11 Easy Recipes to Master Pan-Fried Pork Chops Like a Pro

Pan-fried pork chops are a classic and easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for any occasion. With so many ways to season and flavor them, you’ll never get bored of this dish! In this post, we’ll share 11 mouthwatering recipes that will help you master the art of pan-fried pork chops, with ingredients, instructions, and helpful tips to get the best results.

1. Classic Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops (1-inch thick)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp butter (optional)

Instructions:

1. Season both sides of the pork chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Once the oil is hot, add the pork chops and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
4. Optionally, add butter to the pan in the last minute of cooking for extra flavor.
5. Let the chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Helpful Tip:

Resting the pork chops after cooking helps them retain their juices, resulting in a tender, juicy chop.

2. Garlic Butter Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup butter
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook the pork chops for about 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
4. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add minced garlic and butter to the pan.
5. Baste the pork chops with the garlic butter mixture.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

Helpful Tip:

Garlic butter adds richness to the pork chops, so be sure to spoon the melted butter over the chops as they cook for maximum flavor.

3. Crispy Parmesan-Crusted Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops (boneless works best)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
2. Beat the egg in a shallow bowl and combine the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl.
3. Dip each pork chop into the egg, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
5. Cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy and golden brown.

Helpful Tip:

To get a crispier crust, you can add a tablespoon of flour to the breadcrumb mixture.

4. Honey Mustard Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix together honey and Dijon mustard in a bowl.
2. Season pork chops with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side.
5. In the last minute of cooking, pour the honey mustard glaze over the pork chops and let it thicken in the pan.

Helpful Tip:

For a bit of extra flavor, add a teaspoon of fresh thyme to the honey mustard mixture.

5. Spicy Cajun Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Rub the Cajun seasoning and salt onto the pork chops.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side until crispy and golden brown.

Helpful Tip:

Adjust the level of spice by adding more or less Cajun seasoning to taste.

6. Lemon Herb Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh thyme and rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Zest and juice the lemon. Mix with olive oil, fresh thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Coat the pork chops with the lemon herb marinade for at least 30 minutes.
3. Cook the pork chops in a skillet over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side.

Helpful Tip:

For an even brighter flavor, sprinkle extra lemon zest on the chops before serving.

7. Apple Cider Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Season the pork chops with salt, pepper, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side.
3. Once cooked, pour apple cider into the pan and let it reduce for a few minutes, creating a glaze.

Helpful Tip:

The sweet and spicy cider glaze is perfect for pairing with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

8. Balsamic Glazed Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Season pork chops with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown.
4. In the last minute of cooking, add balsamic vinegar and honey to the pan. Let it reduce to create a thick glaze.

Helpful Tip:

Balsamic glaze adds a tangy-sweet finish to the chops. Serve with mashed potatoes for a well-rounded meal.

9. Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp chili flakes
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix pineapple juice, honey, chili flakes, and soy sauce in a bowl.
2. Season pork chops with salt.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side.
4. Pour the pineapple mixture over the pork chops in the last minute of cooking.

Helpful Tip:

The pineapple juice helps balance the spice from the chili flakes, creating a perfect harmony of sweet and spicy.

10. Smoky Paprika Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 2 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Coat the pork chops with the spice mixture.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Helpful Tip:

Smoked paprika gives a subtle smoky flavor without being overpowering. If you prefer extra smokiness, add more paprika.

11. Sage and Brown Butter Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 4 pork chops
• 1/4 cup butter
• Fresh sage leaves (5-6)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side.
3. In the last minute of cooking, melt butter and add sage leaves to the pan. Let the butter brown slightly.
4. Spoon the brown butter and sage over the chops before serving.

Helpful Tip:

Brown butter adds a nutty flavor that complements the savory pork chops. Make sure to watch the butter carefully to prevent it from burning.

Final Thoughts on Cooking Pan-Fried Pork Chops

Pan-fried pork chops are an incredibly versatile dish. You can switch up the seasoning, add marinades, and experiment with different glazes to match your tastes. Whether you prefer sweet and savory or smoky and spicy, these 11 recipes will help you create mouthwatering pork chops every time.

Tips for Perfect Pan-Fried Pork Chops:

• Resting Time: Let the pork chops rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute and results in a juicier chop.
• Temperature: Cook pork chops to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) for optimal flavor and tenderness.
• Thickness Matters: Thicker chops will take longer to cook. If your chops are thicker than 1 inch, consider reducing the heat slightly to avoid overcooking the exterior before the inside is done.

Now you’re ready to cook up some amazing pan-fried pork chops. Which recipe are you going to try first?