Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple-Cinnamon Pan Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with a warm apple-cinnamon sauce for a balanced sweet and savory dish. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in pork chops, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in pork chops dry and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork chops and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove chops and tent with foil to rest.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet, then add 1 large sliced apple and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Sauté apples for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup apple cider and 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Stir in 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves and 1 tbsp honey. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return pork chops to the skillet and spoon sauce over them for 1-2 minutes to reheat. Serve pork chops topped with the warm apple-cinnamon sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple-Cinnamon Pan Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple-Cinnamon Pan Sauce?

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 bone-in pork chops from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple-Cinnamon Pan Sauce?

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 Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple-Cinnamon Pan Sauce 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.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple-Cinnamon Pan Sauce?

American pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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