Apple Pork Chops Skillet

These apple pork chops smothered in a sweet and savory sauce with melt-in-your-mouth apples have become one of my favorite ways to really elevate a simple pork chop dinner. Everything comes together in a single skillet for an easy main course that is bursting with cozy flavors and always feels just a little bit special.

I started making this on chilly autumn weekends to use up apples from a local orchard and now every fall my family requests this at least once a week. The aromas bring everyone to the table before dinner is even ready.

Ingredients

• Pork chops: look for center cut bone in and well marbled for tenderness and flavor
• Salt and pepper: draw moisture and build the seasoning base
• Italian seasoning: adds herby complexity and makes the pork taste vibrant
• Olive oil: helps get a golden crisp sear on the pork
• Dry white wine: I use chardonnay or pinot grigio for bright acidity but chicken broth works as a sub
• Butter: gives richness and depth to the sauce
• Fresh garlic: creates sharpness and aromatic warmth
• Apple: I love Honeycrisp or Gala for sweetness and structure but any firm cooking apple works
• Chicken broth: provides the body of the sauce opt for low sodium when possible
• Cornstarch: thickens the sauce for a glossy clingy consistency
• Chicken bouillon cube: amps up the savoriness
• Honey: adds floral sweetness and balance
• Balsamic vinegar: delivers tang and complexity
• Brown sugar: deepens the sweetness with a hint of molasses
• Dried thyme oregano mustard powder onion powder parsley: make for an earthy round herbal flavor profile
• Ground sage cinnamon nutmeg: add a warming note and complement the apples beautifully

Choose apples that feel heavy and firm with tight smooth skin and avoid mealy or bruised fruit for best results

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Pork Chops:

Season both sides with salt pepper and Italian seasoning ensuring even coverage. Let the pork sit at room temperature for about forty minutes if you have the time. This resting step helps the meat stay juicy and allows flavors to penetrate.

Mix the Sauce Base:

Combine room temperature chicken broth with cornstarch and mix thoroughly until no lumps remain. Stir in honey balsamic vinegar brown sugar bouillon and all dried spices and set aside. This saves time once you start cooking.

Sear the Pork:

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add pork chops without crowding the pan. Sear two to three minutes until deeply browned then flip and sear the other side about two minutes. Transfer to a plate and let them rest while you start the sauce.

Start the Sauce:

With the pan off the heat pour in white wine and use a silicone spatula to loosen any browned bits from the skillet. Return heat to medium and let wine simmer away by half to concentrate flavor about four minutes.

Add Garlic and Butter:

Stir in butter and minced garlic sautéing together until garlic becomes fragrant and just starts to soften. This step lays down layers of savory flavor for your finish.

Add Sauce Mixture:

Pour in your prepared chicken broth and cornstarch mixture. Stir gently and bring to a boil watching closely as the sauce thickens quickly. Lower heat to a gentle simmer when the sauce is glossy and coats a spoon.

Return Pork and Apples:

Peel and slice apple into quarter inch thick slices. Nestle pork chops back into the skillet along with any collected juices. Tuck apple slices into the sauce covering some with sauce to help them soften.

Simmer to Finish:

Cover the skillet and let everything cook gently five to eight minutes until the apples soften and pork is just cooked through. Remove from heat and let pork rest in the sauce for three minutes to finish cooking and stay juicy.

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My favorite ingredient here has to be the honeycrisp apple which keeps its structure and sweetness even when simmered. Watching my kids sneak apple slices right from the skillet before dinner is one of my favorite memories from countless weeknight meals around this dish.

Storage Tips

Pack leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge up to three days. To freeze place pork and sauce in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to three months. For best results let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating covered in the oven at three hundred fifty degrees until heated through. Apples may soften a little more but the flavor shines just as bright.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap pork for boneless center cut chops if that is what you have simply reduce the cook time to keep them tender. For the wine chicken broth works as an alcohol free substitute. Try maple syrup in place of honey for a slightly richer sweetness. Any firm tart apple such as Granny Smith or Pink Lady will work equally well depending on your taste.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve these succulent pork chops over creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles to soak up every bit of the flavorful sauce. Steamed green beans or a crisp salad with vinaigrette make fresh sides. Leftover chops are also delicious sliced and tucked into sourdough rolls for a next day lunch.

Cultural and Historical Context

Pairing pork and apples stretches back to old European cooking when apples balanced the richness of pork. In American country kitchens especially in the fall this combination became a comfort food classic whenever apples are at their peak. The simple skillet technique gives it a modern twist but the flavors remain timeless.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What apple varieties work best with pork chops?

Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, and Granny Smith are all great options. Choose apples that hold their shape and offer a sweet-tart balance for the sauce.

→ Can I substitute the wine in the sauce?

Yes, chicken broth can be used instead of white wine for the sauce, or try a non-alcoholic white wine for a similar depth of flavor.

→ How do I keep pork chops juicy?

Let pork chops sit at room temperature after seasoning, and avoid overcooking. Searing them quickly on both sides also helps lock in moisture.

→ Which pork chop cuts are best for this dish?

Bone-in, center-cut chops with some marbling work best, as they stay juicier during cooking and absorb flavors well from the sauce.

→ What can I serve with apple pork chops?

These pork chops pair well with sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, steamed green beans, or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.