Juicy Baked Pork Chops

Oven Baked Pork Chops are juicy and tender. These delicious pork chops are quick cooking and so easy to make. A simple seasoning mix gives these chops lots of flavor. Making pork chops in the oven is a great way to get a tasty dinner on the table in less time.

The Best Baked Pork Chops

For those looking for quick and easy weeknight dinners, it's hard to beat the simplicity and versatility of baked pork chops. With a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you can have a mouthwatering meal on the table in no time.

Pork chops are quick cooking, super versatile, and very economical, making it easy to feed a hungry family!

We used to use "Shake 'n Bake" back in the day! We'd put the seasoned coating in a paper bag, dump in the chops, and "Shake Shake Shake"!

Those were some good pork chops, but weren't always juicy and tender. I theorize that was because the so-called "Safe" temperature for pork was much higher back then, and we were all just cooking the moisture right out of those poor chops!

Why Oven Bake Pork Chops?

Baking pork chops in the oven offers the following benefits:
• Moisture Retention: Baking seals in the natural juices, resulting in moist and tender pork chops.
• Easy Preparation: Baking requires minimal effort, allowing you to multitask while the chops cook.
• Versatility: You can customize flavors and add ingredients like seasonings, canned soups, or vegetables to the same baking dish.
• Healthier Option: Baking uses less oil compared to frying, reducing overall calories and fat.
• Consistent Results: The oven temperature stays consistent. You can easily achieve desired doneness. (monitor the internal temperature with a digital thermometer).
• Easy Cleanup: Baking in a dish simplifies cleaning up after cooking.

Should I Brine My Pork Chops?

You can if you want, and have the time. Brining can improve the juiciness, tenderness, and flavor of the meat. Things to consider:
• Brining enhances moisture and tenderness in the pork chop.
• Brine adds flavor by allowing seasonings to penetrate the meat.
• Brining requires additional time and planning.
• It can make the pork chop slightly saltier.
• Thicker cuts benefit more from brining.
• If simplicity is preferred or the pork chop is thin, brining can be skipped.

Ultimately, brining can be beneficial for achieving juicy and flavorful pork chops, but it's not necessary for everyone or every cooking situation.

What About Marinating Pork Chops?

Marinating pork chops is a technique that enhances flavor and tenderness. I often marinate my pork chops when I'm going to grill them.
• Marinating infuses flavors into the pork chops.
• It can tenderize the meat, depending on the ingredients used.
• Marinating times vary but typically range from 30 minutes to several hours.
• Be cautious not to over-marinate, which can affect texture.
• Marinating offers versatility for different flavor combinations.

My favorite Pork Chop Marinade recipe
Marinating is optional, and you can still achieve delicious pork chops without it.

More Easy Pork Chop Recipes

Maple Glazed Pork Chops
Baked Ranch Pork Chops
Maple Ginger Pork Chops
Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Pork Chops

A Word About Cook Time

• One of the reasons this recipe yields juicy tender pork chops is because you cook it at a higher temperature for a brief amount of time.
• A good rule of thumb is about 7 minutes baking time in a 400 degree oven per half inch thickness of meat for boneless. 8 minutes per half inch for bone-in.
• Using an instant read meat thermometer lets you take the internal temperature of the meat quickly. You want the pork chop to be 140°F.

What If the Pork Chops are Pink in the Middle?

As long as the temperature of the meat is at least 140°F, a little pink is perfectly fine. Back in the day the temperature that was considered safe was 165°F, which gave dry chops, but that has since been updated.

I hope you enjoyed learning how to bake pork chops. Give it a try, it's a great pork chop recipe!

Dinner Recipes You Might Also Like

Cube Steak with Onion Gravy
Classic Pot Roast
Classic Stuffed Peppers
Shrimp Scampi (Red Lobster Copycat)

If you make this juicy pork chop recipe, please leave a comment with a star rating below. I'd love to know how you liked them!

Baked Pork Chops

Baked Pork Chops are juicy and tender. These delicious pork chops are quick cooking and so easy to make. A simple seasoning mix gives these chops lots of flavor.

5 from 1 vote

Print Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to bake a pork chop

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 450kcal

Author: Sandy

Ingredients

• 4 Pork Chops 1" to 1 1/2" thick
• 2-3 Tbsp Olive Oil

SPICE MIX

• 1 tsp Paprika
• 2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 2 tsp Onion Powder
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400° F
• Place the pork chops in a baking dish*.
• Brush the olive oil on both sides of the chops, then sprinkle the spice mix on both sides.
• Bake the pork chops for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat is 140° F. Cook time will depend on the thickness of the pork chops. Don't let them overcook or they will dry out.
• After taking them out of the oven, lightly cover with foil and let rest for 10 minutes before serving**.

Notes

*Make sure the baking dish isn't too much larger than the chops as the extra space in the dish will dry them out easier. For example, if you are using a 9"x13" dish, and only 2 pork chops, there will be some extra space in the dish. Try finding a smaller baking dish.

You could add some veggies to the dish to fill in that extra space. Drizzle them with olive oil and a little salt.

**Serve with potatoes, rice, steamed or roasted vegetables, salad, cauliflower rice, pasta, or any side dishes you like!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 450kcal