Oven Baked Bone in Pork Chops Recipe

Pork chops are a classic summer barbecue meal, often found paired with roasted potatoes or a colorful salad.

Sadly, pork chops have a bit of a bad reputation since they’re commonly overcooked and dry. But when cooked right, pork chops are a flavourful and versatile option, perfect for a weeknight family meal.

Having the right pork chops makes all the difference. Rather than boneless pork chops, this recipe uses bone in pork chops to keep the meat juicy and tender. Oven baked pork chops are also better for preserving the meat’s juices, as opposed to pan frying.

By cooking them in the oven, you can enjoy tender juicy pork chops even when it’s not barbecue season. And, you can add almost any flavoring, so they are super versatile with whatever dish you make. You’ll never fear cooking another dry pork chop again.

How Long Do Pork Chops Take in the Oven?

It’s difficult to pinpoint a single cooking time for pork chops, since it varies depending on several factors.

The most important factor is the thickness of the meat. For juicier results, it’s usually recommended you buy thick cut pork chops. Thicker pork chops will need more cooking time than those under an inch thick.

Attention!

No matter what size of pork chops, always ensure they reach an internal temperature of 145°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, consider getting one to take away the guesswork.

On average, a good rule of thumb is to bake pork chops for 20 minutes at 300°F.

When you cook this recipe for the first time, it’s a good idea to check on the chops every few minutes. Everyone’s oven is different and fluctuates in temperature, and so you want to make sure they don’t overcook.

Here are some general guidelines for the cooking time of baked bone in pork chops.

• 300°F: Cook for 20 minutes


• 350°F: Cook for 10 to 12 minutes


• 400°F: Cook for 6 to 10 minutes

Tips for Making Oven Baked Bone-in Pork Chops

• Remove pork chops from the refrigerator several minutes before cooking. This is important so that the pork can cook evenly.


• Serve pork chops hot. This keeps them juicy and tender! It’s best to avoid serving hot meat on cold plates, so warm plates up if you can.


• Let the pork chops relax for a few minutes before serving. They will have a more even pinkness, and be more tender.


• Use pork chops that are bone-in, and at least an inch thick. The bone contributes to the flavor and juiciness! Thin pork chops get notoriously dry and tough.

Making The Juiciest Cooked Pork Chops

To bake pork chops to juicy perfection, give these suggestions a try.

• Marinate your meat to help soften the flesh and make it juicier. A marinade that includes acids like lemon and vinegar helps to create this tenderness. Marinating also infuses flavor into your meat!


• Use a brine made from a mixture of water and salt. This mixture actually changes the structure of the proteins so the meat can hold more moisture. Don’t worry, the solution doesn’t actually make your meat taste salty—but it does help bring out more flavor.

Customizing Oven Baked Bone-in Pork Chops

What I love about baked pork chops is that they can be flavored in pretty much any way you want.

• They are an excellent vessel for herbs and spices, and baking them helps bring out those flavors even better. Some of my favorite flavorings to use include onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, basil, dried thyme, cayenne pepper and parsley.


• Baked pork chops are especially flavourful paired with a sweet element, as is often done in Asian cuisine. Some recipes cook pork chops in brown sugar and/or honey to caramelize the meat. You can do the same by adding 2 teaspoons of brown sugar to whichever marinade you use.


• If you like sweet mixed with a little smoky, a classic pairing is baked pork chops and barbecue sauce. Brush about 3 tablespoons of your favorite barbecue sauce onto pork chops and then bake. The sauce not only flavors the meat, but helps it stay juicy and tender as it cooks.


• Another popular variation is breaded pork chops. To make this, simply coat your pork chops with panko or breadcrumbs, mixed with your choice of herbs. Most recipes call for you to dip the pork chops in an egg mixture first, to help the bread crumbs stick.

Print

Oven Baked Bone-in Pork Chops Recipe

• Prep Time10 min
• Cook Time20 min
• Total Time2 h 30 min

• Servings4
• Yield2 chops

Chilling Time: 2 hours
Level: Easy

Ingredients

2 bone in pork loin chops

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 tablespoon of vinegar

1 teaspoon of oregano

Salt

Equipment

Baking dish

Tongs

Small ball

Basting brush

Method

1. Make The Marinade
   Mix the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and oregano into small bowl or a baking dish. Whisk together to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated. It’s best to use a deep baking dish, especially if you have thicker pork chops.
2. Allow Pork Chops to Marinate
   Place pork chops in a baking dish and thoroughly coat with the marinade. You can flip the pork chops over with a set of tongs to coat them, or spoon the marinade overtop. Once pork chops are fully covered in marinade, cover the baking dish and refrigerate for two hours. This allows the pork chops time to absorb the marinade liquid and flavors.
3. Preheat Oven
   After two hours, remove the pork chops from the refrigerator and let stand. While they sit at room temperature, preheat your oven to 350°F.

   Remember, certain cuts and sizes of pork chops may require different cooking temperatures. Refer to our pork chop cooking guide from above.
   

4. Drain The Pork Chops
   You’ll want to drain off any excess marinade before you bake the pork chops. Leaving that marinade in the baking dish will cause it to steam, and you’ll end up steam cooking the pork. Steaming will prevent the pork chop from getting that nice brown color once it’s cooked.
5. Bake The Pork Chops
   Before you put the pork chops in the oven, lower the temperature to 300°F. Cook the pork chops for 20 minutes, turning them over halfway through. Bake uncovered for best results.
   
6. Let The Meat Rest
   Once they’ve been removed from the oven, let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.

What To Serve With Oven Baked Bone-in Pork Chops

This recipe is a lifesaver on busy evenings, especially since you can marinate them the night before!

• Serve with sautéed or mashed potatoes for an easy but filling weeknight dinner.


• Make it a complete meal by adding a green salad, baked green beans or steamed vegetables.


• To save time, you can even cook your potatoes alongside the pork chops. Add 1-2 cups of diced potatoes to the baking dish, and another cup of water. If you do this, just be aware you will need to extend the cooking time.


• For something a little lighter than potatoes, you can opt for a side of white steamed rice. Or steamed sweet potatoes.


• I find pork chops also go really well with a hearty bowl of soup, such as cream of mushroom.