Pork chops get a bad rap for being dry, tough, hockey-puck-like pieces of meat that no one gets excited about, but this Glazed Pork Chops recipe is guaranteed to change your mind. These boneless pork chops are tender, juicy, and done in just a few minutes, which makes them perfect for weeknight dinners. What’s the secret? Cooking the pork chops fast and coating the pork chops in a smoky, spicy, sugar glaze helps hold in the moisture. So you can stop looking. You’ve found the best pork chop recipe and the last one you’ll ever need!
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Ingredients for Glazed Pork Chops
The best part about this pork chop recipe is the incredible flavor you get with just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious and juicy boneless brown sugar glazed pork chop recipe:
- Pork Chops: You’ll need boneless pork chops for this recipe to make sure they cook through in the quick cook time and before the glaze burns. Aim for pork chops that are about ¾-inch thick.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is the base of the spice rub and is the magic ingredient that transforms into a glaze when it combines with the pork juices and heat. Use dark brown sugar for this recipe.
- Spices: A simple mix of cayenne pepper, garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper creates a deliciously savory and slightly spicy flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of the brown sugar. You can use smoked paprika for an extra smoky finish!
- Olive Oil: You can use olive oil or your favorite cooking oil for this recipe. The oil helps the pork chops achieve a nice sear in the hot skillet.
What Kind of Pork Chops to Use
This pork chop recipe works best with center-cut boneless pork chops that are about ¾ inch thick. Thin-cut pork chops will cook too quickly and will likely dry out. Bone-in pork chops take much longer to cook, and the glaze will likely burn by the time the pork chops cook through. So, stick to center-cut boneless pork chops for best results!
If you don’t like pork chops, you can make a similar recipe with pre-cooked ham steaks or chicken thighs. See my Glazed Ham Steaks recipe and Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs for reference.
Air Fryer Glazed Pork Chops
This brown sugar glazed pork chop recipe is undoubtedly best cooked in a hot skillet where direct contact with the hot pan creates a perfect thick glaze, but you can make these pork chops in an air fryer if needed. Just keep in mind that the glaze will not be as thick and sticky as the pan fry method.
To make these boneless pork chops in an air fryer, follow these instructions:
- Coat the pork chops in a thin layer of oil before coating in the spice mix.
- Preheat the air fryer to 420ºF for five minutes.
- Add the pork chops and cook at 420ºF for 7 minutes. Flip the pork chops and cook for an additional 8 minutes.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the pork has reached 145ºF, adding additional time if needed.
Make sure to use boneless center-cut pork chops that are approximately ¾-inch thick. The cook time will increase with a thicker pork chop and decrease with a thinner pork chop.
What to Serve with Glazed Pork Chops
Pork chops are a classic comfort food, so comfort food side dishes are a natural match. Comfort food recipes like Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Green Bean Casserole, Fried Cabbage, or Collard Greens would be awesome. If you want to go with something lighter, Roasted Broccoli, Honey Mustard Broccoli Salad, Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad, or even an Apple Dijon, and Kale Salad would be great.
Sweet and Spicy Glazed Pork Chops
Servings 4Ingredients
- 1/4 cup brown sugar ($0.12)
- 1/2 tsp cayenne powder ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp paprika ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp salt ($0.05)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper ($0.05)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil ($0.32)
- 4 thick cut boneless pork chops ($5.97)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Remove the pork chops from their package and rub the seasoning mixture over all sides of each chop. The moisture from the meat will help the seasoning to adhere to the surface.
- Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over a medium flame. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the pork chops. Cook the chops for about 5 minutes on each side, until nicely browned.
- If your chops are greater than one-inch thick, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven for another 5-10 minutes to finish cooking. Test the chops with a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature has reached 145ºF. Cook longer if needed.
- Dredge the chops through the thick sauce in the bottom of the pan just before serving.
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Nutrition
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Look at that juicy, glazed goodness… 🤤
How to Make Glazed Pork Chops – Step By Step Photos
In a small bowl stir together 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and some freshly cracked pepper.
Rub the spice mix over both sides of four thick-cut boneless pork chops. The moisture from the meat will dissolve the sugar and help the spices adhere to the surface.
