Cast Iron Pork Chops and Apples
Cast Iron Pork Chops and Apples is the kind of meal that’s both hearty and homey. Boneless pork chops sear beautifully in a hot skillet, soaking up the flavors of smoky bacon, sweet apples, and caramelized onions. It’s a simple, one-pan dinner that turns a handful of everyday ingredients into pure comfort.
This skillet dinner brings together tender pork, soft roasted apples, and smoky bits of bacon. The sweet apples mellow in the heat, turning slightly caramelized, while the onions deepen in flavor.
This is the kind of dinner you make when you want something home-cooked but fast. It all comes together in one skillet, so cleanup is easier.
Everything roasts together for layers of flavor. Perfect for a weeknight dinner that looks like it took more effort than it did.
What You Need To Make These Pork Chops
Before you start cooking, make a shopping list so you have everything on hand. Prepping ahead of time makes dinnertime go smoother and helps you stay within your food budget.
Ingredients:
- boneless pork chops
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
- fresh thyme
- onion
- apples-see notes below
- bacon
- fresh parsley
Choose firm apples for this skillet recipe, something like a Granny Smith or a Honeycrisp. If you use soft apples, they’ll cook down too quickly and make apple sauce rather than holding their shape. If you want more information about cooking or baking with apples, read this piece on the best apples for baking.
What To Serve With These Chops
Serve this skillet meal with mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, or a side of roasted vegetables such as brussels sprouts. But a simple salad and fresh bread work well too.
Got Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The air fryer is my preferred way to reheat leftovers. But you can also reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
Cast Iron Pork Chops and Apples
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 medium onion peeled and cut into 8 wedges
- 2 medium apples peeled, cored, and cut into 8 wedges
- 4 oz sliced bacon cut into bite-size pieces
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F
- Season pork chops with salt and pepper
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat
- Sear pork chops for about 3 minutes per side until browned, then remove from skillet and set aside
- Add remaining olive oil to the skillet, then stir in apples, onions, and bacon
- Season with thyme, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat
- Transfer skillet to the oven and roast for 25 minutes
- Remove from oven, place pork chops on top of apples and onions, and return to the oven
- Bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm
