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Tender Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops

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A cozy and easy dinner recipe featuring bone-in pork chops braised in sweet and tangy apple cider with onions, garlic, thyme, and a hint of cinnamon. Perfect for chilly evenings when you want a warm, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in pork chops, about 1 inch thick
  • 2 cups (480 ml) fresh, unsweetened apple cider
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3–4 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
  • Optional: 1 medium apple, thinly sliced (for garnish or extra flavor)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel, then generously season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. (About 5 minutes)
  2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until the butter foams and starts to brown slightly. Add the pork chops and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chops and set aside. (10 minutes)
  3. Lower heat to medium, add sliced onions, and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. (7-8 minutes)
  4. Pour in apple cider and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. (2 minutes)
  5. Add fresh thyme sprigs and sprinkle ground cinnamon evenly over the liquid. Stir gently to combine. (1 minute)
  6. Return pork chops to the pan, nestling them into the cider mixture and spooning some liquid over them. Arrange apple slices on top if using. (2 minutes)
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let simmer gently for 20-25 minutes until pork is fork-tender and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C). Check halfway through and baste chops with sauce. (20-25 minutes)
  8. Remove chops and cover loosely with foil to rest. Increase heat to medium and reduce braising liquid for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Pour sauce over chops before serving. (5 minutes)

Notes

If sauce tastes too tart, add a small pinch of brown sugar to balance. Keep simmer gentle and covered to avoid drying out pork. Let pork chops rest 5 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices. For dairy-free, swap butter with avocado or coconut oil. Use gluten-free chicken broth for gluten-free version. Oven braising option: after searing and deglazing, transfer covered skillet to 325°F (160°C) oven for 25-30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple cider pork chops, braised pork chops, cozy dinner, easy pork recipe, fall dinner, comfort food, pork chops recipe

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/tender-apple-cider-braised-pork-chops-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-idea/