Amazing Smothered Pork Chops (1 Hour)

Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but this dish? It’s so delightful! Nothing beats a cold winter evening like a plate of seriously comforting smothered pork chops. Imagine tender, juicy pork chops, perfectly browned and then simmered low and slow in the most unbelievably rich and savory gravy. It’s the kind of meal that just wraps you up in a warm hug. My grandma used to make something similar when the snow fell hard, and for me, it’s pure nostalgia. We’re talking real, honest-to-goodness home cooking here, the kind that makes your kitchen smell amazing and your family gather ’round the table with happy smiles. Forget those fancy meal planning services; this is the authentic taste of home!

Why You’ll Love This Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

This is one of our favorite smothered pork chops recipes, and I just know you’ll love it too. Here’s why:

• It’s surprisingly easy to throw together, even on a busy weeknight!
• The flavor is pure comfort – rich, savory gravy and perfectly tender pork.
• It’s a hearty, satisfying meal that the whole family will devour.
• It uses simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Gather Your Ingredients for Smothered Pork Chops

Alright, let’s get everything ready to make these amazing smothered pork chops! You’ll need just a few things you probably have lying around, plus some nice pork chops. Here’s what you’ll want to pull together:

• 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1-inch thick – these tend to stay juicier!)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or canola oil works great too)
• 1 medium onion, chopped nice and fine
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (I love using a garlic press for this!)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (low sodium is good if you’re watching salt)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (this makes the gravy nice and luscious!)
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (don’t skip this, it adds so much depth!)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (this is optional, just if you like a tiny bit of heat)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for a pretty garnish at the end

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Smothered Pork Chops

Okay, let’s get down to business and make these absolutely divine smothered pork chops! Don’t worry, it’s way easier than you think, and the result? Pure magic for your Sunday dinner or even a special weeknight dinner idea that everyone will rave about. Trust me, this recipe is a gem from my kitchen to yours. Let’s do this!

Preparing and Searing the Pork Chops

First things first, grab those beautiful pork chops! Pat them really dry with paper towels – this is super important for getting a good sear. Then, season ’em generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Next, we’ll give them a light coating of flour. Just dredge them and shake off the excess. Now, heat up your vegetable oil in a big, heavy skillet, like a cast iron one if you have it, over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering hot, carefully lay in the pork chops. Sear them for about 2-3 minutes per side until they’ve got this gorgeous golden-brown crust. This step locks in all the juicy flavor, so don’t rush it!

SAVE IT

Building the Savory Gravy for Smothered Pork Chops

Once those chops are beautifully browned, take them out and set them aside for a minute. Don’t you dare clean that skillet! Toss your chopped onion and bell pepper right into those flavorful drippings. Let them soften up, stirring every now and then, for about 5-7 minutes. They’ll start smelling amazing! Then, add in your minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it’s super fragrant – watch it closely so it doesn’t burn. Now for the magic: pour in the chicken broth and scrape up all those tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. That’s where all the flavor is! Stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and a pinch of cayenne if you’re feeling a little adventurous. See? We’re already building this incredible, savory gravy for our smothered pork chops.

SAVE IT

Simmering to Perfection

Now, gently nestle those lovely seared pork chops back into the skillet, right into that glorious gravy. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, pop a lid on the skillet – making sure it’s mostly covered – and let them cook for about 20-25 minutes. You want them to be cooked through and fork-tender. The best way to know? A little poke with a fork should feel super soft, or you can use a meat thermometer if you have one; you’re looking for around 145°F (63°C).

SAVE IT

Tips for the Best Smothered Pork Chops

Alright, wanna make these smothered pork chops truly sing? It’s all in those little things that make a big difference. From my kitchen to yours, here are a couple of my go-to tricks:

Choosing the Right Pork Chops

When I’m making these, I always reach for bone-in pork chops, about an inch thick. The bone adds extra flavor as it cooks, and the thickness helps them stay wonderfully juicy in all that yummy gravy. They’re just easier to manage and get that perfect tender texture.

Achieving the Perfect Gravy Consistency

If your gravy isn’t quite as thick as you’d like after simmering, don’t fret! My secret tip is to whisk together just 1 tablespoon of flour with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to make a smooth little slurry. Stir that into your simmering gravy, and it’ll thicken up beautifully in just a minute or two. Easy peasy!

Serving Suggestions for Your Smothered Pork Chops

Now that you’ve got these amazing smothered pork chops ready to go, what do you serve them with? Well, you absolutely *have* to have something to soak up all that incredible gravy. My go-to is always a big scoop of creamy mashed potatoes or some fluffy white rice. But don’t stop there! They’re also wonderful with some crusty bread for dipping, a side of simple steamed green beans, or even some fluffy dinner rolls. It’s all about that cozy, comforting feeling.

SAVE IT

Frequently Asked Questions about Smothered Pork Chops

Got questions about whipping up these amazing smothered pork chops? I’ve got you covered! Making the perfect comfort meal shouldn’t be a mystery, so let’s clear up any little worries.

Can I use boneless pork chops for this recipe?

You sure can! While I love bone-in for extra flavor and moisture, boneless pork chops work just fine. Just make sure they’re about an inch thick, and you might need to shorten the simmering time just a smidge – keep an eye on them so they don’t get tough.

How do I prevent my pork chops from drying out?

The trick to super moist pork chops is honestly in the searing and not overcooking them! That initial sear locks in the juices, and then we let them gently simmer. Make sure they reach that 145°F (63°C) mark and then pull them off. They’ll continue to cook a tiny bit as they rest in that delish gravy!

What can I use if I don’t have chicken broth?

No chicken broth? No problem! Vegetable broth works beautifully and keeps the flavor profile really nice. Beef broth could be an option too if you want a deeper, richer taste, just be mindful it might change the color a little.

Nutritional Information

Here’s a little breakdown of what you can expect in one serving of these yummy smothered pork chops. Keep in mind these are just estimates, as it can change a bit depending on the exact ingredients you use!

• Calories: Around 450
• Fat: About 30g
• Protein: Roughly 30g
• Carbohydrates: Around 15g
• Sodium: Approximately 600mg

Share Your Smothered Pork Chops Creation!

I really hope you give these incredible smothered pork chops a try! I’d absolutely love to hear what you think. Did you make any fun tweaks? Drop a comment below and let me know how they turned out, or share a photo on social media – tag me! You can also reach out if you have any questions.

Smothered Pork Chops

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A comforting and flavorful smothered pork chops recipe perfect for a chilly evening, featuring tender pork in a rich, savory gravy.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 35 min
• Total Time: 50 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Dredge the pork chops in the flour, shaking off any excess.
3. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
4. Sear the pork chops for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside.
5. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
6. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
7. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
8. Stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and cayenne pepper (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
9. Return the pork chops to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the pork chops are cooked through and tender.
10. Serve the smothered pork chops hot, spooning the gravy over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

• For a smoother gravy, you can whisk together 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry, then stir it into the simmering gravy until thickened.
• This recipe pairs well with mashed potatoes or rice to soak up the delicious gravy.
• Consider this a great alternative to meal planning services for a hearty home-cooked meal.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 pork chop with gravy
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 120mg