Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Citrus-Glazed Sweet Potatoes

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

Juicy pork chops seared to perfection paired with sweet potatoes glazed in a bright citrus sauce for a balanced, comforting meal. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in pork chops, sweet potatoes, orange juice 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel and cut 2 medium sweet potatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes until tender and starting to brown.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp fresh thyme into the sweet potatoes. Cook for 3 more minutes, stirring until the orange-honey glaze thickens and coats the sweet potatoes, then remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Pat 4 bone-in pork chops dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Step 4: Add the pork chops to the hot pan and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145°F. In the last minute, add 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan and sauté until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork chops from heat and let rest for 3 minutes before serving with the citrus-glazed sweet potatoes.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Citrus-Glazed Sweet Potatoes 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 Citrus-Glazed Sweet Potatoes?

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 Citrus-Glazed Sweet Potatoes?

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 Citrus-Glazed Sweet Potatoes 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 Citrus-Glazed Sweet Potatoes?

Caribbean 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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