Juicy pork chops are seared to perfection and paired with a luscious creamy bacon pan sauce. This dish is rich, savory, and perfect for a cozy dinner. The smoky bacon flavor combined with the creamy sauce elevates the chops into a gourmet experience that’s deceptively simple to make.
Why You’ll Love Pork Chops with Creamy Bacon Pan Sauce?
This recipe takes ordinary pork chops to the next level with a sauce that’s a flavor-packed masterpiece. It’s quick to prepare, requires just a handful of ingredients, and is guaranteed to impress your family or guests. The creamy sauce makes the dish indulgent, while the crispy bacon adds the perfect salty crunch.
Ingredients
- Pork chops: Bone-in or boneless pork chops work; choose thick-cut for juicier results.
- Bacon: Provides a smoky, savory base for the sauce.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
- Garlic: Enhances the depth of flavor.
- Chicken broth: Balances the creaminess and adds a savory note.
- Fresh parsley: For a touch of freshness and garnish.
Full list of ingredients and measurements is below.
Directions
- Cook bacon in a skillet until crispy, then transfer to a plate, leaving the drippings in the pan.
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, and sear them in the same skillet until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
- In the skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits.
- Stir in heavy cream and let it simmer to thicken slightly.
- Crumble the cooked bacon into the sauce and return the pork chops to the skillet, spooning the sauce over them.
- Simmer for a few minutes until the pork chops are fully cooked.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Time and Servings
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Serves: 4
Variations
- Add mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
- Substitute pork chops with chicken breasts for a different protein.
- Use a splash of white wine instead of chicken broth for a more sophisticated sauce.
FAQs
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, but the sauce will be slightly thinner. You can thicken it by simmering longer or adding a slurry of cornstarch and water.
What’s the best way to reheat this dish?
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to maintain the sauce’s consistency.
Pork Chops with Creamy Bacon Pan Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Fried, Simmered
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Juicy, tender pork chops are seared to perfection and paired with a luscious, creamy bacon pan sauce. This dish is rich, comforting, and packed with savory flavors that make it perfect for a special dinner or a cozy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
For the Pork Chops:
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops (about 1-inch thick)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Creamy Bacon Pan Sauce:
- 4 slices of bacon, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season the Pork Chops:
Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. - Sear the Pork Chops:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork chops and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (145°F internal temperature). Remove from the skillet and set aside. - Cook the Bacon:
In the same skillet, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet. - Make the Sauce:
- Add minced garlic to the bacon fat and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Combine and Serve:
Return the pork chops and cooked bacon to the skillet. Spoon the creamy sauce over the pork chops and simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to reheat. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. - Garnish and Enjoy:
Serve immediately, garnished with extra thyme if desired.
Notes
- Pair this dish with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce, though it may not be as thick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with sauce
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 125mg