Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Garlic-Herb Butter Sauce
Juicy pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with a fragrant garlic-herb butter sauce. This American-inspired pork recipe (high protein), 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 350 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 chops (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in pork chops (6 oz each) with paper towels. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper evenly.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork chops and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until a golden-brown crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove chops from skillet and tent with foil to rest.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tbsp lemon juice, scraping any browned bits from the pan to combine into the sauce.
- Step 5: Return pork chops to the skillet and spoon the garlic-herb butter over them for 1 minute to coat and rewarm. Serve immediately with sauce drizzled on top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Garlic-Herb Butter Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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-Herb Butter 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-Herb Butter 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-Herb Butter Sauce 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.
Is Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Garlic-Herb Butter Sauce high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
