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    Home » Dinner Recipes » The Best Baked Pork Chops

    Published: Apr 15, 2019 Modified: Jun 8, 2023 by Catherine Arena 24 Comments

    The Best Baked Pork Chops

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    Make these perfect Baked Pork Chops (Chuletas de Cerdo al Horno) in the oven. Guaranteed to cook perfectly tender and juicy with just a few simple techniques. No more dry oven baked pork chops!

    Baked Pork Chops on a white platter topped with cilantro sprigs.

    These juicy tender Baked Pork Chops are excellent!  Savory, succulent, just perfectly tender and juicy!  Follow the steps in this simple recipe and I guarantee you will also agree!

    Unfortunately oven baked pork chops always seem to get a bad rap because they can easily dry up in the oven.  But I promise there are some really simple tips and tricks to overcome this dilemma.

    A lot of cooks believe that in order to avoid dry oven pork chops, you have to buy thick chops and cook them for 20 minutes and they will come out perfect.  Other cooks suggest stuffing your pork chops and this technique will keep them tender.

    But I’ve got a trick to keep oven baked pork chops tender and it works every time!

    For some there’s another dilemma.  Pale pork chops that don’t look very appealing or appetizing.

    Baked pork chops served on a large white platter and topped with cilantro sprigs.

    (See these don’t look pale! 😋)

    Well I’m here to say you don’t need 2 inch pork chops or pale ones either.

    Although thicker pork chops is ideal for oven baked pork chops, it is absolutely not necessary.

    What I do almost insist on is choosing pork chops with the bone in.  They just make for juicier, tastier pork chops.

    Seasoning for Juicy Pork Chops

    When it comes to oven baked chops, I like the seasoning to be simple, I like to keep true to the flavor of the pork chop.

    So I simply add salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika.

    You however can season your chops whichever way you like.

    How to Bake Pork Chops

    Tip #1  (Here’s the Main Trick!)

    First rinse the the pork chops and then let them sit in a brine of salt and water for 30 minutes.  If you don’t have 30 minutes to spare, at least make sure to marinate them in the brine for 15 minutes.  This step is important because it tenderizes the pork.

    Rinse again with cold water and then season.  Let them sit for a few minutes.

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

    Rinsed pork chops, ready to brine them.
    Pork chops sitting in a brine solution in a large blue bowl.
    Pork chops seasoned with garlic powder, salt, pepper and paprika on a white plate.

    Tip #2 

    In the meantime heat an oven proof skillet over medium high heat.  (I use a cast iron)  Add one to two tablespoons of oil.

    Add the pork chops and sear on each side for a few minutes to give them color.

    Seared pork chops in a cast iron skillet ready to finish cooking in the oven.

    Look how perfect they look already.

    Oven Baked Pork Chops in a cast iron skillet.

    Finish cooking the pork chops in the oven.

    Pork chops are done cooking.  They are perfectly juicy and tender now.

    ** Let the pork chops sit for a few minutes before serving to hold in the juices the same way you would with a steak.

    Oven Baked Pork Chops in a cast iron skillet.

    Note:  If pork chops are half an inch thick, cook for 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.  (62 degrees Celsius).

    If they are an inch, cook for 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (62 degrees Celsius)

    Baked pork chops served on a large white platter and topped with cilantro sprigs.

    What to serve Baked Pork Chops With

    Puerto Rican Rice and Beans

    Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Beans) serve with white or yellow rice

    Arroz Mamposteao (Dirty Rice and Beans)

    Garlic Tostones (Fried Garlic Plantains)

    Baked or Mashed Potatoes and a side of veggies

    Morisqueta (Mexican Beans in a Savory Tomato Sauce with Rice)

    📖 Recipe

    Baked pork chops served on a large white platter and topped with cilantro sprigs.

    Baked Pork Chops

    Make these perfect Baked Pork Chops in the oven.  Guaranteed to cook perfectly tender and juicy with just a few simple techniques.  No more dry oven baked pork chops!
    4.79 from 19 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 288kcal
    Author: Catherine Arena

    Ingredients

    For Brine

    • 1 tbsp salt to every one cup of water

    For Chops

    • 4 half inch thick pork chops with bone in Make however many pork chops you need
    • garlic powder lightly sprinkled on both sides of chops
    • paprika lightly sprinkled on both sides of chops
    • salt and pepper lightly sprinkled on both sides of chops
    • oil for searing chops

    Instructions

    Brine the Pork Chops

    • Rinse and brine the pork chops in the brine solution for 30 minutes.
      If you don’t have 30 minutes, brine for at least 15 minutes.
    • Remove pork chops from brine and rinse with cold water.
      Season and let seat for a few minutes.
    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C)
    • In the meantime heat an oven proof skillet over medium high heat.  (I use a cast iron)  Add one to two tablespoons of oil.
    • Add the pork chops and sear on each side for a few minutes to give them color.
    • Finish cooking the pork chops in the oven.  Porks chops are ready when internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (62 C).  (Refer to notes)
    • Let the pork chops sit for a few minutes before serving to hold in the juices the same way you would with a steak.Done!

