Description
This Easy Baked Pork Chops recipe features juicy, bone-in pork chops seasoned with a flavorful blend of smoked paprika, brown sugar, and spices, then oven-baked to perfection. It’s a simple and delicious dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 pounds bone-in pork chops
Seasoning & Oil
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
Optional
- freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure a hot environment for baking the pork chops evenly.
- Prepare Pork Chops: Brush both sides of all pork chops with olive oil, reserving some olive oil if possible for drizzling later.
- Make Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and cumin. Stir together thoroughly to blend the flavors.
- Season Pork Chops: Sprinkle the prepared seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the pork chops to ensure each piece is well-coated.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the seasoned pork chops on a rimmed baking sheet or large baking dish. Drizzle any remaining olive oil over the chops.
- First Bake: Bake the pork chops in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to start the cooking process and develop a crust.
- Flip and Drizzle: Remove the pork chops from the oven, flip them over to cook evenly, and drizzle with any pan juices or reserved olive oil.
- Final Bake: Return the pork chops to the oven and bake for an additional 7 to 10 minutes until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 145 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption.
- Rest the Meat: Remove the pork chops from the oven and transfer to a plate or cutting board. Cover with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F for safe and juicy results.
- Use bone-in pork chops for better flavor and moisture retention.
- Resting the meat after baking is crucial to keep it tender and juicy.
- Optional freshly squeezed lemon juice can add a bright, tangy finish when drizzled just before serving.
- Adjust seasoning quantities based on your preference for spice and sweetness.
