Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout
Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops are the best way to elevate a simple weeknight dinner. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy pork chops every time. The golden, crispy exterior gives way to tender, juicy pork, while the tangy lemon garlic sauce is irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spiced Peach Bread and Honey Mustard BLT Chicken Sliders.
Why This Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy exterior with tender, juicy pork inside
- Tangy, rich lemon garlic sauce that's better than takeout
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Ready in just 20 minutes
What You'll Need for Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 lemon
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Lemon wedges
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Pork chops: Bone-in chops work too, just adjust cooking time.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- Digital meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked pork → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the pork: Season both sides with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the pork: Add pork chops to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove pork from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Return pork chops to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Overcooking can make pork chops tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 145°F, then let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy pork chops, pat them dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking.
- Pro tip: To make the sauce richer, stir in 1 tbsp of butter before serving.
Storing & Reheating Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the pork chops and sauce up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet over medium heat before serving.
Freezing Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout
Freeze cooked pork chops for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F, place pork chops on a baking sheet, and reheat for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Use chicken breasts instead of pork chops for a similar dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the pork chops and sauce up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet over medium heat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and stir it into the sauce. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of the pork and sauce → Check price on Amazon
Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 lemon
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the pork: Season both sides with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the pork: Add pork chops to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Remove pork from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Return pork chops to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Use chicken breasts instead of pork chops for a similar dish.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the pork chops and sauce up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet over medium heat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce isn't thickening, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 1 tbsp of water and stir it into the sauce. Let it simmer for another 2-3 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked pork chops for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Preheat oven to 350°F, place pork chops on a baking sheet, and reheat for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the pork chops and sauce up to 1 day ahead. Reheat in the skillet over medium heat before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 100mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Overcooking can make pork chops tough. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach 145°F, then let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Yes, cook pork chops at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Finish the sauce in a separate pan on the stovetop.
Try them with Easy Spiced Peach Bread and Honey Mustard BLT Chicken Sliders for a complete meal.
Yes, preheat the oven to 400°F, place the pork chops on a baking sheet, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Finish the sauce in a separate pan on the stovetop.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to check the labels on any seasonings or broth you use.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Crispy Lemon Garlic Pork Chops – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
