Description
A quick and easy 25-minute weeknight meal featuring thick-cut pork chops seared in a skillet with a sticky, sweet, and savory cinnamon apple cider glaze. Perfect for busy evenings with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pork chops (bone-in, thick-cut, 6–8 oz each)
- Salt and black pepper (generous amounts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (unsalted)
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 medium apple, sliced thin (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter stops foaming.
- Add pork chops to the skillet, ensuring they are not crowded. Sear for 3-4 minutes on the first side until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Remove chops to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced apples to the same pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and slightly charred.
- Pour in apple cider, honey, minced garlic, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes. Stir to scrape up brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer the glaze for 1-2 minutes until it reduces slightly and becomes syrupy.
- Return pork chops to the pan, nestling them into the apples and glaze. Spoon glaze over the chops.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, flipping once, until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and glaze is sticky.
- Serve immediately, drizzling with extra glaze and sprinkling with additional cinnamon if desired.
Notes
Do not overcook the pork; it only needs to reach 145°F. Save the pan drippings (fond) for the glaze as they add significant flavor. Slice apples thinly so they cook down properly. If using thin chops, reduce cook time by 2-3 minutes. This recipe is naturally gluten-free. For dairy-free, skip the butter and use olive oil or coconut oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with gla
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: pork chops, apple cider glaze, weeknight dinner, easy recipes, one pan meal, fall recipes, cinnamon, quick meals