How to Cook Juicy Pork Chops in the Oven

Tired of dry, tough pork chops? Baking pork chops in the oven is a simple and foolproof method to achieve incredibly juicy, tender, and flavorful results every time. This guide will walk you through all the steps to master oven-baked pork chops, ensuring a delicious and satisfying meal for your family and friends.

Baking pork chops is an excellent cooking method, especially when you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner. Unlike pan-searing or grilling, oven baking offers a more hands-off approach, allowing for even cooking and minimal babysitting. Whether you prefer boneless or bone-in, thick-cut or thin, this recipe is adaptable to your preferences. Say goodbye to dry, tasteless pork and hello to succulent, mouthwatering baked pork chops that will become a staple in your recipe collection.

Why Bake Pork Chops in the Oven?

Oven baking pork chops offers several advantages:

Even Cooking: The consistent heat of the oven ensures that the pork chops cook evenly from edge to center, reducing the risk of dry edges and undercooked insides.
Hands-Off Cooking: Once prepped and in the oven, baked pork chops require minimal attention, freeing you up to prepare side dishes or relax.
Healthy Option: Baking requires less added fat compared to frying, making it a healthier cooking method.
Flavorful Results: Baking allows the seasonings to meld beautifully with the pork, creating a deeper and richer flavor profile.
Versatility: You can easily add vegetables to the same baking sheet for a complete and convenient one-pan meal.

Ingredients for Perfect Oven-Baked Pork Chops

To make these delicious baked pork chops, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:

Pork Chops: 4 boneless or bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick for optimal juiciness. Thick-cut chops are highly recommended as they are less prone to drying out.
Olive Oil: Helps to keep the pork chops moist and aids in even browning.
Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps with caramelization for a beautiful crust.
Paprika: Provides a smoky and slightly sweet flavor, contributing to the overall depth of taste. You can use sweet or smoked paprika depending on your preference.
Onion Powder: Adds savory notes and enhances the umami flavor of the pork.
Dried Thyme: Offers a subtle earthy and herbaceous aroma that complements pork beautifully.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors and balance the sweetness.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Juicy Pork Chops

Follow these simple steps to bake pork chops that are guaranteed to be juicy and flavorful:

Prepare the Pork Chops: Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, although this is optional. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. This crucial step removes excess moisture, allowing the olive oil and seasonings to adhere better and promoting browning. Then, rub each pork chop with olive oil on both sides.
Make the Seasoning Rub: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed. This spice rub is the key to adding incredible flavor to your pork chops. The brown sugar will caramelize during baking, creating a delicious crust.
Season the Pork Chops: Generously rub the spice mixture all over both sides of the pork chops, ensuring they are fully coated. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – it’s what will make your pork chops truly delicious!
Bake to Perfection: Place the seasoned pork chops on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes for 1-inch thick boneless pork chops. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness and whether they are boneless or bone-in.
Check for Doneness: The best way to determine if your pork chops are cooked through is to use an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a pork chop, avoiding the bone if using bone-in chops. The USDA recommends cooking pork to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), followed by a resting period. For optimal tenderness and juiciness, aim for an internal temperature between 145-150°F (63-66°C).
Rest Before Serving: Once the pork chops reach the desired temperature, remove them from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in incredibly moist and tender pork chops. You can loosely tent them with foil while they rest to keep them warm.

Tips for Extra Juicy Oven Baked Pork Chops

Want to ensure your baked pork chops are the juiciest they can be? Follow these helpful tips:

High Heat is Key: Baking at a higher temperature (425°F/220°C) sears the outside of the pork chops quickly, locking in the juices and creating a flavorful crust.
Avoid Overcooking: Overcooked pork chops are dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer and take them out of the oven as soon as they reach 145-150°F (63-66°C). Remember, carryover cooking will continue to raise the temperature slightly as they rest.
Resting is Non-Negotiable: Don’t skip the resting step! It’s crucial for allowing the juices to redistribute and results in significantly juicier pork chops.
Choose Thick-Cut Pork Chops: Thicker pork chops are more forgiving and less likely to dry out compared to thin-cut chops. Aim for at least 1-inch thickness.
Consider Bone-In Pork Chops: Bone-in pork chops tend to be more flavorful and juicy because the bone helps to retain moisture during cooking.

Recipe Variations to Try

Get creative and try these variations to customize your baked pork chops:

Pork Rub: For a simplified seasoning, use a pre-made pork rub or create your own blend of favorite spices. A mixture of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika works wonderfully.
Bone-In Pork Chops: Substitute bone-in pork chops for boneless. Bone-in chops may require a few extra minutes of cooking time.
One-Pan Meal with Vegetables: Roast vegetables alongside your pork chops for a complete and easy meal. Hearty vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and sweet potatoes can be added to the baking sheet about 10-15 minutes before the pork chops. Faster-cooking vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or green beans can be added closer to the end of the cooking time.
Marinades: Before baking, marinate your pork chops for extra flavor and tenderness. Try a simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs, or explore Asian-inspired marinades with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.

Serving Suggestions

Baked pork chops are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of side dishes. Consider serving them with:

Classic Sides: Mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, rice, quinoa, or couscous.
Vegetables: Roasted vegetables (like broccoli, asparagus, carrots, or green beans), steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Sauces: Apple sauce, gravy, or a pan sauce made with the pan drippings.

Baked Pork Chops Recipe

Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Author: Kristine Rosenblatt

Description: This easy baked pork chops recipe makes the best oven baked pork chops! A simple spice rub gives the pork chops so much flavor, resulting in juicy and tender meat every time.

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Ingredients:

4 boneless pork chops, at least 1-inch thick*
1 tablespoon olive oil
1½ tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons paprika, sweet or smoked
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper if desired.
Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Rub pork chops with olive oil and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix well.
Rub the spice mixture over all sides of the pork chops.
Bake pork chops in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes for 1-inch thick boneless pork chops. The pork chops are done when the internal temperature measures 145°F (63°C) on an instant-read thermometer. (Thinner pork chops will cook faster, bone-in pork chops will take longer to cook. See notes.) Be careful not to overcook the pork chops as they may dry out.
Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes:

If your pork chops are thinner than 1 inch, start checking for doneness after 10-12 minutes in the oven.
Bone-in pork chops will take a few minutes longer to cook than boneless pork chops.

Nutrition Information (per serving, estimate):

Calories: 262kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 29g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 90mg
Sodium: 648mg
Potassium: 523mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 5g
Vitamin A: 493IU
Calcium: 18mg
Iron: 1mg

Cuisine: American
Course: Main Course
Author: Kristine Rosenblatt

Enjoy your perfectly baked, juicy pork chops!