Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Caramelized Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-31 · Updated 2026-05-31

Juicy pork chops pan-seared and topped with smoky bacon and sweet caramelized onions for a savory, comforting dish. This American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in pork chops, applewood smoked bacon, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 pieces, about 6 oz each bone-in pork chops
• 4 slices applewood smoked bacon
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp leaves fresh thyme
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Step 2: Add pork chops to the skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 145°F). Remove chops and keep warm.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 4 slices applewood smoked bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes until crisp. Remove bacon and chop into bite-sized pieces.
4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion to the bacon fat in the skillet. Sauté over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are deeply caramelized and soft.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, cook for 1 more minute until fragrant and the vinegar reduces slightly.
6. Step 6: Return chopped bacon to the skillet, toss with onions, and spoon the mixture over the pork chops before serving.