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Savory Cast Iron Pork Chops Recipe with Easy Apple Cider Cream Sauce

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This recipe features juicy bone-in pork chops seared to perfection in a cast iron skillet, finished with a rich and tangy apple cider cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a comforting and impressive weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
  • Salt and pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup apple cider
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme or rosemary, chopped
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes.
  2. Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat until the oil shimmers but does not smoke, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Place pork chops in the skillet and sear without moving for 4-5 minutes until edges are golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for another 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). For thicker chops, reduce heat to medium and cover loosely for 1-2 minutes to finish cooking.
  4. Remove pork chops from skillet and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
  5. Lower heat to medium and add butter to the skillet. Melt the butter, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Pour in 1 cup apple cider, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let cider simmer and reduce by half, about 5-7 minutes.
  7. Stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, fresh thyme or rosemary, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  8. Return pork chops to the skillet and spoon sauce over them. Warm together for 1 minute. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  9. Serve pork chops hot with extra apple cider cream sauce spooned over the top, garnished with fresh thyme if desired.

Notes

Pat pork chops dry before searing to get a crispy crust. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 145°F for juicy, slightly pink pork. Reduce apple cider by half to concentrate flavor. Rest pork chops after cooking to redistribute juices. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and butter with olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork chops, cast iron skillet, apple cider cream sauce, quick dinner, comfort food, easy recipe, fall recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/savory-cast-iron-pork-chops-recipe-with-easy-apple-cider-cream-sauce/