Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple Cider Glaze and Thyme

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-05 · Updated 2026-08-05

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Juicy pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection, finished with a sticky apple cider glaze flavored with fresh thyme and a touch of mustard. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 400 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup apple cider
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey
4 fresh thyme sprigs
2 tbsp unsalted butter

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in pork chops dry and season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork chops and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply golden and cooked through (internal temperature 145°F).
Step 3: Remove pork chops from the skillet and set aside to rest on a plate.
Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add 1/2 cup apple cider, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, and 4 fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon.
Step 5: Simmer the glaze for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened and syrupy.
Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs and whisk in 2 tablespoons unsalted butter until melted for a glossy finish.
Step 7: Return pork chops to the skillet and spoon the glaze over them to coat before serving.