This easy Instant Pot pork chops recipe delivers tender, juicy pork with a savory homemade gravy in about 35 to 40 minutes. The chops are seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, quickly seared, pressure-cooked in chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, then finished with a simple cornstarch slurry.
Each bite brings browned, savory edges and a rich, comforting sauce that makes an ordinary weeknight dinner feel special. Use boneless or bone-in pork chops about 1 inch thick, and serve them with mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Jump to RecipeWhy You’ll Love This Recipe
These Instant Pot pork chops are made for busy evenings when you want a satisfying dinner without a long list of ingredients. The pressure cooker keeps the cooking process contained, while the initial sear creates the deep, savory flavor that pork needs.
The finished gravy is smooth, glossy, and wonderfully spoonable. It is made directly in the cooking pot, so every browned bit from the pork becomes part of the sauce instead of being left behind.
This recipe works with either boneless or bone-in chops. For another easy way to prepare this cut, you can also try these crispy Air Fryer pork chops when you want a different texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The seasoning blend is simple but carefully balanced. Paprika adds warm color and mild sweetness, garlic powder and onion powder provide savory depth, while kosher salt and black pepper bring the flavors into focus.
- Four boneless or bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
- Kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder
- Olive oil for searing
- Low-sodium chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce for the cooking liquid
- Cornstarch and cold water for thickening the gravy
- Fresh chopped parsley, optional, for a bright finishing touch
Low-sodium broth gives you more control over the final seasoning. If your pork chops are already seasoned or enhanced, taste the gravy before adding extra salt.
How to Make It Step-by-Step
Step 1: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels before seasoning. Removing surface moisture helps the meat brown in the Instant Pot instead of steaming, and it allows the spice mixture to cling evenly.
Step 2: Mix the kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small bowl. Rub the mixture over both sides of all four pork chops, making sure the edges receive some seasoning too.
Step 3: Select Sauté on the Instant Pot and add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, sear the pork chops for about 2 minutes per side, working in batches so the pieces have room to brown.
Step 4: Transfer the seared pork chops to a plate and pour the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce into the pot. Scrape the bottom thoroughly with a wooden spoon until the browned bits are loosened, because stuck bits can trigger the Instant Pot Burn message.
Step 5: Return the pork chops and any juices from the plate to the pot. Lock the lid, set the valve to sealing, and cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes for approximately 1-inch chops; use 10 minutes for thicker chops or bone-in chops.
Step 6: When the pressure cooking ends, allow a natural release for 10 minutes. Carefully release any remaining pressure, open the lid, and check the thickest part of the pork with a meat thermometer; it must reach at least 145°F.
Step 7: Remove the pork chops and let them rest for 3 minutes. Resting gives the juices a moment to settle while you turn the flavorful liquid in the pot into gravy.
Step 8: Select Sauté again. Stir the cornstarch and cold water together until smooth, pour the slurry into the cooking liquid, and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring often, until the gravy thickens.
Step 9: Spoon the hot gravy over the rested pork chops and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve right away with a side that can catch every drop of sauce.
How to Get Tender, Juicy Pork Chops
Start with chops that are close to 1 inch thick so they cook at a similar rate. Patting them dry and searing in batches are small steps that make a noticeable difference in flavor and surface texture.
Do not skip the thermometer check. Pork is ready when the thickest area reaches at least 145°F, and very thin chops may need only 5 to 6 minutes of pressure cooking rather than the full time used for thicker pieces.
Bone-in chops or especially thick chops can use the 10-minute pressure-cooking option from the recipe notes. Avoid adding extra pressure-cooking time simply for convenience, since pork chops can become dry when overcooked.
If you enjoy sweet and savory pork, our recipe for honey garlic glazed chops is another delicious dinner idea.
Making the Gravy and Choosing Sides
The broth and Worcestershire sauce create a lightly seasoned pan sauce with a pleasantly savory taste. Cornstarch mixed with cold water forms a smooth slurry, which thickens the liquid quickly without lumps.
For the best texture, simmer the gravy for only 1 to 2 minutes after adding the slurry. If it becomes thicker than you prefer, stir in a small splash of broth before spooning it over the pork.
- Serve with mashed potatoes for a classic gravy dinner.
- Pair with white rice or egg noodles to soak up the sauce.
- Add steamed green beans, broccoli, or roasted vegetables for color and crunch.
- Offer a crisp green salad to balance the warm, savory pork.
For a more dinner-party-style pork dish, compare this recipe with tender pork chops with bourbon cherry sauce.
Storage, Reheating, and Helpful Notes
Store cooled pork chops and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best quality, enjoy leftovers within a few days and keep the meat covered with gravy to help it stay moist.
Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat or in the microwave in short intervals. Add a spoonful of broth if the gravy has thickened too much, and stop heating as soon as the pork is warmed through.
The recipe serves four and is easy to scale for a family dinner, provided your Instant Pot is not filled beyond its safe capacity. For another cozy pressure-cooker meal, see this hearty Instant Pot beef stew.
What to Serve for Dessert or Snacks
This pork chop dinner is filling enough to stand on its own, but a small starter can make the meal feel more complete. Keep the first course easy so the main dish remains the star.
A warm dip is especially useful for casual gatherings or game-night dinners. Try this easy cheeseburger dip with crisp vegetables, crackers, or toasted bread before serving the pork.
Easy Instant Pot Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the pork chops dry. Combine the kosher salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, then season both sides of every chop.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add the olive oil. Sear the pork chops in batches for about 2 minutes per side, then transfer them to a plate.
- Pour the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce into the pot. Scrape the bottom thoroughly to loosen all browned bits and help prevent a Burn warning.
- Return the pork chops to the Instant Pot. Lock the lid, select High Pressure, and cook for 8 minutes for approximately 1-inch chops, or 10 minutes for thicker or bone-in chops.
- Allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then carefully release any remaining pressure. Check the thickest part of the pork with a thermometer and confirm it reaches at least 145°F.
- Remove the pork chops and let them rest for 3 minutes. Select Sauté, whisk the cornstarch with the cold water, stir the slurry into the pot liquid, and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until thickened.
- Spoon the gravy over the rested pork chops and sprinkle with the optional chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while the sauce is hot.
Notes
Final Thoughts
This easy Instant Pot pork chops recipe turns a handful of everyday ingredients into a comforting dinner with tender pork and rich gravy. Searing adds valuable flavor, deglazing protects the pot from a Burn warning, and a thermometer helps you avoid dry meat.
With a preparation time of about 10 minutes, 8 to 10 minutes of High Pressure cooking, and a 10-minute natural release, it fits comfortably into a weeknight schedule. Add parsley, choose a favorite gravy-friendly side, and bring the pork chops to the table while everything is hot.