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Easy 5-Ingredient Pork Chop Skillet with Apples

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Juicy pork chops and caramelized apples come together in one skillet in under 30 minutes. This simple, five-ingredient recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
  • 2 medium firm sweet-tart apples (such as Honeycrisp or Fuji), cored and sliced into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6–8 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let sit at room temperature while prepping the apples.
  2. Core the apples and slice into 1/2-inch thick wedges. No need to peel.
  3. Place a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. Let it melt and start to foam.
  4. Carefully place the pork chops in the hot skillet. Cook without moving for 3-4 minutes until deep golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the second side. Internal temperature should reach 135°F.
  5. Transfer the seared pork chops to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  6. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, apple wedges, and fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and starting to caramelize.
  7. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let bubble for about 30 seconds.
  8. Return the pork chops to the skillet, nestling them among the apples. Spoon some pan juices over the top. Let warm through together for about 1 minute.
  9. Serve immediately, removing thyme sprigs. Spoon remaining pan juices over the top.

Notes

For best results, let pork chops sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Don’t skip the apple cider vinegar—it brightens the dish. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork chops, apples, skillet dinner, 5-ingredient, weeknight dinner, easy recipe, one-pan meal

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