Primaverakitchen.com recently posted an amazing recipe that just had to share!  We have two words for you: Pork Chops.

Americans eat almost 50 pounds of pork per person each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service.  Pork chops deliver iron, potassium and other essential nutrients, while being about as lean as chicken.   One serving of pork is 3 ounces, or about the size of a deck of cards, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. You’ll get 137 calories and 4 grams of fat from a 3-ounce pork chop. Pork is similar to chicken, with 3 ounces of chicken breast containing 140 calories and 3 grams of fat. A pork chop has 65 milligrams of cholesterol, compared to 72 grams in chicken breast, but they both have just 1 gram of saturated fat.

Pork chops deliver a big boost of complete protein. Men get 43 percent of their recommended daily intake, and women gain 52 percent from a 3-ounce pork chop. Proteins are found in every cell in the body, where they contribute to the structure and maintenance of tissues. They deliver messages between cells, cause muscles to contract and carry important substances. For example, the hemoglobin that carries oxygen is a protein. Other important substances made from protein include antibodies, enzymes and some hormones.

If pork chops are cooked well, they can be the ultimate comfort meat. Once you figure out how to make a tender, juicy chop, it becomes a staple in the weekly rotation of dinners.  This baked pork chop is super juicy and tender thanks to the garlic butter thyme sauce and it’s super-fast and easy. Prep time is only 5 MINUTES! Cook time is only 10-12 MINUTES!! What?! This recipe is also low-carb, paleo and whole30 (use Ghee instead of butter) and gluten-free.

INGREDIENTS
Good quality butter (if possible organic or grass-fed butter)
Garlic
Fresh thyme
Salt and ground black pepper
Pork Chops

DIRECTIONS
First, preheat the oven to 375°F.
Then, season well pork chops with salt and pepper. The amount of salt and pepper here will depend on your taste.
Third, prepare the butter sauce by placing four tablespoons of butter in a small glass bowl and melt it in the microwave or stove. Once it’s melted, add chopped thyme and garlic. Stir well and set aside.
In a cast iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and when the skillet is really hot add pork chops and sear them until they get a nice golden and brown look. It’s will take about 4 minutes on each side.
Pour garlic butter mixture over the pork chops and place skillet in the oven.

Pork chops should stay in the oven until they have reached 145 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature. You can measure it by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of pork chop. In my option the best way to make juicy and tender pork chops is by searing on the stove using a cast iron skillet and then, finish cooking them in the oven. The reason being is: the pork chops will get a nice, brown and beautiful crust on the outside, and they will be very juicy and tender inside.

Remove skillet from the oven and using a spoon, pour some of the delicious butter sauce left in the skillet onto the pork chops before serve. Enjoy!!

Sides that go well with Baked Pork Chops:
Golden Cauliflower Rice
Garlic Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Mushroom Cauliflower Rice Skillet
Whole30 Mashed Cauliflower

For more delicious recipes, click here.