This Honey Garlic Pork Chops recipe uses boneless or bone-in chops that are so lip-smacking good and fast that you’ll never want to try another recipe! (unless of course, it’s our honey garlic salmon) No marinating is needed; a little less fuss than our BBQ baked pork chops, this quick 20-minute recipe is the best last minute dinner.
Why Honey Garlic Pork Chops Work
The people have asked and we have answered! The demand for this recipe has been overwhelming. Since publishing my Easy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe years ago, there has been an influx of emails requesting a Honey Garlic Pork Chops Recipe! Because what better way is there than to eat pork chops in honey garlic sauce?
Honey Garlic Sauce makes everything better. Giving us a delightful combination of salty, sweet and creamy, each bite of juicy, tender pork melts in your mouth. The same goes for our honey garlic butter shrimp and our browned butter honey garlic chicken.
To achieve the ultimate tender pork chops like our creamed spinach stuffed pork chops and our pork chops with creamy mushroom sauce, sear all of your pork chops in a skillet or oven-proof pan first. Then finish off under the broiler (or grill) for a couple of minutes to achieve those crispy edges. That last step is so worth it! Similar flavours are also featured in my garlic butter salmon in foil recipe, as well as my honey garlic butter which is perfect for dipping.
What Goes In This Recipe
- Pork Chops The main protein of the dish, providing the foundation for the recipe. Boneless pork chops cook quickly and are tender when seared properly.
- Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper Adds a warm, savory depth of flavor to the pork chops, creating a foundation and enhancing the overall seasoning.
- Honey One of the foundation ingredients to our Honey Garlic Butter provides sweetness to the glaze, balancing out the savory soy sauce and garlic for a deliciously sticky coating.
- Soy Sauce Adds umami and saltiness to the sauce, creating a savory contrast to the sweetness of the honey.
- Garlic Cloves Fresh garlic brings a fragrant flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of honey and the richness of pork.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Adds a subtle tanginess to the glaze, helping to balance the sweetness of the honey and cut through the richness of the pork.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional) Provides a touch of heat, enhancing the flavor complexity of the sauce and adding a spicy kick, if desired.
- Fresh Parsley or Green Onions (Optional, for garnish) Adds freshness and color to the finished dish, providing a visually appealing contrast and a light, herbaceous flavor.
How To Make Juicy Chops
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by pre-heating your oven broiler to medium-high. (if you’re using the oven see recipe card at bottom) Pat the Pork Chops dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the seasoning stick. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside while you prepare the honey garlic sauce.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a bowl combine the honey, soy sauce, garlic cloves, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick). Stir until everything is well combined and the honey has fully dissolved. This sauce will be the key to the dish’s sweet and savory flavor.
- Sear the Pork Chops: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add in the olive oil. When hot, place the pork chops in the pan. Sear each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the pork should reach 145°F (63°C). Remove and set aside.
- Create the Glaze: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the Honey Garlic Sauce mixture to the pan, scraping any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Coat the Pork Chops: Return the cooked pork chops to the skillet, turning them in the sauce to ensure they are evenly coated. Let them simmer in the sauce for another 2-3 minutes. For extra flavor, grab a spoon and coat some of the glaze over the pork chops as they cook periodically.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the pork chops are fully coated in the sticky, glossy glaze, remove them from the heat. Serve the pork chops hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a touch of color and freshness.
Pair a variety of side dishes to complete your meal. Try serving them with Fried Fried Rice with Bacon or a low-carb option like Cauliflower Fried Rice. If you want to add a touch of green try Sugar Snap Peas In Five Minutes or Buttery Sautéed Green Beans Recipe for a fresh and vibrant side. If you’re feeling a bit cheeky and in the mood for a comfort food twist, pair them with Garlic Parmesan Mac And Cheese for an indulgent, hearty addition.
Recipe FAQ’s
Yes, both bone-in and boneless chops work well for this recipe. Bone-in chops tend to be juicier and more flavorful, but they may require a slightly longer cooking time.
Absolutely! Simply replace the butter with a plant-based alternative or additional olive oil for a dairy-free option.
If the sauce reduces too much and becomes too thick, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of water or broth to loosen it to your desired consistency.
Yes! I’m a big fan of this sauce and you can see that I’ve adapted variations of it into our Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp Pineapple Skewers and Easy Honey Garlic Chicken
Easy Honey Garlic Pork Chops Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pork chops bone-in or boneless
- 1 pinch salt to season
- 1 pinch pepper to season
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar, or any white vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoons water (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven broiler (or grill) to medium-high heat. Season the chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before cooking.
- Heat oil in a pan or skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Sear chops until golden on each side and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes on each side). Transfer to a plate; set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Sauté garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the honey, broth, and vinegar. Increase heat to medium-high and continue to cook until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly (about 3-4 minutes) while stirring occasionally. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the sauce thickens too much.
- Add pork back to the pan, baste generously with the sauce, and broil/grill for 1-2 minutes or until edges are slightly charred.
- Garnish with parsley and serve over vegetables, rice, pasta, or salad.
Notes
Baked Pork Chops:
- Preheat oven to 390°F | 200°C.
- Sear seasoned chops in a hot oven-proof pan or skillet over medium-high for 2 minutes per side — get them crisp.
- Remove chops and make your sauce following the recipe above (Step 3).
- Baste with sauce and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until you reach your desired doneness.
- Broil/grill for 2 minutes to get those caramelized edges!
Pamela Byington says
Was very flavorful.
Kiley says
Double recipe. It was a great hit !! Thank you
Connie Rose says
I made this recipe and it was the bomb it was delish thank you for sharing.
Connie from Kentucky.
Christine says
Would I be able to make this with agave instead of honey? Unfortunately I am allergic to honey but this recipe looks great!
Tom Mozgala says
Hi Christine,
Yes, you can definitely substitute agave syrup for honey in this recipe. Agave syrup has a similar sweetness and can provide a nice flavor, though it may be slightly more liquid than honey. Keep in mind that agave syrup is sweeter than honey, so you may want to start with a little less (around 2 to 3 tablespoons) and adjust to taste as you prepare the sauce.