the jarred stuff and mince your own for maximum flavor.
- Let the meat rest after cooking to help redistribute the juices, ensuring each bite stays moist and delicious.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Pan-Seared
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg