I love pork chops. In fact, I think I like pork more than chicken. Pork is incredibly versatile and goes well with a wide array of different flavor profiles. It also can be cooked with a wide variety of different techniques. I don’t think anyone can have *too many* pork chop recipes in their arsenal, and so go ahead and toss this one in the mix! These quick and easy 20 minute cinnamon apple pork chops are delicious and are sure to please even the pickiest of palates.
This has been my go to pork dish for years now. I’ve tried it out with numerous other fruits (fresh plums is my second favorite!), but you really can not go wrong with pork and apples. A match made in flavor heaven. I honed this recipe down while in grad school living in a house with a small kitchen and a couple roommates. Cooking was how I would decompress, yet I didn’t really have the space or time (or money) to get too crazy. And so, I perfected my pork chops with apples. It’s inexpensive, doesn’t’ require anything bizarre, and it tastes amazing.
I’ll include a few substitution options here though. I already mentioned using other fruits, and this really is adaptable for other fruits. However, it’s a good idea to adjust the sugar to match the profile of lighter, less hearty fruits (i.e. peaches).
Also, if you don’t have wine on hand, or you just never have a 1/4 cup laying around, you can use water instead. Just be sure to taste the glaze as it cooks and add a sprinkle of extra sugar if needed. The flavors won’t be quite as complex, but it works and it’s still yummy.
ALSO, if you have boneless pork chops instead, this recipe still works! However they do cook more quickly than those with the bone in. So, it is likely better to cook them all the way through at the beginning, while searing on both sides, and serve them with the apple glaze spooned over the top.
Let me know what you think of this ridiculously easy pork chop dish. How do you like to cook your chops?
20 Minute Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 2 Bone-in Pork Chops
- Salt and pepper
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. Butter
- 1 Firm apple, sliced thinly
- 1/4 Cup Brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
- 3/4 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. Ground cloves
- 1/4 Cup Dry white wine (pinot gris, etc.)
Instructions
- Season both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat. Place chops in skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Set pork chops on plate and cover with foil.
- Lower heat to medium and add the butter and apple slices to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes scraping the drippings off the bottom of the skillet.
- Add the sugar and spices and cook for one more minute stirring frequently. Add the wine and let simmer for about 4 minutes, then add the pork chops to the pan and let simmer uncovered until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 2-4 minutes. Serve hot.
