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Baked Center Cut Pork Chop Recipe

Baked Center Cut Pork Chop Recipe - Easy Meals To Cook

Let’s face it, making a juicy pork chop can feel somewhat daunting, especially if you’re trying to avoid the dreaded dry texture. But fear not! Baked center cut pork chops are here to save the day.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 240
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • To whip up these delightful baked pork chops, gather the following ingredients:
  • 2 - tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 4 - boneless pork chops
  • 1 - tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 - teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 - teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 - teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 - teaspoon salt
  • 1 - teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1 teaspoon mustard powder (adds a slight tang to flavor)

Method
 

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
  1. Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures that the chops cook uniformly and helps in achieving that beautiful crust. While it’s warming up, take a moment to measure the thickness of your pork chops—this will guide you on the cooking time.
Step 2: Prepare the Spice Mix
  1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and optional mustard powder. Mixing these spices together allows their flavors to marry before they hit the chops.
Step 3: Season the Pork Chops
  1. Take your chosen pork chops and drizzle one tablespoon of olive oil over each side. This not only helps the spices adhere but adds moisture during the cooking process. Next, sprinkle the spice blend evenly over both sides of the pork chops, ensuring all surfaces are covered. Finally, place the seasoned chops in a baking dish and drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
Step 4: Bake the Chops
  1. Now it’s time to pop those bad boys in the oven! Bake the pork chops uncovered for about 7 minutes for every half-inch of thickness. If your pork chops are 1 ½ inches thick, that’s roughly 21 minutes. Want to confirm they’re ready? Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit; this means they’re perfectly cooked.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
  1. Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chops rest in the pan for about 5 minutes before serving. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, making each bite more succulent. Once they’re ready, plate those chops and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
  2. And don’t forget: Snap a pic after you make this recipe! I love sharing in the joy of cooking with you all.

Notes

- Choose Quality Meat: Look for pork chops with good marbling. This helps to keep the meat juicy.
- Let Them Rest: Always let your pork chops rest for a few minutes after baking. This is key to keeping them juicy.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: This is your best friend when cooking and ensures your meat is cooked perfectly.
- Experiment with Seasonings: Don’t hesitate to swap out or add spices to cater to your palate—cumin and coriander can work great, too!
- Pair with a Sauce: If desired, add a quick pan sauce after removing the chops from the baking dish using any leftover drippings.