Pioneer Woman Pork Chops with Apples: A Flavorful Fall Family Dinner

This pork chops and apple recipe brings together the comforting flavors of fall in a single pan, reminiscent of Ree Drummond’s classic style. It’s a straightforward meal, ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner that feels special.

Pioneer Woman Pork Chops with Apples Recipe: Juicy pork chops simmered with caramelized apples in a skillet, a perfect fall dish.

If you’re looking to diversify your usual dinner rotation beyond chicken or beef, pork chops are an excellent choice. Often overlooked, pork offers a delicious flavor profile that pairs wonderfully with sweet and savory elements. And when combined with apples, you have a match made in culinary heaven. This pork chops with apples recipe captures that perfect balance, offering a comforting and satisfying meal. For those new to cooking pork, or simply looking for a quick and delicious option, this recipe is incredibly accessible and rewarding.

Weight Watcher Friendly Adaptations

The original recipe, as is, tallies up to 13 WW Freestyle points, primarily due to the maple syrup content. For those mindful of WW points, simple substitutions can significantly lighten this dish without compromising on flavor. By switching to sugar-free maple syrup and reducing the olive oil and butter to just 1 tablespoon each, you can cut the WW points down to a much more manageable 6 points per serving. This simple swap demonstrates how easily you can adapt classic recipes to fit your dietary needs.

Serving Suggestions for Pork Chops and Apples

While this dish is delightful on its own, consider enhancing your meal with complementary side dishes. Creamy grits are suggested as a classic pairing, but mashed potatoes or creamy cauliflower mash also work beautifully to soak up the flavorful apple-maple sauce. For a lighter counterpoint, a fresh spinach salad provides a refreshing contrast. Another excellent choice is Baked Acorn Squash with Brown Sugar and Butter, adding another layer of autumnal flavors to your plate.

Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Inspired Pork Chops and Apples

Here’s what you’ll need to create this flavorful dish:

• Boneless Pork Chops: 6 whole boneless pork chops, about ½-inch thick, are ideal for quick and even cooking.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin, cold-pressed olive oil is recommended for its superior flavor and quality when sautéing.
• Unsalted Butter: Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the dish, crucial for balancing flavors in cooking.
• Gala Apples: 2 Gala apples, diced, offer a balance of sweetness and tartness, but feel free to use your favorite apple variety.
• Dry White Wine: ½ cup of dry white wine adds depth and acidity to the sauce. Choose a wine you enjoy drinking, as its flavor will enhance the dish.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar provides a tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the maple syrup and apples.
• Pure Maple Syrup: ¾ cups of pure maple syrup are essential for that signature sweet and rich glaze. Ensure it’s pure maple syrup without additives for the best flavor.
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste, these seasonings are crucial for enhancing all the other flavors in the dish.

Refer to the recipe card below for precise measurements and a printable version.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pork Chops and Apples

Step 1: Begin by heating a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Heat until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is hot.

Melting butter and olive oil in a skillet, preparing to cook pork chops and apples.

Step 2: Season both sides of the pork chops generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the seasoned pork chops in the hot skillet and brown them on both sides until they achieve a nice golden color. Once browned, remove the pork chops from the skillet and set them aside on a separate plate.

Perfectly browned pork chops resting on a plate after being seared in a skillet.

Step 3: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the diced Gala apples to the skillet and stir to coat them in the remaining olive oil and butter. Pour in ½ cup of dry white wine and 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. Use a whisk to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

Deglazing a skillet with white wine and apple cider vinegar after cooking pork chops, releasing flavorful browned bits.

Step 4: Cook the apple mixture until the liquid reduces by half, approximately 5 minutes. Pour in ¾ cups of pure maple syrup, then add a dash of salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Return the browned pork chops to the skillet, nestling them among the apples. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until pork chops are cooked through and tender.

Pork chops simmering with apples and maple syrup in a covered skillet, creating a flavorful sauce.

To serve, place the pork chops over a bed of Creamy Cheese Grits or mashed potatoes, if desired. Spoon the generous apple-maple sauce over the pork chops, allowing the luscious liquid to drizzle over your chosen base. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful Pioneer Woman inspired meal!

Inspired by a recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

More Fall Dinner Inspiration

Looking for more delicious fall recipes? Try these:

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

Deliciously plated Pork Chops and Apples, showcasing a perfect fall dinner.

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Print Recipe

Recipe Description

This pork chops and apple recipe is the perfect Fall meal and it all comes together in one pan, inspired by Pioneer Woman.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Heat skillet over medium-high, add oil and butter.
2. Season pork chops, brown both sides, remove from skillet.
3. Reduce heat, add apples, wine, vinegar, deglaze pan. Cook until liquid reduces.
4. Add maple syrup, salt, pepper. Return pork chops, cover, simmer 20 min.
5. Serve over grits or potatoes, spoon sauce over top.

Recipe Notes

WW Points: 6 (with substitutions: 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, sugar-free maple syrup)

Nutritional Information

• Serving Size: 1
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 27g
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 24g