Quick & Juicy Smothered Pork Chops Recipe for Comfort Dinners

Southern kitchens have perfected these mouthwatering smothered pork chops that melt in your mouth with rich, comforting flavors.

Grandma’s secret recipe combines simple ingredients to create magic on your plate.

Tender meat nestles beneath a blanket of creamy, savory gravy that speaks to pure comfort.

Each bite transports you to a cozy dining room where love seasons every dish.

Thick-cut chops absorb delicious herbs and spices, promising a meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Crispy edges and a luxurious sauce make this classic Southern staple irresistible.

Prepare to experience a recipe that turns an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Smothered Pork Chops Benefits

• Create Crave-Worthy Comfort Food: These smothered pork chops deliver rich, hearty flavors that make every bite feel like a warm culinary hug, perfect for satisfying serious hunger pangs.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: With simple ingredients and straightforward techniques, home cooks can transform basic pork chops into a restaurant-quality meal that impresses family and guests.
• Customize Flavor Profiles: The flexible seasoning blend allows personal taste adjustments, letting you experiment with spice levels and ingredient combinations to match your preference.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimizing kitchen cleanup while maximizing flavor, this recipe uses a single pan for cooking, sautéing, and creating a luxurious sauce that coats tender pork chops perfectly.

Ingredients for Smothered Pork Chops

• Pork Chops: Succulent cuts of meat that serve as the main protein for this comforting dish.
• Bacon: Adds a rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture to the recipe.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a crispy coating and helps thicken the sauce.
• Seasoning Salt, Onion Powder, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Dried Thyme, Black Pepper: Blend of spices that provides deep, complex flavor to the pork chops.

• Cooking Oil: Helps achieve a perfect golden sear on the pork chops.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth and liquid base for the sauce.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates a luxurious, velvety texture for the sauce.
• Onions: Adds sweetness and aromatic flavor to the dish.

How to Make Smothered Pork Chops

Step 1: Prepare Flavor-Packed Seasoning Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Seasoning salt
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Dried thyme
• Black pepper

Blend these ingredients thoroughly to ensure every spice is evenly distributed.

Step 2: Coat Pork Chops with Flavor

Generously dredge each pork chop in the seasoned flour mixture. Shake off any excess coating, but make sure each chop is well-covered for maximum flavor impact.

Step 3: Sear to Golden Perfection

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cooking oil to create a sizzling surface.

Carefully place the coated pork chops into the hot skillet. Cook each side for 2-3 minutes until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in all the juicy goodness.

Step 4: Create Magical Bacon Base

Remove the pork chops and set aside. In the same skillet, crisp up some bacon until it’s irresistibly crunchy.

If you’re feeling extra indulgent, add a pat of butter and let it melt into liquid gold.

Step 5: Build the Creamy Sauce Foundation

Toss in diced onions and sauté until they become soft and translucent.

Sprinkle in some of the reserved flour mixture, stirring continuously to create a rich, golden roux. This is where the magic happens!

Step 6: Pour in Liquid Luxury

Slowly add chicken broth and heavy whipping cream to the skillet. Whisk with enthusiasm to create a silky, dreamy sauce that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 7: Reunite Pork Chops with Sauce

Gently return the seared pork chops to the skillet. Let them simmer in the luscious sauce for 4-5 minutes.

Keep an eye on the internal temperature – you’re aiming for 145°F to ensure perfectly cooked, tender meat.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Your smothered pork chops are ready to steal the show!

The pork will be incredibly tender, covered in a rich, creamy sauce that’s packed with layers of flavor. Plate up and prepare for a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Tips for Smothered Pork Chops Success

• Bring pork chops to room temperature before cooking to ensure even cooking and juicier meat.
• Pat pork chops dry with paper towels to help achieve a perfect golden-brown crust when searing.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature and prevent overcooking, which can make pork tough and dry.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories while maintaining flavor.
• Create a gluten-free option by replacing all-purpose flour with cornstarch or alternative gluten-free flour blend when coating and thickening the sauce.

