Bacon chops are such an underrated and delicious cut of meat. Chunks of thick, bone-in pork wrapped in tasty, smoky bacon make a hearty meal that will fill you up. But cooking them just right can be tricky. You don’t want dry or undercooked meat; you want pork that is soft and juicy and topped with crispy bacon.

It’s easy and almost impossible to mess up when you bake bacon chops in the oven. If you follow these steps, you can make bacon chops that have crispy bacon on the outside and juicy, flavorful pork inside. We will talk about everything you need to know to always cook bacon chops perfectly in the oven in this large guide.

Benefits of Cooking Bacon Chops in the Oven

Cooking bacon chops in the oven has some major advantages over stovetop methods:

• It allows for even browning and crisping of the bacon all over the chops No need to constantly flip or rotate

• The oven environment cooks the meat from all sides, keeping it incredibly moist and juicy.

• It prevents grease splatters like those you would get from frying.

• You can cook multiple chops at once evenly, Great for batch cooking!

• Oven baking gives you more control over doneness from edge to edge.

• Hands-off cooking! Once they are in the oven, you don’t have to watch and flip.

• Easy cleanup as drippings collect neatly in the baking pan.

For these reasons, the oven is absolutely the best way to cook bacon chops. Follow the tips below for the perfect results every time.

Picking the Right Chops

Not all pork chops are created equal when it comes to oven cooking. Look for:

• Thickness: Go for chops at least 1 inch thick. Thinner chops will dry out.

• Bone-in chops: The bone helps keep the meat juicy and adds flavor.

• Well-marbled: You want nice marbling throughout for flavor and moisture.

• Unenhanced: Go for pork chops without added water, salt, or phosphate injections.

• Fresh bacon: High-quality, thick-cut bacon works best. Pre-cooked bacon may burn.

With the right thick, juicy, bone-in chops and fresh, quality bacon, you’ll be all set for baking success!

Seasoning is Key

Proper seasoning before oven cooking is crucial for maximizing flavor.

• Lightly coat both sides of the chops with olive oil first. This ensures the seasonings stick.

• Use coarse sea salt or kosher salt, not fine table salt. Coarse salts stick better and provide a nice texture.

• Try fresh cracked black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, or chili powder. Apply the seasoning evenly.

• Consider a spicy rub for a kick of flavor. Or make a quick herb marinade to infuse the meat.

• Season under the bacon as well to prevent bland spots.

Take the time to season the pork itself in addition to the bacon. It makes a big difference in the end result.

Baking Vessel Options

You can bake crispy, delicious bacon chops in:

• A standard rimmed baking sheet. Line it with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.

• A broiler pan. The slots allow airflow and drainage of fat.

• A wire cooling rack placed on a baking sheet. Elevates the chops from drippings.

• A cast iron skillet. Retains heat beautifully for crispy bacon.

• A roasting pan. More sides means containing mess.

Whichever you use, be sure to preheat it along with the oven so it’s piping hot for perfect searing and browning.

Oven Temp and Cook Time

Cooking your bacon chops using the proper oven temperature and cook time is key.

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temp crisps up the bacon.

• Cook for 20-25 minutes, depending on thickness. Thicker chops need more time.

• Flip halfway through to ensure even cooking on both sides.

• Check temperature using a meat thermometer, inserted into the pork away from the bone. Pork should reach 145°F.

• Let rest 5 minutes before slicing for perfectly juicy chops.

Stick to 400°F and flip just once during baking. Use a thermometer to take the guesswork out of doneness.

Crisping the Bacon

Achieving crispy bacon when oven baking requires a few special tricks:

• Place chops at least 1-inch apart on the baking pan so air circulates around each.

• Elevate on a wire rack to allow airflow underneath as well as over the top.

• Brush chops lightly with maple syrup or brown sugar before baking for extra crispiness.

• For maximum crispiness, pre-cook the bacon in the microwave just until starting to crisp, then finish baking in the oven.

• Opt for a high-heat oven safe pan like cast iron to get the surface hotter.

Crispiness comes down to proper airflow exposure. Implement 1 or 2 of these tips for fantastically crisp oven-baked bacon.

Maintaining Moistness

To keep your pork chops plump and juicy while baking:

• Pat the pork dry before seasoning and baking to prevent steaming.

• Flip only once during baking to minimize moisture loss.

• Allow to rest after baking so juices redistribute evenly.

• Avoid overcooking – use a meat thermometer and don’t go over 145°F.

• Brush with olive oil or butter near the end of baking for added moisture and flavor.

• Tent loosely with foil if bacon or chops brown too quickly.

Perfectly juicy, never dried out pork chops start with proper prep and resting. Monitor doneness closely as well.

Cooking Times for Different Thicknesses

Pork chop thickness dramatically impacts cooking time. Here are general guidelines:

• 1-inch thick: Bake at 400°F for approximately 20-22 minutes, flipping once.

• 1 1/2-inches thick: Bake for 25-30 minutes total, flipping halfway.

• 2-inches thick: Will need a full 30-35 minutes, flipped once.

No matter the thickness, always rely on an instant-read thermometer to assess doneness rather than time alone. Thicker chops will register 145°F with longer bake times.

Pair with Perfect Sides

Round out your bacon chop dinner with these sensational sides:

• Baked potatoes – Rub with oil, salt, and pepper and bake right alongside the chops.

• Roasted Brussels sprouts – Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast until caramelized.

• Garlic herb mushrooms – Sauté mushrooms with olive oil, garlic, and herbs.

• Sweet corn on the cob – Brush with melted butter and spice with chili powder and lime.

• Seasoned green beans – Blanch and toss with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.

• Summer salad – Top mixed greens with fresh corn, tomato, avocado and a red wine vinaigrette.

So many easy, delicious vegetable sides pair wonderfully with oven-baked bacon chops. Mix and match your family’s favorites!

Serving Suggestions

Pull your beautiful baked bacon chops out of the oven and prepare them for serving:

• Allow to rest at least 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.

• Slice between the bones to get nice portions.

• Serve drizzled with pan juices for added flavor.

• Top with caramelized onions or sauteed mushrooms.

• Add a dollop of apple sauce, cranberry compote, or chutney.

• Drizzle with a flavored butter like lemon-parsley or chipotle.

• Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, chives, or cilantro.

With a rest, proper slicing, and creative toppings, your oven-baked bacon chops will dazzle on the plate!

Cleanup Made Easy

One bonus of cooking bacon chops in the oven is how neatly contained the mess remains. To clean up easily:

• Line the baking pan with foil or parchment paper for no-fuss removal.

• Carefully pour excess fat from the baking pan into a heat-safe jar or container to dispose of.

• Allow the baking vessel to cool slightly before scrubbing – heated fat can stick.

• For tough stuck-on bits on pans, simmer water for 10 minutes to soften, then scrub.

With a good liner and proper handling of drippings, you’ll find clean up after oven-cooked bacon chops is a breeze!

Conclusion

Cooking crispy, juicy bacon chops in the oven is simple when you use the right techniques. With well-sourced, thick bone-in chops, strategic seasoning, 400°F baking on an oiled rack, and minding the resting and slicing, you will achieve perfection. Serve your chops with flavorful veggie sides and creative toppings for an incredible dinner anytime. Now you have all the know-how for cooking bacon chops in the oven like a pro!