Bacon-Stuffed Pork Chops with Herb Butter
Juicy pork chops stuffed with crispy bacon and cream cheese, finished with a fragrant herb butter that elevates this simple dinner. This american-inspired keto (high-protein) ready in about 45 minutes pairs (1-inch thick) pork chops, bacon, softened cream cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (1-inch thick) pork chops
- 8 slices bacon
- 1/4 cup, softened cream cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Step 2: Cut a pocket into the side of each 1-inch thick pork chop, being careful not to cut all the way through.
- Step 3: Mix the 1/4 cup softened cream cheese, 8 crumbled cooked bacon slices, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
- Step 4: Stuff each pork chop with the mixture, securing with toothpicks if needed.
- Step 5: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear stuffed pork chops for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Step 6: Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Step 7: While pork bakes, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter in the skillet over medium heat and pour over pork chops before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bacon-Stuffed Pork Chops with Herb Butter take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bacon-Stuffed Pork Chops with Herb Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (1-inch thick) pork chops from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bacon-Stuffed Pork Chops with Herb Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bacon-Stuffed Pork Chops with Herb Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Bacon-Stuffed Pork Chops with Herb Butter high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Added this to my weekly meal rotation. So satisfying.
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.