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Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops

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These apple cider braised pork chops are tender, juicy, and packed with cozy fall flavors from apples, onions, and fresh herbs. The sweet-tangy cider sauce is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, and the recipe is flexible for different dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 pork chops (about 1-inch thick, bone-in or boneless)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large firm apple (such as Honeycrisp or Granny Smith), cored and thinly sliced
  • 3–4 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary
  • 1.5 cups apple cider (not apple cider vinegar)
  • 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Dredge lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear pork chops 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the pan. When melted, stir in sliced onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté 5 minutes until softened and just starting to caramelize. Stir in minced garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
  4. Add sliced apple and fresh thyme or rosemary. Cook 2-3 minutes until apples begin to soften but still hold shape.
  5. Pour in apple cider and chicken broth. Scrape up browned bits from the bottom. Stir in Dijon mustard and brown sugar if using.
  6. Return pork chops (plus any juices) to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon onions and apples over the top. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for 25-30 minutes.
  7. Uncover, increase heat to medium, and simmer 5-7 more minutes until sauce thickens slightly and pork is cooked through (internal temp 145°F). Discard herb stems. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Plate pork chops with plenty of onions, apples, and sauce. Garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or skip dredging. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter. Sear pork well for maximum flavor and simmer gently for tenderness. Sauce thickens as it cools; for a thicker sauce, simmer uncovered at the end. Leftovers keep well and flavors deepen overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider pork chops, braised pork chops, fall dinner, easy pork recipe, skillet pork chops, comfort food, apple pork, weeknight dinner, autumn recipe

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/apple-cider-braised-pork-chops-recipe-easy-tender-dinner-idea/