Imagine coming home to an uncomplicated yet mouth-watering dinner option that promises to impress. This is a tender, juicy pork chop that has been perfectly seasoned and only needs 15 minutes to bake in the oven.
This baked pork chop recipe makes one serving, which is perfect for people who are cooking for one. It’s the perfect comfort food, but it’s also fancy enough to double and serve at a small dinner party.
Want more quick and easy dinner ideas for one person that can be made in less than 30 minutes? Try our mouthwatering Chicken Shawarma, rich and creamy Fettuccine Alfredo, hearty Pepper Steak, and tasty low-carb Chicken Marsala.
For fast weeknight dinners the toaster oven is an underutilized secret weapon. It preheats quickly doesn’t heat up the whole kitchen, and produces juicy, evenly cooked meat in a fraction of the time of a full size oven. That makes it the perfect tool for baking boneless or bone-in pork chops to succulent perfection.
Follow this comprehensive guide to learn how to leverage your toaster oven for baking tender, mouthwatering pork chops packed with flavor We’ll cover choosing the right chops, proper prep, seasoning tips, ideal cook times and temperatures, doneness checking, resting, serving ideas, storage and more Let’s get started!
Selecting the Best Pork Chops for Baking in a Toaster Oven
Keep these things in mind when picking pork chops for your toaster oven:
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Bone-in chops – Bones help moisture retention and add flavor. Go for 1-inch thick.
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Avoid very lean – Some fat helps keep them tender and juicy. Go for light marbling.
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Even shape/size – Uniform thickness means even cooking.
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Fresh smell – Should have only mild pork aroma, no off odors.
Choosing the right chops gives you a head start on achieving delicious results.
Proper Preparation Steps Before Seasoning and Baking
Be sure to:
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Trim excess fat – Use a sharp knife to remove thick sections around edges.
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Pat dry – Remove moisture with paper towels for better seasoning adhesion.
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Allow to sit out briefly – 10-15 minutes helps bring closer to room temp before baking.
With basic prep complete, it’s time to build big flavor!
Tips for Amazing Seasoning on Baked Pork Chops
Use these techniques to take your pork chops to the next level:
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Use a dry rub – For maximum bark and taste, coat chops in a dry spice mix.
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Season generously – Pork can handle lots of flavor. Cover all sides and edges liberally.
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Consider marinating – Soaking chops in a marinade for 1-12 hours infuses them with flavor.
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Brush with oil – Lightly coating chops in oil prevents sticking and aids browning.
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Season again before baking – Right before baking, sprinkle extra rub again for a fresher pop of flavor.
Proper seasoning is key for pork chops bursting with flavor straight from your toaster oven.
Baking Guidelines for Tender, Juicy Pork Chops Every Time
Follow these pointers for mouthwatering baked pork chops:
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Preheat toaster oven to 400°F – High heat helps sear and brown the chops.
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Bake directly on wire rack – Elevates chops to promote air circulation for even cooking.
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Flip chops halfway – Ensures both sides cook evenly.
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Cook 14-18 minutes – Adjust time as needed based on thickness.
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Check temperature – Remove chops when internal temp reaches 145°F for just a hint of pink.
With the right techniques, your pork chops will be succulent and full of flavor.
Helpful Tips for Keeping Toaster Oven Baked Pork Chops Incredibly Moist
Since pork dries out easily, focus on maintaining moisture:
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Brush with oil – Lightly coating chops helps seal in natural juices.
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Spritz with broth – Occasionally open oven and spritz chops with chicken broth.
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Avoid overcooking – Use a meat thermometer and remove chops at 145°F for optimal juiciness.
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Rest before serving – Letting chops rest redistributes juices throughout the meat.
With a little care, your pork chops will come out tender and deliciously juicy.
Handy Pork Chop Baking Time and Temperature Guidelines
Use these estimates as a starting point:
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**400°F ** – Ideal toaster oven temp for achieving a nice sear while fully cooking chops.
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15 minutes – Approximate cook time for 3/4 to 1 inch thick bone-in chops.
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10 minutes – Cook time for thinner 1/2 inch chops.
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145°F – Target internal temperature when chops are removed from oven.
Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer for moist, perfectly cooked results.
Serving Suggestions for Baked Pork Chops
Jazz up basic baked chops with these serving ideas:
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Baked chops sandwiches with BBQ sauce and coleslaw on brioche buns
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Chopped baked pork over rice bowls with sautéed peppers and onions
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Tuscan baked chops with white beans, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes
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On sheet pan with roasted potatoes, carrots and brussels sprouts
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With a medley of roasted root vegetables including parsnips and sweet potato
The possibilities are endless for enjoying tender baked pork chops!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Baked Pork Chops
Extend the enjoyment of your baked pork chops with proper storage:
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Store – Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. Can freeze for 2-3 months.
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Reheat – Place chops on a baking sheet, cover with foil and warm at 300°F.
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Repurpose – Dice and add to fried rice, pasta, omelets or stir fries.
With the right techniques, you can enjoy moist baked pork chops all week long.
How Baking Compares to Pan Frying Pork Chops
While pan frying has its perks, baking really shines:
Baked
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Ability to season and flip chops during baking
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More even, controlled heat for thorough cooking
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Minimizes risk of burning or overcooking
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Great for cooking multiple chops at once
Pan Fried
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Can create a dark, crispy sear from direct contact with pan
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Imparts fond for making pan sauces after cooking
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Quick for smaller amounts of chops
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Provides distinctive fried flavor
Both have their advantages, but baking is ideal for moist, flavorful pork chops with less fuss.
