Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Bitter Orange Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-03 · Updated 2026-07-03

Juicy pork chops pan-seared and finished with a tangy, slightly bitter orange glaze that balances richness with bright citrus notes. This Mediterranean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 25 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 400 calories and feeds 2, 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

• 2 chops (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup bitter orange juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1, minced garlic clove
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat 2 bone-in pork chops dry and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork chops and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Remove chops to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Reduce heat to medium and add 1 minced garlic clove, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 1/4 cup bitter orange juice, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves; simmer gently for 3 minutes until the glaze thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Whisk in 1 tbsp unsalted butter until glossy. Return chops to skillet, spoon glaze over them, and cook for 1 minute to heat through before serving.