Oven Baked Pork Chops

This is one of our favorite recipes for baked pork chops. First of all they are so easy to make, with a few simple ingredients, and only take a few minutes from start to finish. They are tender and juicy and will make a great dinner along with your favorite side dishes, veggies or salad.

I love making these oven-baked pork chops because they are easy to make yet delicious and when you put them on the table your family will think that it took you a long time to make them.

As long as you sear them they will have a nice flavorful, slightly crispy exterior. Then as long as you don’t overcook them in the oven they will be tender and juicy on your plate. 

If you love pork chops like we do, the options are endless and you will want to try some of our other recipes such as Air Fryer Pork Chops, Stuffed Pork Chops, Instant Pot Pork Chops, and Pan-Fried Pork Chops with Garlic Butter.

Why Bake Pork Chops in the Oven?

Baking your pork chops in the oven is such a simple way to do it, plus they come out tender and juicy and full of lots of flavor. By searing the chops before baking them, they form a brown crispy outside which traps in the juices on the inside.

Another reason we like them in the oven is they are so easy to make and cook really quick. From the refrigerator to the table in about 30 minutes. So easy that while they are cooking you can throw together a side dish, salad or vegetable. 

One thing that is really great is to slice the meat in thin slices, serve it on your favorite rolls, with our homemade coleslaw on top…sandwiches for everyone in the family.

What Ingredients are in Baked Pork Chops?

• Pork Chops – Boneless chops about 1-1.5 inches thick.
• Olive Oil – Extra Virgin type.
• Salt – Any kind will work, we usually use Sea Salt.
• Pepper – Black Pepper.
• Paprika – Regular type, not smokey.
• Oregano – A green leafy herb.
• Garlic Powder – Granulated garlic which will add a lot of flavor.
• Onion Powder – A good spice for flavoring food.

Should I Prepare a Marinade?

We do not use a marinade, so in my opinion it is not necessary for flavor or tenderness, but if you want to make a marinade it certainly will not hurt the pork chops and will add some additional flavor depending what you add to the mixture. 

If you marinate the pork chops you can add all of the spices to it that you would normally coat the meat with.

Anything that is a liquid can be used as a base to marinate, such as:

• Olive Oil
• Salad Dressing
• Butter (melted)

Then add whatever spices that you like the flavor of. I would suggest starting with the basic ones that we chose for this recipe, and feel free to add or subtract anything that you want to.

If you choose to marinate your pork chops before baking them in the oven, you should do so for at least an hour but I would not do it for as long as all day. It will coat your pork chops best if you put it in a ziploc bag along with your chops so that you can cover them better.

Bone-In vs. Boneless Pork Chops?

When you go to the store to buy pork chops there are 2 types of pork chops that you can buy, boneless or bone-in. In this recipe we used boneless chops, but either one is possible.

Pork Loin Boneless Chops:

• Can be thick or thin, but thick are best so that when you sear them they will not dry out.
• They are more expensive than bone-in chops because it takes time for the butcher to trim off the fat and bone.
• They are a leaner piece of meat.

Bone-In Pork Chops:

• Can be thick or thin but thick is better so that they do not dry out when searing them.
• Costs less than boneless because they require less work by the butcher.
• Any type of bone-in chops will be fine, center cut, rib chops or sirloin chops.

How Thick Should Pork Chops be for Baking?

The best thickness for your pork chops in the oven is about 1-1.5 inches thick.

If the pork chops are thin they will cook fully before you can even sear them on both sides, so that would not work.

Different Variations

What’s nice about this recipe is that once you season and sear your pork chops, when you get ready to bake them you can add the topping of your choice to give you a different variation. This way each time you make your baked pork chops it will seem like a whole new recipe, and it’s just as easy.

Here are a few ideas:

• Homemade BBQ Sauce
• Honey Garlic
• Tomato Sauce
• Garlic Mushroom
• Butter Parsley
• Basil Pesto
• Parmesan
• Lemon Zest
• Mustard
• Brown Sugar

Breading or No Breading?

I love breaded pork chops, there is no doubt about it. However, since I have been on a low carb diet I have learned to make them without bread crumbs, and in this recipe we are concentrating on making them with no breading.

