This juicy oven baked bone-in pork chops recipe will have your taste buds dancing with delight! Looking for a delicious and hassle-free way to prepare tender and juicy pork chops? Look no further.
The Secret to Perfect Pork Chops
If you’ve been looking for the easiest way to make pork chops that are juicy and full of flavor, this is it! We’re using the oven, which is a game-changer.
The best part is the minimal hands-on time. There’s no fancy equipment needed—just your seasoning and the oven. Once they’re in, you can go relax while they cook. The bone not only adds extra flavor but helps keep the meat incredibly tender and juicy. The result is a perfect, rustic-looking meal that everyone will love with a side of green goddess salad, or a fresh fruit salad and soft sourdough rolls!
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Pork Chops
This recipe is simple, but every ingredient plays a starring role in getting those perfect, juicy pork chops.
Bone-in Pork Chops: This is the secret to a tender and juicy final result! The bone not only adds a ton of extra flavor as it cooks, but it also helps the meat stay moist and succulent. Make sure your chops are about 1-inch thick so they don’t dry out.
The Spice Rub: This isn’t just for flavor—it’s for building that beautiful, golden-brown crust. The brown sugar caramelizes as it cooks, creating a delicious outer layer, while the garlic powder, dried thyme, and dried rosemary give the chops a classic, savory taste.
The Glaze: This is the final touch that takes your pork chops from good to absolutely amazing! A simple mix of olive oil and brown sugar creates a shiny, sweet, and caramelized coating that really elevates the whole dish.
How to Choose the Best Pork Chops
Choosing the perfect pork chop at the grocery store is the first step to a great meal! I always look for a few key things to make sure they come out tender and juicy every time.
First, you want a bone-in pork chop! That little bone adds so much flavor and helps keep the meat incredibly juicy as it cooks. Next, look for chops that have a nice pinkish-red color with a little bit of marbling. This is a good sign that they’re fresh and will be delicious. Finally, the thickness really matters. I always aim for chops that are about 1-inch thick. Anything thinner can dry out too fast, and we definitely don’t want that! Of course, always give the sell-by date a quick check just to be sure.
Let’s Talk About the Glaze!
Okay, so I want to talk about the glaze—this is where the magic really happens! While this recipe is so simple, that final touch of a glaze takes it from delicious to absolutely unforgettable. It’s what gives your pork chops that beautiful, golden-brown finish and a hint of sweetness that everyone will love.
I want to make this part easy peasy for you, because you don’t want to mess up this crucial step. Here’s what you need to know about getting that glaze just right.
Getting the Glaze Just Right:
Okay, so you’ve seasoned and seared your chops, and they’re cooking away in the oven. Now for the secret to that perfect, glossy finish! While the pork chops are baking, simply whisk together your olive oil and brown sugar in a small bowl.
Just before they’re done, you’ll take them out of the oven and brush that simple glaze all over both sides of each chop. This final step is a game-changer because as the chops go back in the oven, the brown sugar caramelizes, creating a beautiful, shiny crust and a perfect touch of sweet flavor. Trust me, it makes all the difference!
My Tips & Tricks for Perfect Pork Chops
I’m telling you, there’s a reason this is my go-to recipe. The secret to making oven-baked pork chops that are juicy on the inside and perfectly golden-brown on the outside is all about these little tricks.
Don’t Skip the Sear! This is the most important step for me! Briefly searing the pork chops in a hot skillet before you bake them creates this amazing, flavorful crust. It’s the secret to getting a deep golden color and locking in all those juices.
Use the Right Pan. An oven-safe skillet is a total game-changer here because you can take it straight from the stovetop to the oven. That means fewer dishes and less mess! If you don’t have one, just use a regular skillet for searing and then transfer the chops to a baking sheet.
Use a Thermometer. To make sure your pork chops are perfectly juicy and not overcooked, grab an instant-read meat thermometer. The moment they hit 145°F, they’re cooked through and ready to go.
Let Them Rest. Once you take those beautiful chops out of the oven, don’t cut into them right away! Let them sit for a few minutes on the plate. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, so every single bite is tender and delicious.
What to Serve with Baked Pork Chops
These juicy pork chops are so delicious they can go with just about anything! While they’re great on their own, serving them with the right side can make your dinner truly unforgettable. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
Creamy Mashed Potatoes: You can’t go wrong with this classic! The creamy texture of mashed potatoes is the perfect pairing for juicy pork chops.
Roasted Vegetables: Roasted veggies like carrots, asparagus, butternut squash, or green beans are the perfect choice. They bring a little sweetness to balance the savory flavor of the pork chops.
A Fresh Salad: For a lighter option, a fresh green salad with a simple vinaigrette can cut through the richness of the pork.
Grilled Peaches: This is a surprising favorite of mine! The sweetness of the peaches is a great contrast to the savory chops, and it’s perfect for a summer dinner.
How to Store Leftovers
These delicious pork chops can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To store them properly, allow the pork chops to cool down to room temperature first, then transfer them to an airtight container.
Before storing, you may want to slice the pork chops into smaller portions, so that they can be reheated more quickly and evenly. You can also separate the pork chops with sheets of wax paper or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
To reheat the pork chops, place them in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel or microwave-safe lid. Reheat in the microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
More Pork Recipes
Some of our favorite pork recipes are Fall apart Boston Butt Roast or a Maple glazed Fresh Ham Roast the Perfect Picnic Roast and Smoked Pork Loin are perfect for parties and holiday dinners!
I want to know what YOU think.. Please review the recipe card!
If you make these juicy pork chops, I’d really appreciate a review on the recipe card or in the comments below… Thank YOU so much!
Juicy Oven Baked Bone-In Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops bone-in room temperature , about 1 inch thick chops.
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375° degrees fahrenheit (190°C).
- Mix Dry Rub – In a small bowl, mix together the black pepper, garlic powder, brown sugar, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and salt.
- Season pork chops – Rub the spice mixture onto both sides of the pork chops, pressing the mixture into the bone-in chops.
- Sear Pork Chops: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they are nice and golden brown on each side.
- Bake: Place the skillet (or a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil) in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes bake time, or until the pork chops are cooked through and have reached an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C on an instant read thermometer).
- While the pork chops are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix together 2 tbsp of olive oil and 2 tbsp of brown sugar.
- After the pork chops have cooked for 15-20 minutes, remove them from the oven and brush the glaze onto both sides of the chops for extra flavor.
- Return the skillet to the oven and bake pork chops for an additional 5-7 minutes, cooking pork chops until the glaze has caramelized and the pork chops are tender and juicy.
- Remove the pork chops from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the pork chops with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- You can glaze your juicy oven baked pork chops with your favorite BBQ sauce or use my glaze!
Nutrition
About Juliea
Juliea Huffaker is the creator of Farmhouse Harvest, and dedicated to teaching from-scratch cooking, sourdough baking, gardening, and food preservation. With over 25 years of hands-on experience she has preserved hundreds of jars of produce, mastered the art of meats and sourdough baking, and nurtured a thriving organic garden. Her recipes and articles have been featured across the web. And she’s passionate about inspiring others to embrace a simpler, self-sufficient life style.
3 comments
Barbara Hinkle
Lots of flavors, my husband loves this recipe.
Juliea Huffaker
Shonna.. Thank you! So glad you enjoyed these pork chops!
Juliea Huffaker
Wonderful… Thanks you for coming back to comment Marcia!