This pork chops and apples recipe is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for a cozy Fall evening. Best of all, this delightful dish comes together in just one pan, making weeknight dinners a breeze. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a quick and satisfying meal your whole family will love.
This pork chops and apple recipe is the perfect Fall meal and it all comes together in one pan. Ready in less than 30 minutes
If you’re looking to diversify your usual dinner rotation beyond chicken and beef, pork chops are an excellent choice. Often overlooked, pork is incredibly versatile and, when cooked right, offers a tender and juicy bite. And let’s be honest, pork chops are just as easy to prepare as chicken! The combination of pork chops and apples is truly a match made in culinary heaven. The sweetness of the apples perfectly complements the savory pork, creating a balanced and delicious flavor profile that’s especially wonderful during the autumn months. If you haven’t yet experienced the magic of pork chops and apples together, you are in for a treat!
Weight Watcher Friendly Swaps
For those mindful of their Weight Watchers points, this recipe can be easily adapted. As written, this dish tallies up to 13 WW Freestyle points, primarily due to the maple syrup. However, with a few simple substitutions, you can significantly reduce the points without sacrificing flavor. Using sugar-free maple syrup and reducing the olive oil and butter to just 1 tablespoon each will drastically lower the point count.
By making these simple swaps – opting for sugar-free maple syrup and reducing the fats – the WW points for this dish drop dramatically to just 6! It’s amazing how such minor adjustments can make a big difference, making this a much more Weight Watcher friendly meal. You’ll find a note about these substitutions in the recipe card below for easy reference.
Serving Suggestions for Pork Chops and Apples
While this pork chops and apples dish is fantastic on its own, pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your meal to the next level. The original recipe suggests creamy grits as a classic accompaniment, but mashed potatoes or creamy cauliflower mash are also excellent choices for soaking up the delicious apple-maple sauce. For a lighter option, consider serving it alongside a fresh spinach salad. Baked acorn squash with brown sugar and butter also makes a wonderful seasonal side, adding another layer of autumnal flavor to your meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 6 Boneless Pork Chops, about ½-inch thick
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (extra virgin, cold-pressed, and unfiltered recommended for best quality)
- 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 2 Gala Apples, diced (or your favorite apple variety such as Honeycrisp or Fuji)
- ½ cup Dry White Wine (such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)
- 2 teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¾ cups Pure Maple Syrup (Grade A for a milder flavor or Grade B for a more robust flavor)
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
See the detailed recipe card below for precise measurements and full ingredient list.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pork Chops and Apples
Step 1: Begin by heating a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter to the skillet and allow them to heat until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is shimmering.
Butter and olive oil cooking in a pan.
Step 2: Season both sides of the boneless pork chops generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the seasoned pork chops in the hot skillet and sear them on both sides until they develop a beautiful golden brown color. The searing process should take just a few minutes per side. Once browned, remove the pork chops from the skillet and set them aside on a clean plate.
Pork chops resting on a plate.
Step 3: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the diced Gala apples to the skillet and stir them to coat them in the remaining olive oil and butter from cooking the pork chops. Pour in the dry white wine and apple cider vinegar. Use a whisk to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – this is called deglazing and adds extra flavor to your sauce.
Step 4: Allow the liquid in the skillet to cook down and reduce by about half, which should take approximately 5 minutes. Pour in the pure maple syrup, and add a dash more salt and pepper to taste. Stir everything together to combine. Return the seared pork chops to the skillet, nestling them amongst the apples and sauce. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let the pork chops simmer gently for 20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.
Pork chops cooking on top of apples in a skillet.
To serve, place the pork chops over a generous portion of creamy cheese grits or mashed potatoes if preferred. Spoon the luscious apple-maple sauce over the top, allowing the flavorful liquid to drizzle over the grits or potatoes. Enjoy this comforting and delicious Pioneer Woman inspired meal!
Ingredients: Pioneer Woman Recipe Inspiration
More Fall Recipe Favorites
Looking for more delicious fall-inspired dishes? Try these other recipes:
Honey Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Carrots and Apples
Instant Pot Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
Brined Chicken Recipe – How to Brine a Chicken
Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar
Pork Chops and Apples
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Description
This one-pan pork chops and apple recipe is the ideal Fall meal for a quick and flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 Boneless Pork Chops
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Gala Apples, Diced
- ½ cup Dry White Wine
- 2 teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- ¾ cups Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 dash Salt
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season pork chops with salt and pepper and brown on both sides. Remove from skillet.
- Reduce heat to medium, add apples to skillet and cook briefly. Pour in wine and vinegar, deglaze pan. Cook until liquid reduces by half. Stir in maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
- Return pork chops to pan, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve pork chops over grits or mashed potatoes and spoon apple-maple sauce over top.
Notes
WW Points: 6 (with substitutions: 1 tablespoon butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and sugar-free maple syrup)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 27g
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
