Pan Seared Pork Chops Recipe

Plenty of meat eaters favor pork chops, and it's clear as to why. They are incredibly juicy, tender, and flavorful. Not to mention, they are easy to prepare and cook. Furthermore, they are versatile, as you can pair the meat with various kinds of seasonings, and there are numerous ways to cook pork chops. You can bake, grill, or even pan sear them like steaks.

Recipe developer and food blogger Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge pan sears the pork chops in this recipe. "I love this dish because of the flavor and simplicity," says Olayinka. "There is something about searing meat which takes the flavor up 100 fold! It locks in the flavor while [delivering] a crispy finish." She also notes, "The taste is like a smokey pork chop, and it [becomes] crispy during the searing. It's very delicious." 

Are you now craving pan seared pork chops? If so, we can totally relate. And the good news is, you can whip them up right in your own kitchen. You don't have to be an experienced chef to make this scrumptious meal, either. According to Olayinka, her recipe is "definitely beginner-level." You can also cook these pork chops on busy days, as this dish comes together in less than 30 minutes.

To prepare the pan seared pork chops, you will need four pork chops, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, paprika, thyme, oregano, chili flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder. Some of these items you probably already have in your pantry. For the other ingredients, you might need to make a little grocery run. And if you're not a fan of spicy food, don't fret, because you can totally cut out the spice. "[You] can definitely omit the chili. As I used such powerful spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. You will still get great flavor," says Olayinka.

Once you've gathered all of your ingredients, you can start the preparation process. To begin, pat dry four pork chops, and set them aside. Grab a small bowl, and combine the dry ingredients. Add in the salt, paprika, thyme, oregano, chili flakes, onion powder, and garlic powder. Combine everything well. While Olayinka uses ¼ teaspoon of chili flakes, you can add more if you like your pork chops really spicy. You can also skip this ingredient if you don't like it.

When you're done combining your dry mixture, add it to your pork chops, and make sure to pat it all over the meat so it's perfectly coated. Next, grab a cast iron skillet, and set the burner to medium-high heat. Then, add two tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil to the pan. Once the skillet heats up, you can move on to your next step.

When your cast iron skillet is hot, place two pork chops in the pan, and cook for at least three to five minutes. When it's time or when the meat turns brown, flip the pork chops, and cook the other side for another three to five minutes. Next, cook the remaining pork chops. 

When you're done cooking all of the meat, place your pan seared pork chops on a serving plate, and enjoy the delicious dish. Alternatively, you can place the pork chops on separate plates and add your preferred side dishes. (Might we suggest honey glazed carrots or roasted potatoes?)