Description
Hearty Baked Pork Chops & Rice deliver comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, promising golden-crusted pork nestled alongside fluffy seasoned rice. Rich flavors and simple preparation make this classic dish a weeknight winner you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1-inch thick)
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Rice and Sauce:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 can (10.5 ounces / 300 grams) cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup)
- 1 ¾ cups (420 milliliters) chicken broth (or water)
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to a moderate temperature of 350F (175C), preparing a cooking environment for succulent pork and fluffy rice.
- Massage pork chops with olive oil, creating a smooth surface for seasoning absorption. Craft a spice blend using garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Generously coat both surfaces of the meat with this aromatic mixture.
- Select a 9×13-inch baking vessel and transform it into a flavor foundation. Combine uncooked rice with cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, finely chopped onion, diced celery, sliced carrots, and Italian seasoning. Blend these components thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution across the dish.
- Enhance the rice mixture’s richness by strategically placing small butter fragments throughout the surface, which will melt and infuse subtle creaminess during cooking.
- Carefully position the seasoned pork chops atop the prepared rice landscape, creating a harmonious protein and grain arrangement.
- Shield the entire dish with aluminum foil, creating a sealed environment that promotes moisture retention and even cooking. Slide into the preheated oven for half an hour.
- Remove the foil to allow slight caramelization and continued cooking. Continue baking until rice reaches perfect tenderness and pork chops achieve a safe internal temperature of 145F (63C), approximately 20-25 additional minutes.
- For those desiring enhanced visual appeal, briefly activate the broiler, allowing the meat to develop a golden-brown exterior lasting 2-3 minutes.
- Allow the completed dish to rest momentarily, permitting juices to redistribute. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch.
Notes
- Enhance meat tenderness by brining pork chops in saltwater solution for 30 minutes before seasoning, which helps prevent dryness during baking.
- Swap cream of mushroom soup with low-sodium cream of chicken or vegetable alternatives for healthier dietary options or reduced sodium intake.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice to boost nutritional value, adding more fiber and complex carbohydrates to the meal.
- Experiment with herb combinations like thyme, rosemary, or sage to create unique flavor profiles that complement the pork’s natural taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg