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Tender Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops: Easy One-Pan Dinner

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These tender apple cider braised pork chops are a one-pan wonder that delivers juicy, fork-tender meat in a glossy, sweet-and-savory cider sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy fall dinners, this recipe uses simple ingredients and a foolproof braising method for a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 cups apple cider, unsweetened
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ cup chicken broth, low-sodium
  • 1 apple, thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chops for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook sliced onion for 4-5 minutes until softened and starting to brown. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in apple cider and chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Stir in Dijon mustard, brown sugar, rosemary sprig, and bay leaf. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Return pork chops to the skillet, nestling them into the liquid. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 25-30 minutes.
  6. Remove lid and carefully take out pork chops. Let rest while you finish the sauce. Turn heat to medium-high and simmer sauce uncovered for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in apple slices during the last 2 minutes.
  7. Discard rosemary sprig and bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning. Return pork chops to the pan, spoon sauce over the top, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Don’t skip the sear—it builds deep flavor. Braise on low heat for tender meat. Let pork rest before serving. Double the sauce for extra. For boneless chops, reduce braising time by 10 minutes. For dairy-free, skip butter and use olive oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider braised pork chops, one-pan pork chops, fall pork recipe, easy pork dinner, braised pork chops

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/tender-apple-cider-braised-pork-chops-easy-one-pan-dinner/