Tender Apple Butter Pork Chops (Printer-friendly)

Juicy pork chops in sweet apple butter sauce with caramelized onions and warm spices for a comforting meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 bone-in pork chops (about 1 inch thick)

→ Fruits & Vegetables

02 - 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
03 - 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Sauce & Pantry

05 - 1/2 cup apple butter
06 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
07 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, pressing the spices into the meat to adhere.
02 - Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter foams. Sear the pork chops for 3 minutes per side until deep golden brown. Remove to a plate and set aside.
03 - Add sliced onions and apples to the same skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together apple butter, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and ground cinnamon until smooth and fully combined.
05 - Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with apples and onions. Stir well to incorporate any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
06 - Return the pork chops and any accumulated juices back to the skillet. Spoon some of the sauce over the chops to coat evenly.
07 - Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 12-15 minutes. Cook until pork chops reach 145°F internal temperature and are tender throughout.
08 - Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Serve pork chops topped with softened apples, onions, and extra sauce from the skillet.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The apple butter creates an incredible glossy sauce that clings to every bite
  • Everything cooks in one skillet so cleanup takes minutes
  • It tastes like something from a restaurant but comes together on a busy weeknight
02 -
  • Do not skip resting the pork after cooking or all those wonderful juices will run out onto the plate
  • The sauce thickens as it cools, so if it looks too thin right after cooking give it a few minutes
  • Apple butter brands vary in sweetness so taste your sauce and adjust with a splash more vinegar if needed
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer instead of cutting into the pork to check doneness
  • If your apple butter is very thick, add a splash more broth to reach a pourable consistency
  • Let the skillet come back up to temperature after adding the apples before covering

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