Let’s Summarize How to Bake Juicy Pork Chops in a Toaster Oven
Using your toaster oven for baking pork chops results in incredibly tender,Flavorful and moist chops when done right. Follow the advice in this guide such as selecting quality chops, properly seasoning, and maintaining temperature control. Apply these tips and you’ll be enjoying wonderfully baked pork chops bursting with juice and flavor in no time. Give your stovetop skillet a rest and embrace your toaster oven for easy weekday dinners the whole family will love.
How To Bake One Pork Chop
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to bake a pork chop. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a small baking sheet lined with foil.
- Rub olive oil over the pork chop.
- Season with black pepper, smoked paprika, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle over both sides of pork chops.
- The pork chop should be baked for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it reaches 145° F inside.
Advice: It’s very simple to make baked pork chops, but be careful not to bake them too long. Baking in the oven for too long can lead to dry pork.
- Take it out of the oven, cover it, and wait 10 minutes.
Be sure to follow these tips so that your pork chops are perfectly tender every time:
- Be sure to season the pork before cooking. Pork is lean and it is also bland. Seasoning meat with salt and other spices is important for making it taste and feel better.
- Do not cook the pork straight from the refrigerator. Ten minutes before you’re ready to cook the pork, take it out of the fridge. This will help the pork to cook more evenly.
- Do not overcook the pork. This tip is definitely worth repeating. Overcooked pork is tough, dry, and not worth eating. If you want the best pork chop, follow the cooking times in this recipe. The USDA says that pork should be 145 °F (62 °C) when it’s cooked through. 8 °C).
- Let the pork rest. Cover the pork and let it rest for about 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will make the meat more juicy and tender.
Finding the perfect pairing for your baked pork chop can truly elevate your dining experience. The right side dishes not only go well with the main course, but they also make the meal balanced and tasty for everyone.
- Grilled Green Beans: These green beans taste great after a quick grilling with a hint of garlic. They give the pork chop a bright color and a crisp texture that goes well with how tender it is.
- A Sweet Potato: The sweet potato goes well with the savory pork because it is creamy and slightly sweet. They also have a lot of fiber and vitamins, so they are a healthy choice.
- Fried Apples: If you want a taste of the South, add fried apples to your meal. They go well with the savory pork because of their natural sweetness and slight sourness.
- Fried Tomato Salad: A tomato salad with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh basil can make each bite of the pork chop feel like a new experience because it is light and cool.
Pork chop packages usually have four to eight pieces, which might seem like too many if you’re only cooking for one person. But many grocery stores have a butcher on staff who can cut these bigger packages into smaller pieces for you. Don’t hesitate to inquire about this option.
Pork freezes well. If you want to freeze a big package of pork chops, make sure to re-wrap them in heavy-duty freezer zip-top bags or freezer paper to make them easier to handle. Label and date the package so you know when it was packed. Pork chops, pork tenderloin, and roast can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months without going bad. Well wrapped ground pork can be safely kept for three months. The best way to thaw frozen pork chops is in the refrigerator in its wrapping. For a one inch pork chop, allow 12-14 hours to fully thaw.
If you want to keep the pork cold, sealed pork can be kept in the fridge for three to four days or until the sell-by date on the package.
The key to juicy, tender pork chops is to avoid overcooking. Since pork is a lean protein, it can dry out quickly. Aim for a baking time of 15-20 minutes at a preheated 400°F oven. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes before cutting it to keep its juices. This lets the juices redistribute inside the meat, making sure a juicy bite.
Why You’ll Love This Pork Chop Recipe
- Simple: This recipe is quick and easy, and it only takes minutes to make.
- Incredibly Delicious: Expertly seasoned to hit all the right notes.
- Healthy: Lean pork is a great source of protein.
- Scalable: Need to feed more than one person? This recipe works great for parties or when you have guests over.
Check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder if you have any ingredients left over from this simple baked pork chop recipe.
- Pork Chop: Pick a pork chop that is boneless and between 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch thick. Thinner cuts could dry out while baking, which would change the taste and texture.
- Olive Oil: The recipe calls for extra virgin olive oil, which is top-notch and hasn’t been changed much. This unrefined version still tastes like olives and is full of healthy nutrients. If you would rather, you can use a lighter olive oil instead.
- Spices: Kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder are mixed together to give this recipe its unique flavor. Together, these spices bring out the natural flavors of the pork, giving it a well-balanced and fragrant finish.
Each of these ingredient notes is crafted to guide you towards creating a flavorful and satisfying dish.
How to Make Easy 15 Minute BBQ Pork Chops in the Toaster Oven
FAQ
Is it better to bake pork chops at 350 or 400?
What is the best temperature for baking pork chops?
Should you flip pork chops in the oven?
How to cook pork chops in a toaster oven?
Let’s get started! Preheat your toaster oven: Set the temperature to 425°F (218°C) and allow the oven to preheat for about 5 minutes. Preheating is crucial to ensure even cooking. Prepare the pork chops: Pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help them brown nicely.
How to cook pork chops in the oven?
The best thing to do is to preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Put your pork chops in a dish and pour some olive oil in the bottom of the oven. Cook for about 15 minutes, then flip them over and flip the oven to broil. The pork chops should be done in 15 to 20 minutes.
Are bone-in pork chops good for a toaster oven?
Thicker, bone-in pork chops are a good choice because they’re easier to keep tender and moist — but if you’re careful, you can add any of the aforementioned chop cuts to your favorite toaster oven recipes. A quick brine can help ensure the tenderness of your pork chops.
How long do you cook pork chops in a pan?
Brush each pork chop with olive oil on both sides, season generously with salt and pepper. Place the chops in the pan in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Broil for 15-18 minutes, flipping the chops halfway through, or until your meat thermometer indicates the internal temperature has reached 145°F.