Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples
Updated
Updated
With juicy boneless pork chops topped with caramelized apples, this Pork Chops with Apples recipe is a super tasty and easy one-pan dinner that offers the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors.
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Easy One-Pan Pork Chops and Apples
Any dinner that requires just one pan to make is always a favorite of mine – the fewer dishes to clean up, the better.
This pork chops and apples recipe joins the many one-pan recipes I’ve shared in the past, and definitely another favorite. It’s made with just a handful of ingredients and features juicy boneless pork chops topped with apples caramelized in brown sugar. It’s so so good.
Looking for more easy pork chop recipes? Try my air fryer pork chops too!
Why You’ll Love This Skillet Pork Chops with Apples Recipe
Here are a few reasons why I love this pork chops with apples recipe.
- Sweet and savory. This dish offers the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, with the lightly seasoned pork chops offering classic savory flavor while the apples caramelized in brown sugar add a lovely sweetness.
- One pan. Perhaps my favorite part of this pork and apples recipe is that everything is cooked in one pan, which means way fewer dishes to clean up.
- Quick and easy. From start to finish, it takes just 35 minutes to pull this dish together. The pork chops cook in 15 minutes or so and the apples need less than 10 minutes to caramelize.
Ingredients Needed
This easy pork chops recipe requires just a handful of ingredients.
(Scroll down to the recipe card below for details and measurements.)
- Pork chops – You’ll want boneless pork chops that are approximately 3/4-inch thick. If you use bone-in pork chops, the cooking time may change.
- Seasonings – Salt, pepper, and onion powder season the pork chops while dried thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg add flavor to the caramelized apples.
- Butter – For searing the pork and caramelizing the apples.
- Brown sugar – Sweetens the apples.
- Apple – I used one Granny Smith and one Gala apple for a variety in flavor, as well as to have both red and green apples for a nice color contrast.
- Toasted pecans – Adds some texture to the final dish.
How to Make Pork Chops with Apples
Here’s an overview of how to make these pork chops with caramelized apples.
(Scroll down to the recipe card below for details and measurements.)
- Cook the pork chops. Season the pork chops with salt, pepper, and onion powder. Cook in a tablespoon of butter for 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway. Transfer to a plate to keep warm.
- Caramelize the apples. In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Stir in the brown sugar, dried thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg then add the apples and toss to coat. Cover and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until tender.
- Serve. Serve the pork chops with the apple mixture and toasted chopped pecans, as well as some fresh thyme if desired.
Tips & Variations
Here are a few tips for making this pork chops and apples dinner, along with a variation or two to try.
- Don’t overcook the pork. Pork is ready to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 145F. Overcooking it can lead to tough, dry pork chops.
- Add some onions. If you love onions, feel free to add some to this recipe. They caramelize nicely with the apples.
- Slice the apples evenly. Try to make sure each apple slice is the same thickness, so that they cook evenly and quickly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your pork chops topped with the apples and pecans. You can add a side salad or some veggies, like roasted broccoli or asparagus. A potato side works well too, like mashed potatoes or a baked sweet potato.
Proper Storage
- Fridge. Store leftover pork and apples in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t really recommend freezing this dish, since the apples get mushy and unappetizing once thawed.
- Reheat. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated, taking care to not dry out the pork. Keep in mind that the apples will become mushier as they release moisture.
More Pork Recipes:
- Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Roasted Pork Tenderloin
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Sweet and Sour Pork
- Best Pulled Pork
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Pork Chops with Caramelized Apples
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops, (3/4 inch-thick)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup butter, , divided
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, (plus fresh thyme sprigs for garnish)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 medium Granny Smith apple, , cored and sliced into half moons 1/4-inch thick
- 1 medium Gala apple, , cored and sliced into half moons 1/4-inch thick
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
Instructions
- Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel, then season on both sides with the salt, pepper, and onion powder.
- Over medium heat, warm 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet. Once bubbly, add the pork chops and cook 10 to 12 minutes, turning halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 145F. Transfer from the skillet to a plate, cover and keep warm.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Stir in the brown sugar, dried thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the apples and toss to coat. Cover the skillet and cook until the apples are tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Serve pork chops topped with the apple mixture along with the toasted chopped pecans. Garnish with fresh thyme, if desired.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!
I had all of the ingredients on hand and decided to try it at the last minute. It came together quickly and the flavors were delicious.
Better than a restaurant. Delicious!