As far as the taste and texture of both varieties are great, I love them both. It all boils down to whether or not you can eat carbs.

If you are not worried about eating carbs, feel free to use your favorite breadcrumbs as a coating for the pork chops.

If you love breaded pork chops and you can’t eat carbs like me, then you can use almond flour, ground pork rinds and grated parmesan cheese, all of which make good coating agents, as a replacement. It’s easy, just use them the same way as you would bread crumbs, either all together or separately.

Seasoning Options

We only used a few spices in our oven roasted pork chop recipe, but you can replace them with others or make some additions to the list. Here are some suggestions:

• Italian Seasoning
• Basil
• Thyme
• Chili Powder
• Poultry Seasoning
• Red Pepper

Should I Brine Pork Chops to Bake Them?

I have never brined my oven-baked pork chops before and I don’t feel that it is a necessary step in making them turn out good. 

Brining meat is done so that it will become more tender, but by cooking your pork chops properly and not overcooking them, they are pretty tender and juicy. Brining is useful when the meat is large like a roast turkey or corned beef.

How Long to Bake Pork Chops

In our recipe for oven-baked pork chops we have chosen to bake them at 400 degrees, which usually is the best. Here are a couple of ideas of how long to bake them.

The first step is to sear the chops, about 3 minutes on each side. Then bake them. Here is a chart that may help you in baking them.

At 400 degrees:

• 1” thick boneless chops: 6-8 minutes
• 1.5” thick boneless chops: 8-10 minutes
• 1” thick bone-in chops 8-10 minutes
• 1.5” thick bone-in chops 10-12 minutes

At 375 degrees:

• 1” thick boneless chops: 8-10 minutes
• 1.5” thick boneless chops: 10-12 minutes
• 1” thick bone-in chops: 10-12 minutes
• 1.5” thick bone-in chops: 12-14 minutes

As always please use the thermometer to test the doneness of your pork chops so that you do not overcook them. Once they are cooked there is no going back to undo dry pork chops. 

Some oven thermostats run cooler or hotter than others, especially if they are old in age, so that’s why it’s always best to rely on the help from a thermometer.

Can You Bake Frozen Pork Chops?

It is harder to cook frozen meat than it is to cook meat that is not frozen. It can be done but it is harder to know exactly how long to cook them for. It is also harder to sear them before baking them.

If you forget to take your chops out of the freezer but they are partially frozen it will be a little easier to cook then if they come directly out of the freezer into the oven. 

Maybe waiting another day and thawing them out properly to make them would be the best thing to do, but if you insist on making them that day you will have to cook them longer in the oven and really rely on the use of your thermometer. 

Remember that 145 degrees is the desired temperature to take them out of the oven so check them thoroughly.

Internal Temperature

The best temperature to cook your pork chops to is 145 degrees. When they come out of the oven and sit resting for a few minutes the temperature will rise to around 155 degrees.

Can Pork Chops Be Pink?

It’s ok to take your pork chops out of the oven when they are pink. The last thing you want to do is cook them to death.

When they are pink, but not red the meat is perfect. It is kind of like cooking beef medium rare which is also pink.

How to Make Baked Pork Chops in the Oven 

It is very easy to make pork chops in the oven. Let’s look at the step by step instructions about how to make them. 

STEP 1: The first thing you need to do is to dry the pork chops off with a paper towel so that your spices will stick to them better.

Make sure to pat them dry on both sides.

STEP 2: Now take all of your spices and mix them together in a small bowl.

Rub the spice blend on all sides of the pork chops until they are completely covered.

STEP 3: Pour the oil in your pan and put your burner on medium-medium high heat.

Now place the pork chops in the pan and sear on both sides, just until they are seared but not too dark and crispy because we want the chops to remain moist and juicy.

It should take about 3 minutes on each side. If you use a cast iron pan or a dutch oven then you can just bake the pork chops in the oven in the same pan. If not, then you will have to move them into a baking dish or tray.

STEP 4: Bake them in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for about 10  minutes.

Test them to see if they are done with a meat thermometer which should read 145 degrees before taking them out of the oven.

STEP 5: Once the pork chops are cooked, remove them from the pan and let them cool/rest for 10-15 minutes.

Serve them on a plate with your favorite vegetables or side dish and you are done. Enjoy!

