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Creamy Pork Chops with Savory Mushroom Sauce

creamy pork chops - featured image

A comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender pork chops seared to perfection and smothered in a rich, creamy mushroom sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners and family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick, around 1 lb / 450 g total)
  • Salt and black pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter (or a mix of both) for searing
  • 8 oz (225 g) cremini or white button mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter option)
  • ¼ cup (25 g) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
  2. Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Let the butter melt and foam without browning.
  3. Add the pork chops carefully to the hot pan. Sear for about 4 minutes per side until golden brown and a rich brown crust forms. Remove chops and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add another tablespoon of butter if needed. Add sliced mushrooms and sauté for 5-6 minutes until they release moisture and caramelize.
  5. Stir in chopped shallots and minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Let broth reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently until sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and thyme.
  8. Return pork chops to the skillet, spoon sauce over them. Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  9. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top before serving. Optionally, add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the sauce.

Notes

For gluten-free, ensure chicken broth is gluten-free and skip any thickening agents. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. If sauce thickens too much, add more broth or cream to loosen. For thicker pork chops, finish cooking in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes after searing.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork chops, creamy mushroom sauce, easy dinner, comfort food, savory pork, weeknight meal