Heat 2 Tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until the oil is shimmering. Place the chops in the pan and cook on each side for about 5 minutes or until browned.
Depending on the thickness of the chops, you may need to transfer the skillet to the oven (only if using an oven-safe skillet) to finish cooking. These chops were about an inch thick and were cooked through once browned on both sides. If any thicker you may need to finish in a 350ºF oven for 5-10 minutes to make sure the internal temperature reaches 145ºF.
Dredge the pork chops in the glaze that has formed in the skillet before serving. You can also tilt the skillet and scoop it up with a spoon, then drizzle it over the chops.
😍😍😍 This glazed pork chops recipe has me mesmerized!
I added a little chopped parsley to the brown sugar glazed pork chops just for kicks (or color, actually), but it’s not necessary for flavor!
Followed this recipe to a T as well and the glaze burned horribly. The instructions said to get the oil “very hot” and cook on medium/high for 5 minutes on each side. It was badly blackened after 2-3 minutes on the first side. There is no way medium/high heat wouldn’t burn this rub.
It also depends on the type of skillet you have. The thinner the skillet, the easier it will burn.
This was great! Thanks for a quick, easy dinner!
I followed this to a T and The sugar burned while still on the stove top… Was this somehow user error?
It sounds like the heat may have been a bit too high.
Loved this easy, delicious recipe!
This was a hit with everybody in the family
Best written recipe I’ve come across – look forward to trying it.
hi, can you tell me what I’m doing wrong? I’ve made this recipe about five times and each time it doesn’t turn out. All of the spices somehow cook off of the chop (besides the cayenne, the are spicy), and the glaze that forms in the pan solidifies before I can use it. I’m not sure what to do, I follow every step, I use the right about of rub, I use thick boneless pork chops, and I cook them just until they’re done. I can tell the chops aren’t overlooked, but I would really like it if they had glaze left on them and even left over when I make them.
Hmm, that’s a tough one. Try drying the chops off with a paper towel before coating with the spices. I think there should still be enough residual moisture to help the rub stick. Maybe they were just too wet? Also, try lowering the heat in the skillet just a tad so that the glaze doesn’t cook until it’s hardened. Finally, maybe try adding a little more oil to the skillet. Perhaps having more of a barrier will help the glaze stay on the chops instead of on the pan.
I tried this and I wrapped the chops in aluminum foil before putting them in the oven. I think it helps to really seal in the flavor. Not sure if that helps but maybe worth a shot?
I have been looking for a good pork chop recipe for a long time, and I have found it. Its sweet but also a hint of spiciness, super easy to make, and turns out perfect. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
delicious
Beth, I could literally write a novel about how thankful I am I found your website. I’ve made at least 30 of your recipes and tonight my boyfriend looked at me and said “I really think these are the best pork chops youve ever made” :))
Also, these were so easy and fast and I live with my boyfriend and his two male roommates and food goes quick here so having quick easy delicious meals is sooo helpful. Thanks for this and all the other awesome recipes!! <3
Awww, thank you so much. That really makes my day! :)
Beth, I am having a dinner party of 10. Hate to be frying chops while people are coming in the house. If I fry them and put in oven on low and covered, them, how long before they get too dry. It looks so good really wanted to have them.
Hmmm, unfortunately I don’t know. I’ve never kept fried chops in the oven like that before. :(
This is my M-I-L recipe, she usually adds 2 Tbl water to make a sauce. Coats one side and puts in oven at 350, depending on thickness of chop but usually 30 to 40 mins. Turns once and coat other side half way through. I have also made these in the crock pot. Very yummy!
I’m excited to try this! Is it to spicy? Husband I love spicy but kids not so much.
It’s a little spicy, but you can always halve the cayenne just in case. :)
another Pinterest dinner success, cooking these now and they smell/look/taste absolutely amazing, instead of using half a teaspoon of my spices I went ahead and did a full teaspoon, turned out great. A good spin on southern pork chops
Just finished making this and it’s delicious. I added a tiny bit of cinnamon and some turmeric to the rub as well and it came out great. Also super simple and takes almost no time at all. Served with some roast squash.
Can I use this rub with Bbq ribs?
Probably! I’ve never tried it, but I bet it would be good.