Be sure to try my Peach Chicken recipe and my Baked Chicken Thighs next!
Apple Pork Chops
Your taste buds are going to flip when you taste these incredible Apple Pork Chops. Mr. Cozy Cook almost fell out of his chair when he first tried this! The flavors are well-rounded and on point. We’ve got every flavor element represented in this sauce- sweet, savory, tart, and tang, it’s all here, in perfect balance. Check out the post below for my tips on the best pork chops and apples to use, what to serve this with, as well as my pro tips! Don’t miss those!
How to Make It
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions. Sprinkle each side of the pork chops with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning and let them sit for 35-45 minutes. This brining technique makes them more tender, flavorful, and juicier. If short on time, pat completely dry and season just before searing. Heat olive oil and sear the pork in batches until golden brown and crisp. Set aside.
Deglaze the skillet with white wine. Add butter and garlic, then add sauce mixture (chicken broth, chicken bouillon cube, honey, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and cornstarch). Bring to a boil and allow it to thicken, then reduce to a simmer.
Add the pork back and apples and spoon the sauce on top. Cover and simmer until the apples are tender, about 5 minutes. Serve! (See below for serving suggestions!)
Best Pork Chops to Use
Center cut, Bone-in Pork Chops – pictured in this recipe These are the best cut for this recipe as the bone adds more flavor to the meat and sauce. The thicker the cut, the juicier they’ll be. Aim for nicely marbled meat, about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Loin Chops These may also be used, although they are a leaner cut. Boneless Chops These will work as well, although they are the leanest cut which makes them prone to becoming dry. Salt them first and let them sit to mitigate this.
Best Apples to Use
Truly, any kind of apple will work here. But here are some of the best varieties to pair with pork:
Fuji, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Cortland, Jonagold, Braeburn and Granny Smith are all ideal candidates for pork. Gala apples are my personal choice. They’re not too sweet and have a very pleasant taste. They also hold up well in cooking.
What to Serve with Apple Pork Chops
Sausage Stuffing is the perfect side dish to accompany these incredible pork chops! A variety of potato recipes are great too, including sweet potato casserole, roasted, smashed, or mashed potatoes, or cheesy scalloped potatoes! A side of roasted vegetables is great too, especially my roasted carrots.
Storage
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Leftover pork chops do freeze/reheat well. If reheating from frozen: Thaw leftover pork overnight in the fridge (or defrost it in the microwave) and then bake it in a small, lightly greased, covered casserole dish at 350° for 20 minutes or so.
Try These Next
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12-inch skillet– Same one pictured in this recipe. Large Measuring Cup with a Spout -This is what I use to combine the sauce ingredients at the beginning. Kitchen Tongs– makes it easy to handle the pork when searing. Meat Thermometer– Pork chops should be 145° prior to serving. Measuring Spoons– I have these magnetic ones which stay nice and organized in my utensil drawer.
