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Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Apple-Onion Pan Sauce

Prep 10 min Cook 12 min Difficulty 2/5

Pan-seared pork chops with a quick apple-onion pan sauce in about 25 minutes for two. Simple, cozy, and full of flavor.

Why this recipe works

A skillet-seared pork chop recipe with a fast apple-onion pan sauce. It’s ideal for a cozy date night or a quick weeknight dinner for two, using common ingredients you likely have on hand.

Search intent: How to cook pan-seared pork chops with quick apple-onion sauce
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Key takeaways

Simple weeknight pork with quick apple-onion pan sauce
Two servings, easy pantry ingredients
Hands-on time under 25 minutes

Recipe guide

A skillet-seared pork chop recipe with a fast apple-onion pan sauce. It’s ideal for a cozy date night or a quick weeknight dinner for two, using common ingredients you likely have on hand.

Cook a flavorful, fast dinner for two in one skillet.

  • Simple weeknight pork with quick apple-onion pan sauce
  • Two servings, easy pantry ingredients
  • Hands-on time under 25 minutes

Prep and sear the chops

Season chops with salt and pepper. Sear in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden, about 3–4 minutes per side for 1-inch thickness. Rest plated.

Make the apple-onion sauce

In the same pan, add butter, sliced apple, and onion; cook until softened and lightly browned. Stir in broth, Dijon, thyme, and brown sugar; simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce and blend flavors.

Finish and serve

Return pork to the pan to rewarm and coat with sauce, 1–2 minutes. Spoon sauce over chops and serve immediately.

Ingredients

  • 2 bone-in pork chops (about 6 oz each)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small apple, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 small onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp brown sugar

Instructions

  1. Pat pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Add pork chops and sear until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side for 1-inch thick; transfer to a plate and tent with foil to rest.
  4. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the skillet.
  5. Add sliced apple and onion and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Stir in chicken broth, Dijon mustard, thyme, and brown sugar, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
  7. Simmer sauce until slightly reduced, about 2-3 minutes.
  8. Return pork chops to the skillet and spoon sauce over them, cooking 1-2 minutes more to finish and reheat through.
  9. Transfer pork chops to plates, spoon remaining apple-onion sauce over top, and serve.

FAQs

Can I use boneless pork chops instead of bone-in? Yes, boneless work; adjust searing time to 3–4 minutes per side.
Can I make this dairy-free? Omit butter or substitute with olive oil; ensure the sauce reduces without dairy.
How do I store leftovers? Cool, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat gently.