Ingredients
Scale
The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients — quality pork chops with a bit of marbling make all the difference. I always choose bone-in chops when I can; they stay juicy and flavorful while cooking. Fresh garlic and a touch of mustard add depth to the sauce, while brown sugar gives it that signature caramelized sweetness. I also keep a good-quality broth on hand to enrich the pan sauce. Feel free to swap out fresh herbs for dried if you’re in a pinch, but fresh always brings that extra pop of flavor.
- 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme or rosemary sprigs (optional)
Instructions
- Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork chops and sear for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove chops and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic to the skillet, and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant — be careful not to burn it.
- Stir in the brown sugar and Dijon mustard, mixing well to combine.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits — this adds incredible flavor to your sauce.
- Return the pork chops to the skillet, spoon some sauce over them, and add fresh thyme or rosemary if using.
- Cover the skillet and let the pork chops simmer gently for 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (use a meat thermometer for accuracy).
- Remove pork chops from the pan, let rest for 5 minutes, and then serve drizzled with the pan sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Brown Sugar Pork Chops, recipe, cooking, food
