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Savory Cast Iron Pork Chops with Garlic Butter Pan Sauce

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Juicy pork chops with a crispy sear cooked in a cast iron skillet, served with a rich garlic butter pan sauce. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops, about 1-inch thick
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1–2 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary (optional)
  • ½ cup chicken broth or white wine
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. Heat a 10-12 inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Heat until shimmering and just starting to smoke.
  3. Place pork chops in the skillet without crowding. Sear for 4-5 minutes on one side until deep golden crust forms. Flip and sear the other side for 4 minutes. For thick chops, reduce heat slightly and cook an additional 2 minutes per side.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Tilt pan and baste pork chops with garlic butter for 1-2 minutes, stirring garlic gently to avoid burning.
  5. Remove pork chops to a plate and tent loosely with foil to rest.
  6. Pour chicken broth or white wine into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up browned bits. Simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Stir in a little more butter, add fresh thyme or rosemary if using, and squeeze in lemon juice. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Pour garlic butter pan sauce over rested pork chops and garnish with extra herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat pork chops dry before searing for a better crust. Do not overcrowd the pan. Rest chops for 5 minutes after cooking to keep them juicy. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Watch garlic carefully during basting to avoid burning. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter and omit lemon juice if preferred.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork chops, cast iron skillet, garlic butter sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe, savory pork chops, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/savory-cast-iron-pork-chops-with-garlic-butter-pan-sauce-easy-recipe/