Juicy Baked Pork Chops (easy recipe that always turns out tender)
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These oven baked pork chops are the most popular baked pork chop recipe on the internet for good reason: they’re easy to make, tender, super juicy, and flavorful. A few simple ingredients and pantry-staple spices are all you need to make this incredible dinner.
I’ve been told I’m an expert at making pork chops and have more than 16 pork chop recipes for you. Try these smothered pork chops and pan-fried pork chops next. Or go for my popular baked pork tenderloin!
Let’s give it up for easy and delicious pork chop recipes! This is one of my family’s favorite dinner recipes, and we go back to it repeatedly. The flavorful pork chops always turn out tender and juicy. After you make these baked pork chops, you’ll make them again and again. The recipe is speedy and easy to prepare and is a great one to keep in your back pocket for when you need dinner stat or can’t figure out what to make tonight. You can use boneless or bone-in pork chops – it’s your choice!
In this recipe, I keep it simple and don’t sear the chops on the stove. Instead, they go straight into the oven. From my experience, this makes the chops more tender and saves an extra step of work. And with the gorgeous color of the spices, you won’t miss the sear. Serve these with a big salad and some potatoes roasted in the oven at the same time as the pork chops. It makes for the best dinner.
Why you’ll love these baked pork chops
- 100% juicy pork chops. ← truth!
- With these chops, in just over 20 minutes you can be sitting down to a delicious dinner.
- The easy spice rub, made with spices you probably have in your pantry right now, makes the chops taste amazing.
- Pork chops are a budget-friendly protein option. Knowing how to cook them so they don’t dry out will make your dinners less expensive and more delicious.
- The kitchen-staple ingredients mean you shouldn’t have to run to the grocery store to make our recipe.
- Easily made with bone-in or boneless pork chops. Choose whichever you like best!
How long do pork chops take to bake at 400 degrees?
The biggest trick to making oven-baked pork chops is not overcooking them. Since pork chops are lean, they will dry out if left in the oven for too long. But don’t worry, here’s an easy way to know exactly how long you should cook your chops.
Boneless pork chops should cook for 7 minutes per ½-inch of thickness in a 400-degree Fahrenheit oven. If you use bone-in pork chops, cook them for 8 minutes per ½ inch.
- Boneless pork chops 1 ½ inches thick should be baked for 21 minutes.
- Bone-in pork chops 1 ½ inches thick should be baked for 24 minutes.
If you’re new to roasting pork chops, using an instant-read meat thermometer is the best way to determine whether they are fully cooked. Pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. We use our meat thermometer to make sure the meat doesn’t overcook.
What spices are the best with pork?
This spice blend is made with simple ingredients and you can use it on both chicken and pork. It’s a delicious way to create flavorful pork chops. It’s my go-to recipe and I’ve made it so many times and never get tired of it. Here are the pantry staples it is made with:
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano – you can substitute Italian seasoning if you’d like
- Salt – sea salt or kosher salt
- Black pepper
It’s a basic spice rub that takes only a couple of minutes to make and has so much flavor. I recommend doubling (or tripling) the amounts so you can have some on hand for other dinners. Try sprinkling a little bit on some potatoes or sweet potatoes and baking them at the same time as your chops.
Pork recipes often call for brown sugar, but it is really not necessary. There is no reason to take a lean cut of meat and add a bunch of sugar. These chops are sugar-free and delicious.
What to serve with your oven baked pork chops
I like to serve these with a simple green salad and a veggie side that gets roasted on a baking sheet in the oven alongside these delicious pork chops. For a great meal that the whole family will love, try adding one of my favorite side dishes:
- Crispy Roasted Potatoes
- Roasted Asparagus or Roasted Broccoli
- Basmati Rice or brown rice
Store and Reheat
Store: I love a good pork chop sliced over a salad for lunch, so sometimes I make extra to have leftovers. They will keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container in your fridge.
Reheat: I like to slice them thin and warm them briefly in a pan over medium heat. You can also use a microwave.
Freeze: Yes! If you’d like to meal-prep, these baked pork chops will keep for at least three months in the freezer.
Watch how to make baked pork chops:
Juicy Baked Pork Chops (easy recipe that always turns out tender)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 4 boneless pork chops
Instructions
- Turn your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Measure the thickness of your pork chops so you know how long to bake them – see notes.
- In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano.1 tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon salt
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over both sides of the pork chops. Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over both sides of the pork chops, then place them in a baking dish – see notes. Drizzle them with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 boneless pork chops
- Bake the pork chops uncovered for 7 minutes per ½ inch of thickness, or until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit – for 1 ½ inch pork chops, you'll bake them for 21 minutes. Once you remove them from the oven, let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes before serving.
