Pan Fried Pork Chops Recipe

seared pork chop that is partially sliced and served on white plate

5 from 23 votes

Pan fried pork chops are lightly seasoned pork chops pan seared and basted in a silky thyme-butter sauce for restaurant quality flavor. No flour needed!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings: 8-ounce servings

Calories: 78kcal

Author: Traci

Equipment

paper towels
12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy skillet
tongs
instant-read thermometer
serving platter

Ingredients

2 (1-pound) Center Cut Bone-In Pork Chops 1-inch thick
Salt and Black Pepper
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter divided in half
6 Sprigs Fresh Thyme

Instructions

Use paper towels to pat PORK CHOPS completely dry.
Recommended: Rest the chops about 20 minutes at room temp to remove chill.
Generously season all sides of the chops with SALT and PEPPER.
Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat until it's ripping hot. Add OIL and heat until shimmering.
Gently lower chop(s) into the skillet and sear 3-5 minutes until golden brown.
Flip the chop(s) and sear the other side a few minutes until a quick read thermometer registers a minimum of 135 degrees Fahrenheit next to the bone. This temperature will increase in the next steps.
Add BUTTER and THYME to the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and use a spoon to baste the pork chop(s) with melted butter.
When the pork internal temperature reaches 140 degrees Fahrenheit, transfer to a plate. Cover and rest up to 5 minutes, or until it reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit on a clean meat thermometer.
Serve warm drizzled with herbed butter..
To store, allow to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days.

Notes

Do you wash pork chops? - It's not necessary. In fact, the most effective way to eliminate bacteria from pork is to cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

temper the pork - Resting pork at room temperature for 20 minutes removes the chill and helps meat cook more evenly.

use a heavy skillet - If available, a heavy skillet such as cast iron promotes even heat distribution and retention, which sears meat more effectively.

resist the urge to flip too soon - When pork sticks to the pan, it's best to not force the flip because it will release naturally, in time.

use a thermometer - An instant-read meat thermometer tells you when the pork reaches a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

rest the cooked pork chops- Allow cooked pork chops to rest for 3 minutes before cutting to prevent the juices spilling out.

light pink center - When pork reaches a medium temperature of 145degrees Fahrenheit, it will have a light pink center, similar to that of a steak cooked to the same temperature.

Nutrition