These Easy Baked Pork Chops are bursting with sweet and smoky flavor for a 30 minute meal you’ll love. Seasoned with a variety of spices, they’re the tastiest oven-baked boneless pork chops you’ll ever make! Whole30 option.
Why You’ll Love These Pork Chops
Who doesn’t love a one-pan recipe? Honestly, they’re lifesavers when it comes to making nourishing meals without spending hours in the kitchen. From Superfood Baked Salmon, to Persian Spiced Pan Roasted Chicken, and this Mexican Quinoa Skillet Dinner, there’s something for everyone! However, I’ve noticed that I don’t often see many one-pan pork chop recipes.
With these oven baked boneless pork chops you’ll be in and out of the kitchen in 30 minutes! However, that’s not the only reason you’re going to love this recipe. They’re also:
- Made with spices you probably already have in your pantry
- Suitable for both bone-in and boneless pork chops
- Lower-carb, gluten-free, and grain-free
- The perfect combination of sweet and spicy flavors for a meal that makes it easy to eat your veggies!
Pork Chop Seasoning Secret
The secret to making the best baked pork chops is in the spice rub! Unlike other versions that mask the flavor of the meat with mushroom gravy and sauces, this recipe enhances the flavor with natural spices.
The rub comes together in just a few seconds with spices you likely already have on hand! Using sweet cinnamon, smoked paprika, and spicy chili powder, the ingredients work together to create an element of heat and a smoky flavor without overwhelming your tastebuds.
Prep Tip: Double or triple the spice rub to have a batch on hand for pork chops, chicken, salmon, and veggies!
Ingredients for Pork Chops
The ingredients for these easy baked pork chops are broken down into two parts. First, you’ll need to create your spice rub. Then, you’ll gather the rest of the ingredients to finish the meal!
For the Spice Rub
- Coconut Sugar (or raw sugar)
- Ground Chili Powder (or chipotle chili powder)
- Cinnamon
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Dried Oregano
- Sea Salt
- Black Pepper
Note: For a Whole30 option, omit the sugar altogether.
For the Pan
- Parsnips – Root vegetables that are part of the parsley family, parsnips are packed with vitamins and nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.
- Carrots – Carrots provide a good source of vitamin A, B vitamins, and potassium.
- Boneless Pork Chops – While being tasty, pork chops provide protein, selenium, zinc, and iron.
- Herbs and Spices – I used lemon slices, parsley, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
Tips for Tender Pork Chops
A common problem I hear when it comes to making easy baked pork chops is that they tend to dry out. Luckily, there are a few simple tips to make sure you get juicy pork chops every single time!
Use Thick Pork Chops. For the best results, use pork chops that are at least 1-inch thick to prevent them from drying out while cooking.
Use High Heat. Ensuring that your pan is hot before adding the pork chops will guarantee that the outsides sear within a few minutes, locking in the moisture. However, if the pan is not hot enough, you run the risk of overcooking your meat.
Pro Tip: To make sure your pan is hot, try flicking a bit of water onto it from your fingers. If the water sizzles, your pan is ready.
Rest the Meat. Once your pork chops are removed from the oven, let them rest for 3-5 minutes before slicing. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, preventing them from running out.
Don’t Overcook. The most common reason pork chops turn out dry is that they are overcooked. Be sure to keep an eye on your meat, and pull it from the oven as soon as it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees or 150 degrees Fahrenheit as it will continue to cook after being removed.
How to Make the Best Baked Pork Chops
Before you start baking, it’s important to properly season your pork chops. Don’t just sprinkle the spice rub over the meat, though! Instead, use a towel to pat the pork chops dry. Then, season both sides of the chops well, making sure they are completely coated. To make sure the spice sticks to the pork, use your fingers to press it into the meat.
- Mix and Preheat. To begin, combine the spice rub seasonings in a small bowl. Then, preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Roast. Slice the parsnips and carrots into ½ inch pieces, and toss them in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of the spice rub mixture before layering them on a lined baking sheet. Roast the veggies for 15 minutes.