Variations of Smothered Pork Chops

• Gluten-Free Pork Chops: Replace all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornstarch for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same seasoning and cooking technique.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Swap dried thyme with fresh rosemary or sage, adding a bright, aromatic profile to the traditional pork chop recipe while keeping the core cooking method identical.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy whipping cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk, creating a lighter sauce that accommodates lactose-intolerant individuals without compromising flavor complexity.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use reduced-sodium chicken broth and eliminate seasoning salt, replacing it with fresh herbs and cracked black pepper to control sodium intake while preserving the dish's rich taste profile.

Pairings That Go with Smothered Pork Chops

• Select a crisp Chardonnay or medium-bodied Pinot Noir to complement the rich, creamy sauce and cut through the pork's robust flavor.
• Serve roasted garlic mashed potatoes to soak up the luxurious sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
• Add roasted asparagus or green beans with lemon zest to provide a bright, crisp contrast against the heavy, decadent pork chop dish.
• Include warm, crusty sourdough bread to mop up every delicious drop of the creamy bacon-infused sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Storage Guidelines for Smothered Pork Chops

• Transfer leftover smothered pork chops to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the sauce covers the meat to prevent drying out.
• Carefully pack the pork chops and sauce in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 2-3 months.
• Place pork chops on a microwave-safe plate, add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed to 165°F.

FAQs

• Why should I use bone-in pork chops for this recipe?

Bone-in pork chops provide more flavor and help keep the meat juicy during cooking, resulting in a more tender and delicious final dish.

• How do I know if my pork chops are properly seasoned?

Ensure an even coating of the flour mixture by pressing the mixture gently onto the pork chops and shaking off excess, which helps create a flavorful and consistent crust.

• Can I substitute the heavy whipping cream with something lighter?

While heavy cream creates a rich sauce, you can use half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less creamy and slightly thinner in consistency.

Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Classic Southern smothered pork chops blend hearty comfort with rich, savory flavors from generations of home cooking. Tender meat nestled in creamy gravy promises a satisfying meal that connects you to culinary traditions passed down through loving family kitchens.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) pork chops (boneless, approx. ¾-1″ thick, room temperature)
• 2 slices bacon (thick-cut, diced)
• 1 medium onion (finely diced)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup chicken broth (low sodium)
• ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 tbsp salted butter (optional)
• 1½ tbsps seasoning salt
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp dried thyme leaves
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Remove pork chops from refrigerator and allow them to rest at ambient temperature for even cooking.
2. Heat a large skillet to medium-high temperature, adding cooking oil to create a smooth cooking surface.
3. Create a seasoning blend by whisking flour with salt, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and pepper in a shallow dish.
4. Dredge each pork chop thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, gently tapping off excess coating.
5. Sear pork chops in the hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until a rich golden crust develops, then transfer to a separate plate.
6. Render bacon in the same skillet until crisp and golden, then introduce butter to enhance flavor depth.
7. Incorporate diced onions into the skillet, sautéing until translucent and softened.
8. Sprinkle reserved flour mixture into the skillet, stirring continuously to create a roux and eliminate raw flour taste.
9. Gradually stream chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, whisking consistently to develop a smooth, velvety sauce.
10. Reintroduce pork chops to the sauce, allowing them to simmer and absorb flavors until internal temperature reaches 145°F, approximately 4-5 minutes.
11. Serve immediately, drizzling additional sauce over the pork chops for maximum flavor infusion.

Notes

• Let pork chops sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before cooking to ensure even cooking and maximum tenderness.
• Pat the meat dry with paper towels to help achieve a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming instead of searing.
• Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or sage to add unique flavor variations to the traditional seasoning blend.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk and use turkey bacon instead of traditional bacon to reduce overall fat content.
• Gluten-free adaptation can be made by replacing all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when creating the coating and sauce.
• Rest the pork chops for 3-5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum moisture and flavor retention.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 362 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 1038 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg