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Quick 20-Minute Pork Chops Recipe with Easy Rich Pan Sauce

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A simple and fast pork chops recipe that delivers juicy, perfectly seared chops with a rich, flavorful pan sauce in just 20 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick, roughly 6 oz/170g each; center-cut preferred)
  • Salt and black pepper to season (about 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper total)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped (optional)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml; low sodium preferred)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons white wine

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat a heavy skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add pork chops to the hot pan without crowding. Cook undisturbed for 4 minutes, then flip and cook another 4 minutes until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
  4. Remove pork chops and tent loosely with foil to rest while making the sauce.
  5. Lower heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, minced garlic, and shallots to the skillet. Stir frequently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
  6. Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and optional white wine. Scrape up browned bits from the pan with a wooden spoon.
  7. Stir in 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme, and 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice. Let sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  8. Return pork chops to the pan for a quick warm-through, spoon sauce over the top, and serve immediately.

Notes

Pat pork chops dry before seasoning to ensure a good sear. Rest meat after cooking to lock in juices. Deglaze pan well to capture all flavor bits. Adjust seasoning of sauce at the end with salt or lemon juice. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork chops, quick dinner, pan sauce, easy recipe, weeknight meal, boneless pork chops, skillet pork chops, rich sauce

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/quick-20-minute-pork-chops-recipe-with-easy-rich-pan-sauce/