Description
Savory brown sugar chops bring Southern comfort to dinner tables with their irresistible sweet-and-tangy glaze. Juicy pork meets caramelized brown sugar, creating a mouthwatering main course you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1 inch thick)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Craft a robust spice blend by combining brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly massage this aromatic mixture onto both sides of the pork chops, ensuring complete coverage.
- Searing Stage: Ignite a large skillet over medium-high heat, introducing olive oil or butter. Carefully lower the seasoned chops into the sizzling pan, allowing them to develop a rich, caramelized exterior for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Cooking Technique: Reduce heat to medium, cover the skillet, and continue cooking for 4-6 minutes. Monitor the internal temperature, aiming for 145F (63C). Alternatively, transfer the skillet to a preheated 375F (190C) oven to complete the cooking process.
- Resting and Finishing: Gently remove the chops from heat, letting them rest for 5 minutes to redistribute internal juices. For an enhanced flavor profile, quickly deglaze the skillet with chicken broth or apple juice, scraping up the concentrated flavor bits and creating a quick pan sauce to drizzle over the perfectly cooked pork chops.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure pork reaches 145F for perfect doneness without overcooking, preventing dry and tough meat.
- Apply spice rub generously and pat dry before cooking to help create a flavorful, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
- Always let pork chops rest 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices, guaranteeing tender and succulent meat with maximum flavor retention.
- Can easily adapt recipe for skillet or oven finishing, providing versatility for different kitchen setups and personal cooking preferences.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg