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Baked pork chops are my go-to when it comes to pork chop recipes, but for when you don’t want to turn on your oven or need it for another dish, let me show you how to cook pork chops in a pan instead. These pan seared pork chops are a delicious and easy dinner that’s ready in less than 15 minutes. Serve them with a veggie side dish and dinner is done. I think this cast iron skillet pork chops recipe on the stovetop is one of the best ways to make them!
Why You’ll Love This Pan Seared Pork Chops Recipe
- Savory + delicious flavor
- Juicy, tender pork chops
- Simple ingredients
- Prep and cook in just a few steps
- Ready in just 15 minutes

Ingredients For The Best Pan Seared Pork Chops
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for skillet pork chops, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Choosing The Pork Chops:
- Bone-in vs. boneless pork chops – Many people feel that the bone-in gets better flavor, and this can also help protect against over-cooking. I prefer less fuss with boneless pork chops. You can make stovetop pork chops of either type.
- Cuts of pork chops – There are many cuts of pork chops: shoulder chops (darker meat with lots of fat and connective tissue), rib chops (a fattier cut that’s also very tender), loin chops (very lean and mild flavor), boneless chops (also very lean and mild), and sirloin chops (lots of pork flavor, but also very tough). I recommend rib, loin, or boneless varieties for making pan seared pork chops, as these are the most tender.
- Thickness – Pork chops come in a range of thicknesses, which will effect the cooking time. Thicker pork chops are great for a main dish, thinner chops work well for meals like sandwiches. Thicker chops are also harder to overcook, so I recommend at least 1 inch thick.
- Appearance – Fresh pork chops will be light pink and firm, with varying levels of marbling and fat.
How To Season Pork Chops:
- Olive oil – Regular olive oil has a high smoke point, which is great for cast iron skillet pork chop recipes that require hot oil. Avocado oil works great, too. Some people use butter, but it has a low smoke point. If you want the flavor, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the pan toward the end of the cooking process.
- Pork chop seasoning – I like to make my own quick pork chop seasoning, which has just a handful of spices: garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried herbs (thyme and oregano), sea salt (or kosher salt), black pepper, and cayenne pepper. These are all common pantry ingredients and it’s the best! Alternatively, you can also simply season your pork chops with sea salt (1 teaspoon per pound of pork) and black pepper (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per pound), or use a pork chop marinade.

VARIATION: Use other seasonings.
Although pork seasoning works perfectly with cast iron pork chops, you can give these chops a smoky flavor with blackened seasoning or a zesty flavor with Caribbean jerk seasoning.
How To Pan Sear Pork Chops
This section shows how to cook pork chops in a skillet, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For instructions, see the full recipe card below.
- Bring to room temperature. If you have time, remove the pork chops from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking, which will help them cook more evenly.
- Make the seasoning. Stir together the pork chop seasoning ingredients. (You can also make a batch of this ahead of time.)
- Pat dry. Patting the pork chops with a paper towel before seasoning will help them stay juicy and the seasonings stick better.
- Season pork chops generously. Sprinkle both sides of the pork chop with the spice mixture.

TIP: Use 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound.
My four pork chops were 8 ounces each, so I used 2 tablespoons of seasoning total.


- Pan sear pork chops. Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet and add pork chops in a single layer to the hot pan. Sear until the first side is golden brown, then flip and continue pan searing until cooked through (see recommended internal temperature below).

TIP: Let them rest.
Remove pan seared pork chops from skillet right away so they don’t continue cooking. Then, cover with foil and let them rest for 5-10 minutes to let the juices settle before you cut into them.

The beautiful thing about pan seared recipes is that they cook so quickly! There’s no need to wait for the oven to preheat or your protein to bake, so it’s a great fast dinner option. Try juicy pan seared chicken breast, flaky pan fried salmon, or pan seared scallops next and find your new family favorite.
How Long To Pan Fry Pork Chops?
Depending on their thickness, pan fried pork chops will take 2-6 minutes per side. However, how long to cook pork chops in a skillet will also vary depending on the pan you use and whether you are using boneless or bone-in pork chops.
With this recipe for pan seared pork chops, here are the approximate cook times over medium high heat:
Thickness | Bone-In Or Boneless | Cook Time |
---|---|---|
1/2 inch | Boneless | 2-3 minutes per side |
1 inch | Boneless | 4-5 minutes per side |
1/2 inch | Bone-in | 2-4 minutes per side |
1 inch | Bone-in | 4-6 minutes per side |

TIP: On average, cast iron skillet boneless pork chops will cook about 1 minute quicker than bone-in chops.
At What Temperature Are Skillet Pork Chops Done?
For perfect pork chops, use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Pork chops are done when the internal temperature at the thickest part reaches 145 degrees F, but because the temperature rises as they rest, it’s fine to remove them at 140 degrees F for the juiciest pork chops.
You can use either a probe thermometer like this (insert it after flipping), but for stovetop pork chops where I’m nearby during the cooking process anyway, I usually use this regular instant-read thermometer. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can still use the time chart above as a guide.
Storage Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat the pork chops in a cast iron skillet for best results, just until heated through so you don’t overcook them.
- Freeze: Freeze pan seared pork chop recipes like this one in an airtight container for 2-3 months.

