Description
Brown sugar chops promise a delightful culinary journey through sweet and savory flavors. Succulent pork meets caramelized glaze, inviting diners to savor each perfectly seasoned bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 pork chops (bone-in or boneless, about 1 inch thick)
- ¼ cup (60 g) brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) olive oil or butter
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Combine brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, whisking to create a harmonious spice blend.
- Pork Chop Coating: Thoroughly coat both sides of the pork chops with the prepared spice mixture, pressing gently to ensure complete and even coverage.
- Skillet Searing: Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then carefully place the seasoned pork chops into the hot pan, searing for 3-4 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Temperature Management: Reduce heat to medium, cover the skillet, and continue cooking until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145F (63C), guaranteeing juicy and perfectly cooked meat.
- Resting Phase: Remove chops from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, allowing internal juices to redistribute and enhance tenderness.
- Optional Pan Sauce: Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth or apple juice, scraping up the flavorful browned bits to create a rich sauce for drizzling over the finished pork chops.
- Alternative Cooking Method: For oven finishing, transfer the skillet to a preheated 375F (190C) oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes to achieve optimal doneness.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose bone-in pork chops around 1-inch thick for juicier, more flavorful results with better caramelization.
- Seasoning Technique: Pat chops completely dry before applying spice mix to ensure maximum spice adherence and perfect crispy exterior.
- Temperature Control: Use an instant-read meat thermometer to guarantee precise doneness and prevent overcooking, which can make pork tough and dry.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow chops to rest exactly 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute internal juices, ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg