Description
Succulent honey garlic pork chops dance with sweet and savory flavors, creating a mouthwatering masterpiece that elevates weeknight dinners. Juicy pork chops glazed in golden honey and aromatic garlic promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Sauce and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for extra richness)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the pork chops by thoroughly patting them dry and generously coating each side with a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, ensuring an even and flavorful seasoning.
- Ignite a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling surface for searing. Carefully place the seasoned pork chops into the pan, allowing them to develop a rich golden-brown crust by cooking approximately 3-4 minutes per side.
- Extract the perfectly seared pork chops and set them aside momentarily, maintaining their warmth and juiciness.
- Reduce the skillet’s temperature to medium and introduce minced garlic, releasing its aromatic essence for roughly 30 seconds until fragrant and translucent.
- Craft the luscious sauce by incorporating honey, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes into the garlic-infused pan, creating a complex and tantalizing liquid that will simmer and reduce for approximately 2 minutes.
- Reintroduce the seared pork chops into the skillet, lovingly coating them with the glossy sauce and allowing them to continue cooking until they reach a perfect internal temperature of 145F (63C), which typically takes an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Elevate the dish’s richness by introducing a pat of butter, creating a luxurious sheen and depth of flavor.
- Finalize the presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped parsley and serving alongside complementary rice or roasted vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Ensure pork chops are completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming.
- Adjust heat carefully when sautéing garlic to prevent burning, which can create a bitter taste.
- Use a meat thermometer for precise doneness, preventing overcooking that leads to tough, dry pork.
- Customize the sauce’s heat level by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes according to personal spice preference.
- Opt for bone-in pork chops for more flavor and juiciness, typically requiring slightly longer cooking time.
- Transform this dish into a low-carb option by serving with cauliflower rice or roasted vegetables instead of traditional rice.
- Make it gluten-free by substituting regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Enhance meal prep by marinating pork chops in the honey garlic sauce for 30 minutes before cooking for deeper flavor penetration.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg