Juicy Oven-Baked Pork Chops with Garlic and Herbs

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F and place an oven rack in the center. Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel and season evenly on all sides with the kosher salt (1 teaspoon) and black pepper (1/2 teaspoon).

Step 2

Heat an oven-safe skillet on high or medium-high heat, depending on your burners, until very hot. This will take only 30 seconds or so with stainless steel, but up to 5 minutes with cast iron. (to test, you shouldn't be able to hold your hand a couple inches over the skillet's surface for more than a few seconds.)

Step 3

Add the oil (2 tablespoons) and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan (or use a spatula to evenly distribute it). Add the pork chops to the skillet and allow to sear, undisturbed, for 2 minutes. While they are searing, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the fresh oregano and thyme (or less than 1/2 teaspoon if using dried), once minced clove of garlic, and half the lemon zest on the top side of the pork chops.

Step 4

Turn off the heat on the burner and flip the pork chops. (Tip: they should release easily from the bottom of the skillet- if they don't, they may need more time searing.) With the seared side facing up, sprinkle the remainder of the fresh herbs, minced garlic, and lemon zest on top of the pork chops. Place the lemon wedges in the spaces around the pork chops. Slide skillet onto center oven rack and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until internal temperature is 145 degrees F (cooking time will vary depending on thickness and oven temperature).

Step 5

Remove pork chops to a plate or cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes (tent with foil if resting for longer than that to keep them warm).

Step 6

When you remove the pork chops and lemons, use tongs to squeeze as much lemon juice out of the slices as you can into the skillet. While the pork chops are resting, return the skillet to the stovetop on medium-high heat. Important: use a handle cover or potholders when touching the handle- it's easy to forget it's been in the oven all this time!

Step 7

Add the white wine (1/2 cup) and use a wooden spoon or metal spatula to deglaze and scrape up any stuck-on bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 8

Pour in the chicken stock (1/2 cup) and simmer until about half the liquid has evaporated and the sauce has thickened (about 2 minutes).

Step 9

Turn off heat and add the butter (1 tablespoon) to the skillet. Stir until it's melted into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the pork chops (and any other accoutrements, such as mashed potatoes) to serve.