Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Garlic Butter and Herb Sauce

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

Juicy pork chops pan-seared to a golden crust and finished with a rich garlic butter and fresh herb sauce. This american-inspired st. patrick’s day ready in about 15 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 bone-in pork chops and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  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 without moving until a golden crust forms.
  3. Step 3: Flip pork chops and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 3 smashed garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme to the pan. Tilt the pan and spoon the melted butter repeatedly over the chops for 4 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove chops to a plate, discard garlic cloves, and stir 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp lemon juice into the butter sauce remaining in the pan.
  5. Step 5: Pour the garlic herb butter over the pork chops and let rest for 3 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 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 Butter and Herb 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 Garlic Butter and Herb 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 Garlic Butter and Herb Sauce 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 Butter and Herb Sauce?

American st. patrick’s day 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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