- Sear. While the veggies are baking, season each pork chop in the spice rub, and place them in a pan with 1 tablespoon of oil. Sear the pork on medium-high heat for 2-4 minutes, making sure to flip them once halfway through searing.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip searing the meat! It locks in the pork chop rub and creates a crust on the outside, locking in the moisture and creating juicy pork chops.
- Bake. Once seared, place the pork chops on the baking sheet with the parsnips and carrots, and bake them both for another 6-8 minutes or until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Then let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. 160 degrees Fahrenheit is well done. Here’s a great cooking temperature chart for pork.
- Garnish. Once cooked, remove the pan from the oven, and garnish with lemon slices, fresh parsley, and optional red pepper flakes.
How to Store Leftover Pork Chops
Fridge: Stored in an airtight container, easy baked pork chops (and the roasted veggies) will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer: wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and stored in an airtight container, frozen baked pork chops can be kept in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Pro Tip: To reheat your pork chops, first let them thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, add them to an oven-safe pan along with about 2 tablespoons of water or broth, cover the pan with foil, and bake the pork chops for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or until the desired temperature is reached.
More of Our Favorite
One-Pan Meal Recipes
Common Questions
Due to the high temperatures being used, it is not necessary to cover your pork chops while baking. However, for recipes that require lower temperatures and longer baking times, it may be a good idea to cover your baked pork chops with foil.
I haven’t personally tried to air fry this recipe, but it should work! Follow a similar technique used for Air Fryer Lamb Chops. Just keep an eye on your pork chops and adjust the baking time as needed. Also, if you want to air fry the vegetables, too. You’ll need to make them in batches to ensure everything cooks completely.
While no food is inherently healthy or unhealthy, pork chops offer several important vitamins and nutrients such as selenium, zinc, and iron along with being a good source of protein. For the best option, use human raised pork whenever possible. Also, for the leanest cut of pork, opt for pork loin or pork chops.
Spice Rubbed Easy Baked Pork Chops
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Seasoned with a homemade smoky spice rub, these easy baked pork chops are combined with roasted vegetables for a sheet pan dinner ready in 30 minutes! Whole30 Option.
Ingredients
For the Rub:
- 1 Tablespoon coconut sugar or raw sugar (See notes for Whole30 option)
- 1 teaspoon ground chili powder or chipotle chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Pan:
- 2 large parsnips (7 – 8 inches long), cut into ½ inch slices
- 2 large carrots (7 – 8 inches long), cut into ½ inch slices
- 2 –3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 ½ pounds of boneless pork chops or pork loin (around 4 boneless pork chops ) (See notes for other meat options)
- To garnish: lemon slices and fresh herbs (Ex: parsley or cilantro)
- Salt/Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients for the spice rub in a small bowl, and set it aside.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the parsnips and carrots into ½ inch pieces, and toss them in 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of the spice rub seasoning.
- Lay the parsnips and carrots flat on the prepared baking sheet, and roast them in the oven for 15 minutes.
- While the veggies are cooking, generously season each piece of pork with the spice rub.
- Place each pork chop in the pan with 1 Tablespoon of oil. Sear them on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove the pork chops from the heat, and place them on the baking sheet with the vegetables.
- Place the baking sheet back in the oven for an additional 6-8 minutes or until the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and let the chops rest for 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley, if desired. Season to taste.
Notes
Pork Substitutes –Lamb chops can be used in place of pork chops.
If using bone-in pork chops, reduce the searing and baking time.
Air Fryer Option (Updated & Tested 11/2022)
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 F. Generously season each piece of pork with the spice rub. There is no need to sear the meat.
- Place pork chops in the preheated air fryer basket and bake for 12-13 minutes, flipping halfway through. (7 oz boneless pork chops, 1 ½” thick)
- Once the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 F to 150 F remove from the air fryer and let the chops rest for 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh parsley, if desired. Season to taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chop
- Calories: 247
- Sugar: 6.6
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 13.6
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 25
The spices for this dish are on point. This was absolutely wonderful.
