Print

Easy One-Pan Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops Recipe

apple cider braised pork chops - featured image
Print Recipe

This easy one-pan apple cider braised pork chops recipe features fall-apart tender pork in a luscious, silky pan sauce made with fresh apple cider, apples, and aromatic herbs. It’s a cozy, comforting fall dinner that comes together in one skillet with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pork chops, about 1-inch thick (bone-in or thick-cut boneless)
  • 2 cups fresh apple cider (unfiltered)
  • 2 apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), 1 sliced for cooking, 1 sliced thin for garnish
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. Slice onion thinly and core and slice one apple into ¼-inch thick rings or half-moons.
  2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until deep golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onion to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour apple cider and chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up browned bits. Stir in Dijon mustard. Add sliced apple, thyme, and rosemary sprigs.
  5. Return pork chops to the skillet, nestling them into the liquid. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Transfer skillet to the oven and braise uncovered for 30-40 minutes, until pork is fork-tender and internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
  7. Remove skillet from oven. Transfer pork and cooked apple slices to a serving platter and tent with foil. Discard herb sprigs. Place skillet on stovetop over medium heat, whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and simmer for 3-5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Spoon sauce and onions over pork chops. Garnish with fresh apple slices and fresh thyme leaves.

Notes

Don’t skip the sear—it builds deep flavor. Use a meat thermometer to ensure pork reaches 145°F without overcooking. Let the pork rest for 5 minutes before serving. For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil or dairy-free butter. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer; if too thick, add a splash of broth or cider.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider braised pork chops, one-pan pork chops, fall dinner, easy pork chop recipe, braised pork chops, apple cider pork

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/easy-one-pan-apple-cider-braised-pork-chops-recipe/