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!
I have all the spices, except paprika. Is it really necessary, or can I use something else other than that?
I’d wait until you had paprika. Mild chili powder might be an interesting substitute. The flavor would be different, but I bet it would still be good.
I read a lot of recipe/food blogs but I never feel compelled to leave a comment. Most recipes are just eh. This recipe is AMAZING. I have made it at least 5 times in the last 2-3 months. It is a staple in my household now. Bless you.
Second time….. Love these pork chops! I did not put back in OVEN only because it’s hot summer time right now!! I kept them in the hot skillet and added about a cup of water put the lid on and turned the heat on med to high for 10 minutes this helps them to be tender. Thanks for the recipe
These were delicious! My chops were really thin, so didn’t have to do the oven step. Thank you for posting the recipe!
Loved it! Pork was nice and tender!
Unexpected zing! Loved it I made it tonight
Hi, Beth –
I was looking for a way to put some particularly nice pork chops to good use and happened upon BudgetBytes and your Glazed Pork Chops recipe. It was everything I look for in a dinner recipe: it came together fast using ingredients I already had on hand, the finished dish looked impressive and tasted wonderful, and it received an enthusiastic review from most everyone at the table.
This fine outcome prompted me to sign up for your email list, and I look forward to trying more of your BudgetBytes recipes in the weeks and months to come.
Thank you for all of the time and effort you put into making this Web site a small gem of culinary goodness for all who happen upon it. Be well and be wonderful.
Thank you so much for this recipe!! I am not a meat eater and have never in my life cooked pork chops. This recipe was my first attempt per request. I’ve had a hard time living up to his mom’s cooking (she’s amazing) but he told me that these were the best chops he’s ever had.
I doubled the recipe as I had 9 chops and was still a little short in the rub but now I know I’ll just need a little more of all. Thanks again!
I marinated the pork, with one orange squeezed and half a lemon, for about and hour or so in the fridge. That and this rub made it so good. It also kept the chops juicy.
It didn’t really brown as much on the surface but I was still able to get a glaze.
I did begin to cook this at a very low heat on my stove top and once it had cooked through, I upped the heat and the liquid in the pan began to thicken into glaze. I didn’t have to transfer to the oven. Making it this way kept it super juicy.
Will definitely make it again with the marinade.
Amazing!! Perfect sweet/spicy combination. Turned out so juicy and perfectly cooked (I did the skillet them oven for 8 minutes and then back on the skillet for 2 minutes) the only thing I will change next time is adding a little more of the brown sugar mix for extra glaze.
The chops really rocked my dinner …wow the whole evening was spicy
I had 6 chops so I doubled the rub. I think next time I’ll add a bit more os the paprika, garlic and salt. My husband said this was a winner and that I should fix it again.
These were fantastic.
My daughter & I cooked tonight & I asked her to cook the glazed pork chops. She did wonderfully. The pork chops turned out just right. I’m positive her father will enjoy his meal tonight immensely.
Delicious recipe. Easy to prepare.
My husband and son loved this recipe! Thank you so much! You can’take beat the price either.
I meant to write “beat the price”