Chipotle is such a great flavor with pork. These pork chops are the perfect example. We savored every bite!
SO easy to make! We love chipotle, thank you for this recipe!
so glad it worked out!
Love the spices Lindsay, especially the cinnamon and chipotle… and such a super easy recipe! This is our favourite pork dish which I now cook every week, and just happen to be cooking right now. Yum! I can hardly wait. It’s so tasty! Thank you!
Thank you Belle! Always appreciate that feedback. <3
This is definitely a recipe to cook for family and friends. The pork looks succulent and tender. Also the spice coating around the pork is so mouth-watering. I like the fact that you have used carrots and parsnips which not only give the dish color but also by being roasted provided a deep rich flavor.
I agree! All the good stuff in there 😉
Yasss! I’m a creature of habit so I tend to make the same chicken recipes over and over again. I’m always on the lookout for new pork recipes and this one looks amazing! Pinning for later!
Food is definitely my love language. So much time and focus and effort put into it and it’s something everyone loves. <3
I so agree friend. This is why I love this season!
SOOOO delicious! I love the cinnamon addition!
Cinnamon AND chipotle…WOWZA!!
This is definitely a time to hold loved ones close, and gathering around this dinner is the perfect way to start.
Made this last night for my very picky family and the all LOVED it, it will now be part of the rotation. I myself am not a fan of pork but will gladly eat this again. The veggies were subbed with squash and zucchini since that is what was on hand and it was still amazing. Used the leftovers in a salad for lunch today.
Oh I’m so glad Bettie! It’s a fav of ours. You can also make with lamb chops if you don’t like pork that much. ❤️
Great dinner idea!
It’s been a rough couple of weeks, with so many families experiencing tragedies, terror, etc. I feel at a loss, too. But cooking comfort food, and sharing it and telling people that you care about them, always helps. Love this cozy meal. I don’t make pork chops nearly enough!
This is so freaking gorgeous Linds!
It’s been a while since I’ve cooked pork chops. I’ve always found them somewhat bland.
That’s look like a great recipe to try to incorporate them back onto our menu.
This looks amazing— I will BE making this, just will change up the protein 😉 Making this week– another batch of sweet potato PIE <3
oh yay! keep me posted. and love the pie!
I’m still so upset. Vegas and I are barely even sleeping these days. I want to do something… but I have no idea what, beyond writing my blog post and then every representative I can!
Food is a good idea though. Food is love. xo
I know. I;m so sorry friend. I wish we could all help someway. I truly am thinking of ways. In the meantime, hugs and love you!
Tasty recipe, but please don’t cook your pork chops to 165 F.
145 F with a 3-minute rest will yield safe and juicy pork.
You are so right! That might have been a typo for 145-160F range. We just updated this recipe with thicker chops. I will definitely make that note. Thanks for calling it to our attention.
Amen to healing with food love! Too much scary stuff going on in this world.
I know friend. so sad. <3 you!
Truly truly treasure that you reminded us that we can love on others with good food and fellowship in a world where there is so much hurt. I have to remind myself that God first loved me and so many others, so I can love them. I love how you create such a warm atmosphere of love and kindness you share on your blog around all the recipes you create; there is so much of you that goes into each recipe, and it really shows Lindsay.
This has been quite the awful week, I have to say. It’s exhausting. Comfort food (like this) is so needed!!
What an awesome one pan meal full of flavor, love this!
for sure! YOu’d love this Matt!
Such a sad and emotional week Lindsay. So happy your friends are ok. Meals like this one are so comforting. I love that tasty, spicy rub and that this is a one pan meal. As usual, your photos are stunning and making me incredibly hungry!
Truly. I think we all just need a week to be with loved ones and support others.
I don’t make pork chops nearly enough!!