Last step:
- After you make this recipe, take a picture with your phone and share it in the comments section below. I love seeing it when you make my recipes!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Delicious! Made this exactly as instructed. So tasty and juicy. Husband loved it and wants it again very soon. Thank you for sharing this. Definitely a keeper!
Easy, inexpensive great tasting meal – thank you!
You are very welcome!
I was looking for a pork chop recipe that didn’t require a lot of prep or cooking time. This was perfect! I never seem to have garlic powder or onion powder, so I used 2 tsp garlic salt and omitted plain salt. I had to cut the spice mixture with a little sugar, just a sprinkle to reduce the saltiness (next time I’ll try just 1 tsp garlic salt). I had three thin, boneless chops. They took about 8 minutes. So juicy. I’d bought a gravy packet before I knew what recipe I’d be using, and am so glad I didn’t need it! Everyone enjoyed dinner. Thanks for a new go-to recipe.
I’m so happy to hear it turned out well!
I want to make these; however, I can’t use paprika. Could I just leave it out without ruining the recipe? If not do you know of a substitute? Could I use canola or vegetable oil instead of the olive oil? I’ve used olive oil so much I’ve become allergic. Thanks so much!
A little (teaspoon) of chili powder is nice in this recipe instead of the paprika. You can use any oil that you have on hand. 🙂
Love your easy to understand directions. I’m an older bachelor and love to cook. I’m retired airlines (passengers) and get to make an annual N.M. trip for green chilis. Plus visit relatives in So. Ill. for venison and fresh water fish. Life is good. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Johnie! So happy to know that you’re finding some recipes here that you like!
This is excellent!! I made this tonight and the seasoning is perfect. I made a mistake and used 2 teaspoons of salt and tried to pull some out of the mixture but it didn’t work out that well lol.
It was delicious though. I will be making this again and again.
So happy to hear they turned out … even if they were on the salty side. 🙂
Great recipe and so easy
Thank you so much!
Loved these pork chops.
I’m so happy to hear that!!
Made these chops last weekend and they were tender and delicious! My husband and I enjoyed them so much, I’m making them again tonight. We haven’t had pork chops in years but we will be eating them more often now.
That’s wonderful to hear! Thank you for coming back to let us know!
These were delicious! I prepared as written, using smoked paprika. They were moist as promised. My husband and I loved them.
Good call on the smoked paprika. It has such a nice flavor!
Hello! These look yummy, but I was wondering what would be the best practice for baking them one at a time? Just a really small baking dish? Is there any other way to make sure the juices don’t all evaporate? I cook only for myself and I’ve been trying to shy away from cooking a bunch of food one way because it all gets… boring very quickly. lol Any tips you have would be appreciated!
I haven’t tried making one at a time but I would suggest cooking them in a small dish as it does make a difference when cooking all 4 at a time.
I fixed two baked pork chops single dish each tonight for my wife it was very good she enjoyed it along with myself that too
That’s wonderful to hear!
This was great and super easy. Thank you Kristen. I had quarter inch thick cut boneless chops I got on sale. $3.32 jefor 6!! It only took me 9 mins in the oven because they were only a 1/4in thick. Yum, served with mash and Chile lime asparagus?
So happy they were a hit! And chili lime asparagus sounds great!
I made this tonight. Was fast, & easy Loved it & WILL do it again!
Hooray!!
I made this recipe this evening for dinner. My husband and I loved the pork chops. I highly recommend cooks to give this recipe a try. Thank you Kristen. Love your blog. Will try some of your recipes definitely!
Thank you so much for coming back to let us know. Really happy that you and your husband enjoyed the recipe!
These chops are going in the oven very soon. Can’t wait to taste them. I didn’t add the oregano but I will sprinkle some on top of the chops. Thank you for this recipe.
You are very welcome!
Your recipe is delicious!! The flavor is perfect and the meat was juicy. I’m making chops again tonight. This time I won’t forget to add the oregano. Thank you Kristen.
I’m so happy to hear you liked the recipe!
I’m Italian…have eaten a lot of pork dishes. (including sausage) Doesn’t matter how you prepare pork. Always read that meat thermometer!! (at least 145 degrees to be safely eaten) Cook pork thoroughly.
You’re right … a meat thermometer is your best friend when cooking meat. 🙂
Love this dish and so much lighter than frying
The cutlets retained all they’re juice and they were delicious
Spice to own liking but either way it’s all good
That’s so wonderful to hear!
I was looking for a basic, no-frills, easy way to make some pork chops that I had in the fridge and came across this recipe. It’s the same herb mixture that I use for chicken but for some reason I had always assumed it wouldn’t work for pork. I was wrong! It was delicious! And the timing you suggested was just right… I had 1 inch chops and baked them for 15 minutes and they were perfect. Thanks for giving me an easy way to make a delicious dinner tonight!
I’m so happy to hear that this recipe worked well for you!!