How to Know When Your Pork Chops are Done?

The best way to know when your pork chops are done cooking is to use a meat thermometer. That way you will not over or under cook them. 

The first time we made this pork chop recipe I had intended to cook them in the oven longer but when I used my thermometer after 10 minutes they were ready to take out of the oven so make sure to check.

If Using a Breading on Pork Chops

Normally for this recipe we do not bread the pork chops but it certainly is a good option if you prefer them that way. Here are a few quick instructions to help you do so on a low carb diet.

1. In a bowl, beat an egg or two , depending on how many pork chops you are making.
2. Dip your seasoned pork chops in the egg.
3. Next dip them into whichever ingredients that you choose for your coating. For non-low carb diets you can use breadcrumbs. For a low carb diet choose between ground pork rinds, grated parmesan cheese or almond flour. You can even blend all 3 of these together for a real tasty treat or just one of them will be good too.
4. Then proceed with the same instructions in the previous section for searing and baking your pork chops.

FAQs and Best Tips

We will answer some of the questions that may be running through your mind currently about the oven-baked pork chop recipe and also share some tips that we have learned along the way.

• The pork chops should come out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes ahead of time. They will cook better if they are not freezing cold.
• Thick pork chops come out moister than thin ones.
• When you make your spice bowl, my suggestion is to make a bigger batch and then store it in a glass jar so they are at your quick access for other recipes.
• Do not cut corners by skipping the step of searing because it gives your baked pork chops a nicer flavor.
• If you have a black cast iron pan you can use it to sear and bake the meat. One pan to do it all.
• A cast iron dutch oven is also a good pan to use, of course without the lid.
• Be sure to pat the pork chops dry before seasoning them so that the spices will adhere better.

Let Pork Chops Rest

Resting is always an important step in making pork chops, or any other meat for that matter. This is one secret I have learned over the years, and though it requires some patience, it’s well worth the wait.

Resting the meat after it is cooked is vital in order for the pork chops to come out tender and juicy. 

When you don’t allow the meat to rest, by cutting it too soon, all of the juices run out onto the cutting board instead of being absorbed into the meat.

Do You Have to Brown Pork Chops Before Baking

Searing the pork chops first will also allow the juices to stay inside the meat, the searing process makes the meat crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, plus it gives them a better flavor. 

They also look nicer, having a darker appearance on the outside instead of just a blah coloring without searing them first. So while it’s not absolutely necessary, we highly recommend it.

Why Do My Pork Chops Come Out Tough?

The reason that some people say that they don’t like pork too much is that they overcook it and it becomes dried out. 

That is the way that my mother’s generation cooked pork because they were afraid of getting some kind of disease by eating undercooked pork. Now we realize that it’s ok to eat pink pork, not red but pink. 

If your pork chops are too thin they are easy to overcook and be dry and tough, so get some chops that are thick enough.

Should You Flip Pork Chops in the Oven?

By searing the pork chops on both sides on the stove, they will not need to be flipped when you bake them in the oven. Plus they only take about 10-15 minutes to bake so there is no need to turn them.

How to Keep Pork Chops from Sticking to the Pan?

To keep pork chops from sticking to the pan when searing, use a small amount of olive oil, 1-2 tablespoons, and then bake them in the same pan. That way they will not stick to the pan in the oven.

You can also use avocado oil to fry them which is sometimes preferable since it doesn’t smoke as much as other oils.

Can You Cook Pork Chops in the Oven Without Foil?

When you are making baked pork chops in the oven it is best not to cover them with a piece of aluminum foil. The foil will only trap in the moisture and undo the nice searing that you have on your pork chops. 

Save that technique for pork recipes that are cooked in a gravy or liquids, which will trap in the moisture but not here.

Should Baked Pork Chops Be Covered or Uncovered?

In general, baked pork chops should not be covered at all.  

Once you go through the effort of searing your pork chops, do not cover them during the baking process or your breading or crispy coating will get soggy. All your initial steps you took to make them crispy will have been for nothing.

Why Does the Breading Fall Off My Pork Chops?

We all love a nice breaded pork chop, in fact it is one of my family’s most requested things that I have made for years. So the last thing you want to happen when you go through the time to bread them is for the coating to fall off. So let me give you some tips to avoid this result.

