Description
Succulent honey garlic pork chops deliver a mouthwatering symphony of sweet and savory flavors that dance across dinner plates. Perfectly seared and glazed with a golden sauce, this simple yet impressive dish promises to elevate weeknight meals with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 4 boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) honey
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter (for extra richness)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the pork chops by patting them completely dry with paper towels, ensuring no excess moisture remains.
- Create a robust seasoning blend by generously coating both sides of the meat with salt, freshly ground black pepper, smoky paprika, and aromatic garlic powder.
- Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature until it shimmers with heat and shows slight rippling.
- Carefully place seasoned pork chops into the hot skillet, allowing them to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust without moving for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer seared chops to a temporary plate, keeping them warm and retaining their internal juices.
- Reduce skillet temperature to medium and quickly add minced garlic, stirring rapidly to prevent burning and release its intense fragrance.
- Craft the signature sauce by incorporating honey, tangy soy sauce, sharp apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes into the same skillet.
- Allow the sauce to simmer and slightly reduce, developing a rich, glossy consistency that will cling perfectly to the meat.
- Gently return pork chops to the skillet, carefully spooning the aromatic sauce over each piece to ensure complete coverage.
- Continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 145F, and the sauce transforms into a luxurious, sticky glaze.
- Enhance the dish’s richness by adding a small pat of butter, which will create a silky, luxurious finish.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous flavor, then serve immediately alongside steamed rice or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Ensure pork chops are completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in maximum flavor.
- Use bone-in pork chops for extra juiciness and richer taste, which helps prevent drying out during cooking.
- Adjust red pepper flakes quantity based on spice tolerance, allowing personalized heat levels for different palates.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the same delicious umami profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg