Apple Pork Chops – The Almond Eater

This 30-minute Apple Pork Chops recipe simmers seared pork chops, caramelized onions, and sliced apples in a savory-sweet pan sauce to give you a cozy and satisfying fall dinner.

As the cold weather blows in, it brings warm and comforting flavors along with it. I try to indulge in as many cozy ingredients as possible during fall and winter because, besides putting on a wool sweater, there’s no better way to warm up than with a plate of pumpkin pasta, a steaming hot bowl of beef stew, or these oh-so-cozy Apple Pork Chops.

Pork and apples are a classic pairing (ever heard of applesauce and pork chops?), especially during the colder months. The tart and slightly acidic apples cut through the rich, somewhat sweet pork, leaving you with a harmony of downright delicious flavors. This recipe gives the duo a bit of an upgrade by incorporating caramelized apples with the pork, all in one skillet.

Combined with a rich, savory, and sweet pan sauce, the seared pork chops and caramelized onions and apples give you an incredibly satisfying dish. And as a 30-minute one-skillet meal, I know you’ll want to keep it on repeat, too!

Recipe features

• Juicy seared pork chops are simmered with apples and onions in a cozy sauce to leave you with savory-sweet heaven! 
• The rich and comforting flavors pair well with all kinds of cozy side dishes, from mashed sweet potatoes to roasted squash.
• It’s a one-skillet, 30-minute dinner that should be kept on repeat throughout fall and winter.

Ingredients 

Pork chops – Opt for 1-inch thick bone-in pork chops. They’re juicy and flavorful, so all you need is a little salt and pepper to bring out their natural goodness! You can use boneless pork chops if that’s what you already have at home, but remember that they will likely cook faster than bone-in chops.

Apples and onions – Caramelized yellow onions and apple slices make up the base of the sauce for the pork chops. I recommend using sweet and tart-tasting apples with a firm texture, like Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonathan, Fuji, or Pink Lady apples, so they don’t fall apart in the pan and offer the dish a good balance of flavor.

Chicken broth – A splash of quality store-bought or homemade chicken broth adds moisture and flavor to the sauce and pork.

Honey – It adds a subtle sweetness and gives the onions and apples a beautifully glazed finish. Feel free to use maple syrup or agave as a substitute.

Fresh herbs – Use whatever fresh herbs you have on hand, but parsley, thyme, and rosemary are particularly perfect with pork chops and apples.

Instructions

Step 1: Sear. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, then place them in a hot oiled skillet and brown them on both sides. Transfer to a plate. 

Step 2: Cook the onions and apples. Reduce the heat and add the butter to the now-empty pan. Once melted, add the onions, apples, and a pinch of salt. Sauté until soft and caramelized, then stir in the honey and some of the chicken broth.

Step 3: Add the pork chops. Nestle the pork chops back into the skillet, cover with a lid, and cook for about 10 minutes.

Step 4: Make the slurry. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining chicken broth and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the skillet and simmer until the sauce thickens. 

Step 5: Serve. Garnish the chops with fresh herbs, then plate them with the apple-onion sauce on top. Enjoy!

Tips and FAQs

• After adding the chicken broth to the skillet, don’t forget to scrape up the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula. Those bits are packed with flavor! 
• Feeling fancy? Deglaze the skillet with a splash of dry white wine instead of broth for a sophisticated, bright taste that complements the apples and onions perfectly.
• Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your pork chops. For pork chops thinner than 1 inch, check them for doneness around the 6-minute mark. And for perfectly apple-roasted pork chops, use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 145°F before serving. 

Variations

• Add more veggies or fruits – Caramelized mushrooms, bell peppers, and/or cranberries would be tasty alongside the pork apple sauce.
• Upgrade the sauce – Use a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, or whole grain mustard in the sauce for some tanginess. 
• Add warm spices – A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, or red pepper flakes will add a warm, aromatic flavor and a subtle kick of spice.
• Make it creamy – Stir in a splash of heavy cream or half-and-half at the end for a more decadent, creamy sauce.

Serving suggestions

Pork chops and apples scream “heartwarming, cozy dinner,” so comforting fall and winter side dishes are a must-have. A bowl of my carrot apple ginger soup or a side of these brown butter sweet potatoes would be delicious. Or, if you’re in the mood for grains, why not go with a side of bone broth rice or caramelized onion quinoa?

For a lighter meal, pair the pork chops with a refreshing pear salad or roasted sweet potatoes, green beans, brussels sprouts, or carrots. And don’t forget the crusty bread to soak up every drop of the delicious pan sauce!

Can I make this in a crockpot?

Yes! To make slow cooker apple pork chops, sear the pork chops as normal before transferring them to your slow cooker with the onions, apples, honey, and chicken broth. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Before serving, stir in the cornstarch slurry and let the sauce cook for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until it’s thickened.  

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the leftover apple pork chops in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: They also freeze well for up to 2 months. Before reheating, thaw the frozen chops and apple sauce in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheating: Reheat the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep the pork chops moist during reheating, if needed.

More pork chop recipes

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Apple Pork Chops

This 30-minute Apple Pork Chops recipe simmers seared pork chops, caramelized onions, and sliced apples in a savory-sweet pan sauce to give you a cozy and satisfying fall dinner.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

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Instructions

• Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the pork chops and cook for 4 minutes per side; transfer to a plate.

• Reduce heat to medium-low, then add the butter. Once it’s melted, add the onion, apple and a pinch of salt and sauté until soft, 8-12 minutes.

• Next, add the honey and stir to combine, then pour in ¼ cup of chicken broth.

• Nestle the pork chops back in, place a lid on the skillet and cook until the pork chops are cooked through, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so the onions don’t burn.

• While the pork chops are cooking, whisk the remaining broth and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Once the 10 minutes are up, remove the lid and pour the broth/cornstarch mixture into the skillet and simmer for 2 more minutes or until the sauce thickens, reducing the heat as needed. You want the onions to be deeply caramelized, but you don’t want them to burn.

• Remove from the heat and garnish with fresh parsley, thyme or rosemary. Enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are per serving and are an estimation. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 552kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 163mg | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 679mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 537IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg

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