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Savory Bone-In Pork Chops with Easy Apple Bourbon Pan Sauce

bone-in pork chops apple bourbon sauce - featured image
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Juicy bone-in pork chops seared to perfection and served with a buttery, slightly sweet apple bourbon pan sauce. A quick and easy recipe perfect for cozy dinners and impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1-inch thick
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup apple cider or apple juice
  • ¼ cup bourbon (e.g., Maker’s Mark)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • Additional salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the bone-in pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Place a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  3. Add the pork chops to the pan without overcrowding. Sear for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C). Use tongs to flip gently. Remove chops and place on a warm plate to rest.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same pan. Once melted, add chopped shallots and cook until translucent, about 2 minutes.
  5. Add the sliced apples and cook until just softened and slightly caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  7. Pour in the apple cider (or juice) and bourbon to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits with a wooden spoon.
  8. Stir in Dijon mustard and fresh thyme. Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Return the pork chops to the pan, spoon some sauce over them, and warm through for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
  10. Plate the chops, spoon more sauce and apples on top, and serve immediately.

Notes

Pat pork chops dry before seasoning to ensure a good sear. Use bone-in chops for juicier meat. Pour bourbon carefully to avoid flare-ups. If sauce is too thin, simmer longer off heat to thicken naturally without flour or cornstarch. For dairy-free, substitute butter with plant-based alternatives like Earth Balance or coconut oil. Check bourbon and mustard labels for gluten-free compliance.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork chops, bone-in pork chops, apple bourbon sauce, pan sauce, easy dinner, quick pork recipe, savory pork chops, bourbon sauce, apple sauce, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://tastytuck.com/savory-bone-in-pork-chops-with-easy-apple-bourbon-pan-sauce-recipe/