Description

Indulge in this Irresistible Creamy Garlic Pork Chops recipe, where tender, perfectly seared pork chops are bathed in a luscious, garlicky cream sauce. This one-pan dish combines smoky paprika seasoning with a rich Parmesan cream sauce infused with fresh garlic and Italian herbs, making it a comforting and flavorful meal ready in under 40 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pork Chops:

4 pork chops (about 1-inch thick for even cooking)
1.5 tsp garlic powder
1.5 tsp smoked paprika (e.g., McCormick)
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
1.5 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Cream Sauce:

2.5 tbsp unsalted butter (preferably Kerrygold)
10 garlic cloves, smashed and finely minced
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Season and Pat Dry: Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels to ensure a proper sear without steaming. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Rub this mixture generously on both sides of each pork chop.
Sear the Pork Chops: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add pork chops carefully and sear without moving for 3–4 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust and reach an internal temperature of 145°F. Remove chops and set aside on a clean plate.
Prepare Garlic Cream Sauce Base: Lower heat to medium in the same skillet (do not clean it) and add butter. Once melted and foaming, add minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant but not browned.
Add Broth and Italian Seasoning: Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle Italian seasoning while scraping browned bits off the pan bottom with a wooden spoon. Let it simmer for 3–4 minutes to meld flavors and reduce slightly.
Incorporate Cream and Parmesan: Reduce heat to medium-low, slowly pour in cream while stirring gently. Add Parmesan cheese in small portions, stirring constantly to avoid clumps and achieve a silky smooth sauce. Continue stirring for about 3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
Return Pork Chops to Skillet: Nestle the seared pork chops back into the sauce, tilting each to coat both sides. Spoon extra sauce on top. Warm together for 1–2 minutes over low heat to reheat pork and thoroughly coat in sauce.
Finish and Serve: Taste the sauce and season with extra salt or pepper if needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh, colorful finish before serving.

Notes

Patting pork chops dry is essential for a good sear and crust development.
Use freshly grated Parmesan to ensure the cheese melts smoothly into the sauce.
Maintain medium-low heat when adding cream to prevent breaking the sauce.
The sauce will thicken as it simmers; do not rush the process for best texture.
Adjust seasoning at the end after tasting the combined sauce and pork.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: creamy garlic pork chops, one-pan pork chops, garlic cream sauce, easy pork chop recipe, stovetop pork chops, weeknight dinner, creamy Parmesan sauce