Description
This Easy Smothered Pork Chops recipe features tender bone-in pork chops cooked to perfection and smothered in a rich onion and mushroom gravy. Ideal for a comforting dinner, it combines searing and oven-baking techniques to lock in flavor and juiciness.
Ingredients
Scale
Pork Chops
- 4 bone-in center cut pork chops 1 to 1 1/2-inch thick
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Gravy
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large white onion halved and sliced
- 8 ounces white or cremini mushrooms sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray to prepare for finishing the pork chops.
- Season Pork Chops: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
- Sear Pork Chops: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear them for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust. Then transfer them to the prepared pan.
- Bake Pork Chops: Place the pan with pork chops into the preheated oven and bake until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C), approximately 15 minutes.
- Cook Vegetables: While pork chops bake, return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the sliced onion, and mushrooms. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
- Make Gravy Base: Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently until fragrant.
- Thicken Gravy: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the vegetables, stirring continuously for 1 minute until the mixture forms a roux with no visible streaks of flour.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Gradually pour in 2 cups chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until thickened. Taste and season with extra salt if desired.
- Combine and Serve: Remove pork chops from the oven and return them to the skillet with the gravy. Spoon the rich onion and mushroom gravy evenly over the chops and serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For thinner pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick), sear them fully in the skillet for 4 to 5 minutes per side instead of finishing in the oven.
- Using bone-in thick cut pork chops yields the best texture and juiciness.
- You can substitute cremini mushrooms with white mushrooms or button mushrooms depending on availability.
- Adjust seasoning in the gravy to your taste; more salt or pepper can enhance flavor.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when searing pork to maintain a good crust.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with gravy
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
