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!
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!
Sooooooo good!!!!!!!! I made this for my family a few weeks ago and they loved it! It instantly became our go-to pork chop recipe! I am actually making it as I’m trying this right now! Can’t wait until it’s done!
I forgot to add that I cut the cayenne down by about half for my little ones
One recipe says 4cups of brown sugar then the next one says 1/4 cup so what is it ? Is that for one pork chop.or all 4?
It’s 1/4 cup for all four pork chops. I’m not sure where you’re seeing the 4 cups, is it on Pinterest? They use an automated system to pull recipe ingredients and it always messes up, so I wouldn’t trust recipe info that you see in pins. :(
The recipe says 4 cups on mine as well…
On your what? On the pin in Pinterest? Pinterest pulls ingredient amounts from websites and often gets it wrong, unfortunately. :(
Just made it and it was quite delicious. Had to use three instead of four pieces of meat, and had to use chicken instead of pork but it tasted excellent overall. Next time I’m going to try dialing down the amount of hot spices added to it though, ended up being too hot for the other dinner guests.
Who would have thought brown sugar could bring so much flavour to meat?
Just made these. They were the best pork chops I’ve ever made. I love the mixture of sweet and spicy taste. This will be my go to recipe for pork chops from now on! Thank you!!
Can you use coconut oil instead of olive oil and chili powder instead of cayenne? Trying to avoid going to the store!
Coconut oil will probably work just fine since it has a high smoke point. Chili powder will give this a different flavor, but I think it will also be fantastic.
This is one of our favorite main dishes. My husband loves these!! Great for company too!!
Is the red pepper mandatory? I’m out of it currently and didn’t want to run to the grocery store.
Well, you can make it without, but it will be mild and with less flavor. :)
I didn’t use any of the spicy ingredients and the pork chops came out amazing.
Thank you so much for sharing. These were absolutely amazing and husband approved!!!
Got this recipe from a coworker. Made it twice already. Making it again tomorrow night for my husband dinner party. Shared with two friends, whom made it for their familes, and they all loved it.
Thank you for sharing
Does it matter if you use vegetable oil instead of olive oil?
You can definitely do that.
I made this pork chops for dinner tonight. They turned out great. They were very moist and juicy, and flavorful, perfect mix of sweet and a little spice. I served them with a side of green beans with shallots as well as applesauce. The coolness of the applesauce was a nice contrast to the spice in the pork chops. Definitely going into the recipe box!
But you forgot a few steps! You forgot to include the part where you have to hang the pig by its legs, slit its throat and cut it up into bits of pieces because you feel like eating meat is the only way to get your protein!
You need help. If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. Great recipe. Loved it
hahaha mmmmmmmm gutted pig, i devoured an innocent pig the last time i made it and i’m going to devour another tomorrow night!! lmao, stfu
You’re so right! We raise pigs along with chickens and fresh is totally the way to go. Cows are next on our list. Fresh beef. Yum!
RE: ANIA
Vegans are no less guilty than meat eaters. By being vegan, they support the clearing of land for crops which requires the innocent destruction and murder of thousands of wild animals that were simply just trying to live. Also, crop farmers continue to trap & kill any animals that endanger their crops. Mice, rabbits, gophers, moles, rats, deer, etc.
Also, burrowing animals that damage & destroy roots. Foxes, badgers, snakes, etc. At least meat eaters actually use the things they kill. There is no less shame or guilt being vegan. Let’s face it, God gave us the earth & resources to survive with. That’s exactly what we are doing so to each their own. I can’t wait to try this recipe tonight.
My boyfriend and I tried this tonight. Oh my. Delicious! Definitely a home run at our house.
Made this for my bf and his friend, they as well as myself were shocked how much flavor is packed with just the smallest amount of spices! Super flavorful and succelent. Thank you for this amazing dish add on!
The kids and I loved it. I put a lid on it at times. Didn’t have barely any fat for juice