    Notes

    Serve with rice, potatoes or veggies or take a look at my other suggestions in the post.
    Note:  If pork chops are half an inch thick, cook for 10 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F.  (62 degrees Celsius).
    If they are an inch, cook for 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F (62 degrees Celsius)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4 | Calories: 288kcal | Protein: 35g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 581mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Click the stars above or below to rate or leave a comment down below!

    More Mexican & Puerto Rican Dinner Recipes

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      Cordero Asado al Horno
    • A fully cooked Bourbon Maple Glazed Ham served on a large white platter with a side of green beans.
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    • Macarrones con Queso (macaroni and cheese) baked in a casserole with a small serving on the side.
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      Alambres de Res

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    Comments

    1. kim says

      May 06, 2019 at 7:58 am

      What a great dinner idea! So easy and tasty!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 06, 2019 at 4:28 pm

        Thanks Kim!

        Reply
    2. Danielle Wolter says

      May 06, 2019 at 6:46 am

      these sound delicious. great tip on brining the pork chops to make them juicier. Definitely need to try this!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 06, 2019 at 4:29 pm

        Thanks Danielle!

        Reply
    3. Heidy L. McCallum says

      May 06, 2019 at 6:27 am

      Made these the other day and the chops turned out perfectly juicy. Saving the recipe to make again.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 06, 2019 at 4:31 pm

        Awesome Heidy! Great to hear that!

        Reply
    4. Shashi at SavorySpin says

      May 06, 2019 at 5:02 am

      My pork chops tend to be a bit dry when I bake them, so thank you so much for these tips! Your chops look so darn juicy!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 06, 2019 at 4:32 pm

        Thanks Shashi!

        Reply
    5. Adriana says

      April 22, 2019 at 1:00 am

      Pork chops are amazing and so versatile and so yummy, loving the condiments you used for seasoning and that this can be made in such an easy way. Delicious weekly dinner for sure!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        April 22, 2019 at 10:52 pm

        Thanks Adriana! Yes these are so easy and come out just perfect!

        Reply
    6. Marsha Maxwell says

      April 21, 2019 at 11:47 pm

      I love these brined pork chops! So easy and tasty.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        April 22, 2019 at 10:52 pm

        Thanks Marsha!

        Reply
    7. Veena Azmanov says

      April 21, 2019 at 10:50 pm

      Such delicious dishes are always a welcome home to my family. They to relish it. Have to try it for sure.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        April 22, 2019 at 10:53 pm

        Yes Veena! Cheers!

        Reply
    8. sue | the view from great island says

      April 21, 2019 at 10:42 pm

      I always have trouble with pork chops getting dry, so I’m excited to try your recipe ~ I love the quick 30 minute brine!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        April 22, 2019 at 10:53 pm

        Thanks Sue!

        Reply
    9. michele h peterson says

      April 21, 2019 at 11:50 am

      My husband is a big fan of pork chops and this recipe looks like a perfect combo of intense flavour and tenderness. I’ll give it a try – and thanks too for the sides suggestions.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        April 21, 2019 at 5:22 pm

        Awesome Michele! I’m sure your husband will love these! 😋

        Reply
    10. Adrianne says

      April 21, 2019 at 11:45 am

      I LOVE Mexican seasoning so you have really got me with this one! Pork and mexican seasoning, yum. The step by step photos are great, cheers!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        April 21, 2019 at 5:23 pm

        Thanks Adrianne!

        Reply
    11. Rosa says

      April 21, 2019 at 8:36 am

      Thanks for the great tips! I often overcook my meats in the oven and they get dry so this is very helpful!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        April 21, 2019 at 5:24 pm

        Great to hear Rosa!

        Reply
    12. Natalie says

      April 21, 2019 at 5:43 am

      I love pork chops! Looks so delicious and perfect for dinner!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        April 21, 2019 at 5:24 pm

        Yes they are Natalie! Cheers!

        Reply
    4.79 from 19 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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