Description
Succulent pork chops swimming in a rich, creamy bacon sauce elevate comfort dining to gourmet heights. Hearty home cooking meets restaurant-quality elegance with this simple yet sophisticated main course perfect for satisfying hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1-inch thick)
- 4 slices bacon (chopped)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Thoroughly blot pork chops with clean paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp exterior during cooking.
- Create a flavor-packed seasoning blend by generously coating both sides of the meat with a mixture of salt, freshly ground black pepper, aromatic garlic powder, and smoky paprika.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high temperature, allowing it to become thoroughly hot before adding cooking fat.
- Gently place seasoned pork chops into the skillet, allowing them to sear undisturbed for approximately 3-4 minutes until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Flip the chops carefully, cooking the opposite side for an additional 3-4 minutes until achieving an equally rich, caramelized surface.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and introduce crispy chopped bacon pieces into the skillet, rendering their savory fat and infusing the meat with rich, smoky flavor.
- Pour heavy cream around the pork chops, creating a luxurious sauce that will gently simmer and reduce, coating the meat with a velvety, indulgent finish.
- Allow the cream to bubble and thicken for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure even sauce distribution.
- Test the pork chops’ internal temperature with a meat thermometer, confirming they reach 145°F for perfectly cooked, juicy meat.
- Remove skillet from heat, letting the chops rest for 3-5 minutes to redistribute internal juices, then plate and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Ensure pork chops are completely dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in juicy flavors.
- Use thick-cut chops for maximum tenderness and prevent overcooking, which can make the meat tough and dry.
- Consider using low-sodium bacon if watching salt intake, as bacon naturally adds significant saltiness to the dish.
- For a gluten-free option, swap regular flour with almond flour or cornstarch when creating the creamy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg