Smothered Pork Chops are juicy, tender, pan-seared pork chops cooked in a rich onion gravy. A super easy dinner recipe, perfect for any night of the week!

If you are looking for more ways to cook pork chops, try this oven-baked pork chops recipe or these air fryer pork chops.

Overhead shot of smothered pork chops with onion gravy in a skillet.

The classic rich flavors of these savory smothered pork chops, a gem from classic Southern cuisine, are guaranteed to have everyone at the table asking for seconds! Every bite will remind you of those hearty, home-cooked meals we all love, similar to the comfort found in our cream of mushroom pork chops. Whether it’s a nostalgic favorite or a new discovery for you, this pork recipe is sure to become a regular at your table.

Why We Love This Smothered Pork Chops Recipe

Quick: It’s a hassle-free dinner that feels like gourmet without requiring hours in the kitchen.
Easy-to-Follow: From searing the chops to making the gravy, the steps are simple and foolproof.
Perfect for Various Occasions: Be it a casual family dinner or a special gathering, smothered pork chops fit the bill.

Close-up view of pan-seared pork chops with onion gravy in a skillet

What You’ll Need

Each ingredient, from the bone-in chops to the flavorful seasonings and butter, is selected to guarantee juicy pork chops. Fresh onions, garlic, broth, and heavy cream combine to create a lusciously thick and savory gravy, perfectly enhancing the final dish.

Bone-In Pork Chops: Look for chops that are about an inch thick. These are the easiest to cook without drying them out.
Seasonings: For a simple recipe like this, I reach for seasoning salt, black pepper, and fresh thyme. You could also add a sprinkle of onion powder and garlic powder.
Olive Oil and Butter: The olive oil and butter together create tons of flavor without smoking or burning.
Onion: Thinly slice one large yellow onion.
Garlic: Minced, fresh garlic gives the brightest taste, but garlic powder is also okay to use.
Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth is my go-to, but you could use regular chicken broth, bone broth, vegetable broth, or beef broth.
Heavy Cream: This helps to make the gravy thick and creamy without adding flour.

How to Make Smothered Pork Chops

The process involves searing the tender pork chops, gently caramelizing onions, creating a rich, flavorful gravy, and then bringing it all together. For more detailed instructions, scroll down the page to the recipe card.

Raw pork chops sprinkled with seasoning, in a skillet.

Onions caramelizing in a stainless steel skillet.

Sear the Pork Chops. Heat up your oil and butter in a skillet on medium-high heat and sear those chops for about five minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the pork chops to a plate and set aside.
Cook the Onions. In the same skillet, turn down the heat and melt the remaining butter. Add the sliced onions, and let those cook until they are very soft and caramelized.
Create the Gravy. Stir in your chicken broth, and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and then whisk in the heavy cream.
Finish the Pork Chops in the Gravy. Finally, add the pork chops back into the skillet, smothering them in gravy. Continue to cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the pork chops’ internal temperature reaches 145˚F. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Enjoy! Serve the smothered pork chops with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles.

Recipe Tips And Variations

Heavy Cream: If cream isn’t available, you can substitute whole milk or half and half, and the gravy will still taste amazing – it just won’t be quite as thick and creamy.
Different Cuts of Pork: I used bone-in chops because they are juicier but you can also use boneless pork chops. However, you’ll need to reduce the cooking time to about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Be careful not to overcook because you will end up with dry pork chops.
Add Mushrooms: Smothered pork chops are amazing with sliced fresh mushrooms thrown in – just add them once the onions have caramelized, let them cook until their liquid evaporates, and continue with the recipe as written.
Avoid Dry Pork: If your pork chops are dry and tough, it’s most likely due to overcooking them. Use a meat thermometer and cook the pork chops to an internal temperature of 145˚F – and don’t rely on color to tell if the meat is done.

Serving Suggestions

If you need the perfect pairings to complement this easy pork chop recipe, consider some vibrant veggies, fluffy rice, or any of the following sides to round off your feast.

My favorite side dish to serve with pork is this asparagus recipe. It’s a nice change from the usual green beans or broccoli. I also love this easy oven roasted asparagus!
You could also cook up a batch of your favorite style white rice or try this mushroom rice.
This recipe for oven roasted brussels sprouts is a classic, but air fryer brussel sprouts are also very tasty.

Gravy and bone-in seared pork chops in a skillet.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container with the gravy, and keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Reheat the pork chops in their gravy in a covered skillet over low heat. Be sure only to heat them until they are heated through, and then take them off the stove so they don’t overcook.