Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Saffron and Garlic Aioli
Juicy pork chops pan-seared to golden perfection served with a luxurious saffron-infused garlic aioli that adds a creamy, aromatic touch. This Spanish recipe, ready in about 27 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 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) bone-in pork chops
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads
- 1 tbsp warm water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, soak 1/4 tsp saffron threads in 1 tbsp warm water for 10 minutes to release color and flavor.
- Step 2: Season 4 bone-in pork chops with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until a golden crust forms and internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Step 4: While pork cooks, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and the saffron water with threads in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Step 5: Remove pork chops from skillet and rest for 5 minutes. Serve each chop topped with 2 tbsp saffron garlic aioli for a rich, aromatic finish.









