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Hearty Pork Chops with Creamy Apple Sauce

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A quick and easy cozy dinner recipe featuring juicy bone-in pork chops served with a silky, creamy apple sauce that balances savory and sweet flavors perfectly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or any neutral cooking oil)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 large Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or substitute with half-and-half or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and diced apples, cooking for another 3-4 minutes until the apples soften slightly.
  3. Pour in the chicken broth and apple cider vinegar. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and thyme. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples break down and the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream and remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm on very low heat.
  5. While the sauce simmers, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the pork chops. Cook without moving for about 4-5 minutes per side until a golden crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Use tongs to flip gently.
  6. Transfer the pork chops to a plate and let them rest for 5 minutes. Spoon the creamy apple sauce generously over the chops just before serving.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of chicken broth or cream. Use tongs to flip pork chops gently to avoid losing juices. Rest pork chops after cooking to keep them juicy. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with dairy-free margarine or oil. Oven-roasting after searing is an alternative cooking method.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork chops, creamy apple sauce, easy dinner, cozy meal, quick recipe, bone-in pork chops, apple sauce, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://evabake.com/hearty-pork-chops-with-creamy-apple-sauce-easy-cozy-dinner-recipe/