Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Garlic and Herb Butter

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

Juicy pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection, topped with a fragrant garlic and herb butter sauce. This american-inspired pork ready in about 20 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 450 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 bone-in pork chops (1 inch thick) and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 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 minutes on one side without moving, until golden brown and edges start to crisp.
  3. Step 3: Flip the pork chops and reduce heat to medium. Add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to the pan. Spoon the melted butter mixture over the pork chops continuously as they cook for another 4 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork chops from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes. Stir 1 tsp lemon juice into the remaining butter sauce in the pan, then spoon over the pork chops before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Garlic and Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Garlic and Herb Butter?

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 Garlic and Herb Butter?

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 Garlic and Herb Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Garlic and Herb Butter?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes