Smothered pork chops are a classic Southern dish that involves cooking pork chops in a flavorful, savory gravy until they are tender and delicious. Here’s a basic recipe for smothered pork chops:
Ingredients:
- 4 bone-in pork chops
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for some heat)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Season the pork chops with salt and pepper, then dredge them in flour, shaking off any excess.
- In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the pork chops on both sides until they develop a golden crust. This may take about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and bell peppers. Sauté until they are softened and starting to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the thyme, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper over the vegetables, stirring to combine.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Return the pork chops to the skillet, nestling them into the vegetable mixture. Cover the skillet and let the pork chops simmer in the gravy for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.
- Check the seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the smothered pork chops over rice, mashed potatoes, or with your favorite side dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
Enjoy your delicious smothered pork chops!