• Pat them dry with a paper towel before attempting to coat them.
• An undercoating of egg helps to hold on your outer coating.
• Using a bit of flour or almond flour, for low carb, added to the egg will also aid the breading to stay on your chops.
• The breading tends to stay on boneless pork chops better than with a bone, but that works too if you coat it well enough.
• Once coated, allow to stick for a few minutes before frying.
• Fry them in a well oiled, non-stick frying pan.
• Using tongs to flip the chops may cause the breading to fall off so use a fork.
• Limit the amount of times you flip them.

What to Serve with Oven-Baked Pork Chops?

There are so many things that you can eat with oven-baked pork chops and here are a few suggestions, some of which are on our website for a perfect low carb meal:

• Roasted Brussel Sprouts
• Roasted Broccoli
• Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
• Baked Sweet Potatoes
• Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes or regular Mashed Potatoes
• Green Salad
• Coleslaw
• Fried Cabbage with Bacon
• Creamed Spinach

Make Ahead & Storing Options

If you want to get a head start on making your baked pork chops recipe, you can make up your bowl of spices and season them and stick them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them, either the same day or even the next day is fine too. 

MEAL PREP: If you are looking to prepare meals for the week so that your dinner is ready when you come home from a busy day at work, that is fine too. This is one of those recipes that will taste good no matter when you eat it, because it will retain its flavor and juiciness no matter what day you eat it.

STORING: Once the oven-baked pork chops are done and you have eaten them for dinner, the leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight plastic container for up to 5 days.

How to Reheat

The next day when it comes time to eat the leftover baked pork chops, you can heat them in the oven or toaster oven at 350 degrees for about 5-10  minutes. 

Or you can do it the quick way of heating things in the microwave. If the meat is sliced then it will only take a minute. If it’s whole then 2 minutes will probably do the trick.

Just be sure to cover the plate with a paper towel to trap in the heat and avoid splattering and messing up the microwave.

Can You Freeze Baked Pork Chops?

Your oven pork chops will freeze well if you wrap them properly. I like to freeze them in an airtight plastic container and then in a ziploc bag which works the best.

You can even do the reverse by putting the meat in a ziploc bag and then the plastic airtight container, either way will work. 

When properly wrapped the pork chops will stay fresh for about 3 months.

Tools to Use

Here are some tool you will need to make baked pork chops:

• Small bowl – For blending spices together.
• Cast Iron Pan– For searing and also baking the pork chops. We like to use the cast iron because it gives the meat a better sear. Plus you can fry and bake the pork chops all in the same pan. By doing this you don’t lose any of the good pan drippings and it makes for an easier clean up only using one pan instead of two.
• Cutting Board – A nice sturdy cutting board is essential for cutting your pork chops. You can use either wood or plastic, it’s your choice.
• Sharp Knife – For slicing your meat. We have found that a knife without teeth is the best so that the teeth on a knife do not tear the meat.

Diets This Recipe is Good For

• Keto/Low Carb – A perfect Keto/low carb match.
• Sugar-Free – Sugar is not an ingredient making baked pork chops in the oven.
• Paleo – Add this to the list for your paleo diet.
• Dairy-Free – There is no dairy in this recipe.
• Nut-Free – There is no need for any nuts in this baked pork chop recipe.
• Gluten-Free – Gluten is not an ingredient in baked pork chops.

Are Pork Chops Healthy for You?

Pork chops are very healthy for you and you should put them on the list of foods to eat for dinner. Here are a few important facts about them:

• Pork chops are high in calcium, phosphorus, zinc, and selenium which can help your immune system. It also helps your skin and muscles.
• If your pork chops are boneless they are usually very lean, low in carbs, fat and calories and high in protein like most meats.

Like anything else, moderation is the key which means that you probably shouldn’t be eating pork chops every day. Just change it up and eat a well-rounded diet because there are so many foods out there that also have many health benefits that pork chops don’t have.

Other Delicious Pork Recipes

• Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Juicy Pork Shoulder
• Pork Butt
• Stuffed Pork Chops
• Crispy Pork Belly
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Baked Pork Tenderloin 
• Pan Fried Garlic Pork Chops

All of them are easy-to-make dinners and will have your friends raving!

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