Easy Garlic Thyme Pork Chops

Tender skillet pork chops are seared until golden, then basted with butter, garlic, and thyme for a fast, flavorful dinner. Finish with lemon for a fresh note.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

Pork Chops

4 pork chops Boneless or bone-in pork chops, about 6 ounces each and ¾–1 inch thick

Seasoning

1 teaspoon Kosher salt
½ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon Dried thyme, if using instead of fresh

For Cooking

1 tablespoon Olive oil
2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
3 cloves Garlic, minced

Optional Finish

½ lemon Lemon

Method

Step-by-Step

Pat the pork chops dry, then season both sides evenly with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and fresh thyme leaves or dried thyme.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned pork chops and sear for about 3–4 minutes per side, adjusting slightly for thickness.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter and minced garlic. Spoon the melted garlic butter over the chops for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully so the garlic does not burn.
Continue cooking until the thickest part of each pork chop reaches 145°F (63°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Check the center of the thickest chop rather than relying only on the clock.
Transfer the pork chops to a plate and let them rest for 3–5 minutes. This gives the juices time to settle back into the meat.
Squeeze lemon over the rested pork chops if desired, spoon any remaining garlic butter from the skillet over the top, and serve immediately.

Notes

Bone-in chops generally stay juicier, while boneless chops cook faster and can overcook more easily. Add garlic after searing and reducing the heat to help prevent burning. Use an instant-read thermometer and cook to 145°F (63°C). Optional seasoning time is 15–30 minutes; total active preparation and cooking time is about 25 minutes, excluding optional resting time.