What To Serve With Pan Seared Pork Chops
Cast iron skillet pork chop recipes go with all kinds of side dishes! Try these to make a full meal:
- Vegetables – You can make roasted asparagus, crispy zucchini fries, or simple roasted cauliflower in the oven while your cast iron pork chops are cooking on the stove. Alternatively, make it an entirely stovetop meal with green beans almondine or sauteed cabbage.
- Potatoes – Serve crispy roasted potatoes or (the fastest ever) air fryer baked potatoes for a hearty meal, or try mashed sweet potatoes or simple baked sweet potatoes for a bit more nutrition. Mashed cauliflower is great for a lighter option.
- Salads – Pan seared pork chops work with hearty salads like broccoli cauliflower salad or quinoa salad, as well as light options like tomato cucumber avocado salad or spring mix salad. You can also replace chicken with sliced pork chops in cobb salad or chef salad.
More Pork Chop Recipes
- Baked Pork Chops
- Stuffed Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Smothered Pork Chops – Make this if you prefer your chops with a sauce.
Tools To Make Cast Iron Pork Chops
- Cast Iron Skillet – A quality cast iron pan is the key to the perfect sear! This is one of my faves.
- Thermometer – My top tip for the best pan seared pork chops? Use a thermometer (either a probe thermometer or instant-read thermometer) to ensure they’re perfectly cooked.
Pan Seared Pork Chops Recipe
Pan Seared Pork Chops (Cast Iron Skillet)
Learn how to cook pork chops in a cast iron skillet, juicy every time! This pan seared pork chops recipe is an easy 15-minute skillet dinner.
Recipe Video
Tap on the image below to watch the video.Like this video? Subscribe to my YouTube cooking channel for healthy recipes weekly! (Click the bell icon to be notified when I post a new video.)
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Use a paper towel to pat the pork chops dry.
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Season pork chops with pork chop seasoning on both sides, about 1/2 tablespoon per pork chop.
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Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, until shimmering. Add the pork chops in a single layer. Sear for 3-5 minutes per side, without moving except to flip, until internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Use a probe thermometer for best results, but here is a guideline for pork chop searing times:
* 1" thick boneless pork chops: 4-5 minutes per side
* 1/2" thick boneless pork chops: 2-3 minutes per side
* 1" thick bone-in pork chops: 4-6 minutes per side
* 1/2" thick bone-in pork chops: 2-4 minutes per side
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Transfer pork chops to a plate. Rest for 5 minutes before serving (internal temperature should rise to 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) during resting).
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 seared pork chop
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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25 Comments
Leone Turner
0Do not have a cast iron pan. Have a great Emerill pan, can I use that?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Leone, Yes, that will work.
Deborah Abbley
0Should I put in oven after?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Deborah, No, you do not need to use the oven for this recipe.
Michael H.
0This recipe was super easy and quick, whole family loved it, will definitely be making this again soon.
mary ellen
0This was so easy – and delicious! The rub was AH-MAAAAH-ZING! I will now make a bottle load of the rub and put it in the cabinet for future use. A great simple recipe.
Walter Stone
0Do you have a reverse sear pork chop recipe for really thick bone-in chops? Something in the 2 inch thick cut rib chop is what I’m kinda looking for.
Will be looking for your response…..thank you
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Walter, I don’t have a recipe for reverse sear pork chops, but I do have this reverse sear steak recipe. The process should be very similar, except you may want different seasonings (you could use the ones from the pan seared recipe above). Let me know how it goes if you try it this way!
Paul Kern
0I used this cooking approach with preseasoned pork chops— excellent! Juicy & tender 1” pork chops!! Just keep an eye on that thermometer to stop at 140 degrees and yours will be amazing, too!!!
Kathy Cole
0This was excellent! With your advice and seasoning, they came out juicy and tasty. I seasoned as you suggested. Cooked them in a cast iron skillet. When I was done they looked dry. But I wrapped them in aluminum foil and in 10 minutes they were swimming in juice. Thank you!!!!
Jen
0Delicious!!!! But VERY VERY smokey. Absolutely smoked us out.
Scott
0You must have had the heat up TOO high. There’s nothing inherently about this recipe that is smoky at all. Try a lower heat and turn on the overhead fan
John Rogers
0Delectable and moist with rub; very good with salt and pepper.
Jean Watkins
0Love it! Pork chops were tasty and tender.
Very good!
Stacy
0I’m not a big pork chop fan, but with this recipe, I am now! Everyone loved the flavor. They would not stop talking about them.
Amy
0These pan seared pork chops were cooked to perfection! I love the seasoning, it’s so good!
Kristyn
0I’m drooling!! Wishing I had some right in front of me!! I could eat pork chops any time & your recipe is easy to make & they taste wonderful!
Natalie
0Mmm… juicy, tender, & so tasty!! Love the rub! I will be keeping this on hand!
Laura
0It’s so tricky sometimes to get juicy AND cooked pork chops, thanks for the recipe.
Toni
0I love how quick and easy this is to make! Seriously amazing!
Kara
0I used your rub with a little less oregano (because it’s not my favorite). They turned out perfectly flavorful and juicy!
Beth
0These look delicious. I personally like the bone in pork chops better. Now I just need to break out my cast iron skillet.
Swathi
0This Pan Seared Pork chops is delicious.
Toni
0This is really good and tasty! Everyone at my house loved it.
Matt Taylor
0I love these pan-seared pork chops! They are so easy to make and super flavorful. Great tips for picking the pork chops and seasoning them.