The star of the skillet, these Creamy Garlic Pork Chops are your solution for a luxurious yet fuss free dinner. Thick, juicy chops are pan-seared and simmered in a luscious garlic cream sauce that’s made with both whole cloves and garlic powder for layers of mellow, aromatic flavor.
In just 30 minutes, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy dish that delivers on flavor without complicating your evening. Serve with mashed potatoes, steamed greens, or crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that velvety sauce. This is comfort food at its garlicky finest.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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4 boneless pork chops (¾ to 1 inch thick)
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Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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2 tablespoons butter, divided
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1 whole head of garlic, cloves peeled
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1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
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½ cup chicken broth
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½ teaspoon lemon juice
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¼ teaspoon garlic powder
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¾ cup heavy cream
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Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Directions:
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Remove pork chops from the fridge 15-30 minutes before cooking. Pat dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
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Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the pork chops for 3–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
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Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until garlic is lightly browned.
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Push garlic to one side of the pan. Sprinkle in flour and stir into the butter to make a quick roux. Cook for 30 seconds.
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Stir in the chicken broth and lemon juice. Let simmer for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Add the garlic powder and heavy cream. Stir well to incorporate everything into a smooth, creamy sauce.
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Return pork chops to the skillet. Simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and pork is fully cooked (internal temperature 145°F).
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Season with more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 410 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Ultimate Comfort Dish: Creamy Garlic Pork Chops
In the world of comfort food, few dishes strike the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity like creamy garlic pork chops. This recipe is a shining example of how pantry staples can be transformed into a luxurious and satisfying meal, without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re looking to impress dinner guests or simply treat yourself to something warm and rich after a long day, creamy garlic pork chops deliver both flavor and comfort in one skillet.
This dish builds on a timeless pairing tender pork and aromatic garlic then elevates it with a velvety cream sauce that’s both elegant and rustic. It’s a recipe that feels special but requires no special techniques, making it ideal for both novice cooks and seasoned kitchen pros.
A Love Letter to Garlic
At the heart of this recipe is garlic lots of it. Using both whole cloves and garlic powder brings complexity and depth to the sauce. The garlic cloves are gently cooked until golden, mellowing their sharp bite and transforming them into soft, buttery nuggets of flavor. This dual garlic treatment is what sets this dish apart from more simplistic approaches. The result is a sauce that’s savory, rich, and layered, with garlic tones that are more roasted and earthy than sharp or pungent.
Using whole garlic cloves may seem intimidating to some, but their flavor softens beautifully during the cooking process. They’re not overpowering in fact, their sweetness and nuttiness after sautéing make them downright addictive. Garlic powder complements this by adding an evenly distributed undercurrent of flavor throughout the sauce.
Why Pork Chops?
Pork chops are often underappreciated in home kitchens. While they can be dry or bland when overcooked or under-seasoned, in the right hands (and skillet), they become the perfect vehicle for rich and creamy sauces. Pork has a slightly sweet, meaty flavor that pairs beautifully with the richness of cream and the aromatic punch of garlic.
In this recipe, boneless pork chops are typically used for convenience and quick cooking. However, it’s equally adaptable to bone-in chops, which offer more flavor and tend to retain moisture better. The key is to cook them to just the right internal temperature 145°F and let them rest, which ensures juicy results every time.
Culinary Techniques that Elevate the Dish
What makes this recipe foolproof is the smart layering of flavors and textures using straightforward cooking techniques. It begins with a hot skillet and a good sear, creating a golden-brown crust on the pork chops. This Maillard reaction not just for looks brings an umami depth that forms the base of the flavor.
Then comes the roux: a simple mixture of fat and flour that acts as a thickener for the sauce. While many sauces rely on heavy cream alone for body, the addition of a roux gives this sauce a silky consistency that coats the pork and clings to every bite.
Deglazing the pan with chicken broth and lemon juice helps lift all those flavorful bits left behind from searing the meat. The acidity of the lemon juice subtly cuts through the richness of the cream, balancing the flavors and preventing the sauce from feeling too heavy.
The final step simmering everything together melds the flavors while ensuring the pork finishes cooking in a moist environment, keeping it tender and juicy.
Flavor Profile & Aroma
Creamy garlic pork chops are deeply savory and satisfyingly rich. The seared pork brings in caramelized, meaty notes, while the cream adds luscious body to the dish. The garlic, present in both mellowed and powdered form, lends warmth and complexity. A hint of acidity from lemon juice brightens the flavor and cuts through the richness, while the chicken broth brings a subtle umami boost that ties it all together.
A touch of freshly chopped parsley at the end adds freshness and color, enhancing the overall presentation and adding a mild herbal note to balance the creamy texture.
What to Serve with Creamy Garlic Pork Chops
The richness of the sauce makes this a dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. To soak up all that delicious creamy garlic sauce, you’ll want something with a starchy base. Here are a few popular pairing options:
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Mashed Potatoes: Classic and crowd-pleasing. Creamy potatoes mirror the texture of the sauce while adding a mild backdrop.
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Buttered Noodles or Pasta: Wide egg noodles or fettuccine work particularly well, catching the sauce in their folds.
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Rice or Wild Rice: These grains provide a slightly nutty counterpoint to the richness of the cream.
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Crusty Bread: Ideal for mopping up every drop of sauce.
For a balanced plate, you can add a green element like steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or sautéed spinach. The freshness and slight bitterness of greens create a pleasing contrast to the savory pork and creamy sauce.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the joys of this recipe is its flexibility. Here are a few ways to personalize it based on your tastes or pantry contents:
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Swap the Protein: This sauce works beautifully with chicken thighs, turkey cutlets, or even tofu for a vegetarian version.
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Add Veggies: Mushrooms, spinach, or kale can be added directly to the skillet during the sauce-making step for extra texture and nutrition.
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Spice it Up: A pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a touch of Dijon mustard can give the sauce an extra kick.
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Herbaceous Twists: Fresh thyme, rosemary, or tarragon can add dimension and aromatic flair.
Storage and Leftovers
Creamy garlic pork chops store well in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Keep them in an airtight container and reheat gently over low heat to prevent the pork from drying out and the sauce from separating. Because the cream sauce doesn’t always freeze well, freezing is not recommended for this dish.
A Weeknight Winner or a Special Occasion Star
What makes this dish truly shine is its versatility. It’s easy enough for a Tuesday night dinner, yet luxurious enough to serve guests on a Saturday evening. The sauce feels indulgent, the pork is hearty and filling, and the whole meal can come together in under 30 minutes.
It’s the kind of recipe that reminds you how satisfying home cooked food can be. With just one skillet and a handful of ingredients, you can create a dish that feels like it came from a bistro but without the price tag or reservation.
Conclusion:
Creamy garlic pork chops are a triumph of balance between rich and light, rustic and refined, bold and comforting. This dish proves that you don’t need exotic ingredients or complicated steps to make something crave-worthy. The combination of tender pork and velvety garlic-infused sauce is one that appeals to a wide range of palates, from picky eaters to die-hard foodies.
Whether you’re trying to jazz up your weeknight meal routine or impress your guests with something comforting yet classy, this recipe deserves a spot in your regular dinner rotation. It’s an homage to garlic, a celebration of cream, and a testament to how simple food can still be extraordinary.