The moment I poured that rich, onion-flecked gravy over the seared pork chops in my skillet, a cloud of savory steam rose, filling my kitchen with the scent of caramelized onions, pan-seared pork, and thyme. It smelled like Sunday dinner at my grandma’s house. This recipe is the epitome of cozy, comforting skillet cooking—tender, juicy pork chops smothered in a velvety, deeply flavorful gravy that begs to be sopped up with mashed potatoes. It’s a one-pan wonder that feels incredibly special but is deceptively simple to make on any weeknight.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You will absolutely love this recipe because it delivers a restaurant-quality, soul-satisfying meal with minimal ingredients and just one pan. The technique of building a gravy right in the same skillet you sear the chops captures every bit of delicious flavor, resulting in a sauce that’s rich, savory, and impossible to resist. It’s a forgiving method that turns affordable pork chops into a company-worthy dinner, and it comes together in under an hour. This is the definition of comfort food you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in pork chops, about ¾-inch thick (or boneless)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or full-fat sour cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Let’s talk ingredients. Bone-in pork chops are my first choice—they have more flavor and stay juicier during cooking, but boneless work fine, too. The spice rub of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika is simple but essential; it creates a flavorful crust. That paprika isn’t just for color; it adds a subtle sweetness and depth, especially if you use smoked paprika. For the gravy, chicken broth forms the base. I use low-sodium so I can control the salt. The heavy cream or sour cream at the end is non-negotiable for that luscious, creamy texture. Don’t skip it; it makes a huge difference.(See the next page below to continue…)