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Juicy Honey Apricot Pork Chops

Honey Apricot Pork Chops make an easy weeknight meal in less than 20 minutes. Juicy pork chops topped with a homemade sweet and tangy honey apricot reduction. Full of protein and is gluten-free for a healthy, comforting meal.

A close up of three Honey Apricot Pork Chops on a white plate

Pork chops are a favorite comfort food of mine and were enjoyed often growing up. It reminds me of the quality family time over dinner. With the fall season here, I’ll be cooking plenty of cozy meals and creating more special memories. These Honey Apricot Pork Chops just may become a favorite of yours as well.

Ingredients for Honey Apricot Pork Chops

  • Pork Chops: boneless or bone-in
  • Light olive oil: helps create a nice brown while cooking
  • Rosemary: use fresh, not dried for best flavor
  • White wine vinegar: adds a sharp tang to the sweet sauce
  • Honey: sticky, sweet and delicious. A wonderful compliment to the pork.
  • Dried apricots: these are chopped and added to the sauce for texture and flavor
  • Apricot preserves: heightens the apricot flavor and helps create a delicious, sticky sauce
  • Red pepper flakes: for a spicy kick

An overhead shot of Honey Apricot Pork Chops on a plate with a sprig of rosemary at the side

How to cook juicy pork chops in a pan

Here are a few of my favorite tips to make sure pork is juicy and cooked perfectly.

  1. Bring pork to room temperature before cooking, for 20-30 minutes. This will ensure more even cooking throughout.
  2. Be sure to not to overcook the pork, it seems obvious but it can be easily done. 4-5 minutes per side over medium-high heat is all that’s needed. Watch carefully and use a meat thermometer to check the desired internal temperature.
  3. Once cooked rest the meat 3-5 minutes before serving. If you cut into meat that hasn’t been rested, juices will run out and the pork will be drier.

How to tell if pork is cooked?

Pork chops don’t take long to cook through, especially if they are thinner. After about 4-5 minutes on each side, check the internal temp with a meat thermometer. For medium rare cook to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F. (followed by a three-minute rest). For well done, cook them to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Overhead shot of ingredients for making Honey Apricot Pork Chops on a marble surface

How to make pork chops with apricot sauce

  1. Rub pork with salt, pepper, and rosemary.
  2. Brown pork chops in skillet on both sides. Remove pork from pan and allow to rest.
  3. Drain any excess liquid but keep brown bits in the pan. Add white wine vinegar and cook until reduced slightly.
  4. Stir in honey, apricot preserves, chopped dried apricots, and red pepper. Cook until heated through.
  5. Serve honey-apricot mixture over cooked pork chops.

Tips and things to note

  • Use high-quality pork, preferably without hormones, antibiotics or nitrates.
  • The thickness of pork chops will affect cooking time. Add more or less time depending on thickness.
  • Remember to rest the meat before serving.
  • You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey.
  • Leftover pork can be used in salads, stir-fries or even sandwiches.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Honey Apricot Pork Chops on a white plate with the sauce in the background

What to serve with pork chops

These pork chops can be served with many different sides. Try serving them with a fresh salad and grilled veggies or roasted potatoes, green beans or asparagus. Here are some side dishes that would work great:

More pork recipes you might like:

Leave a comment below and star rating if you made this recipe or want to share your thoughts.

 

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Honey Apricot Pork Chops recipe - www.platingpixels.com
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5 from 6 votes

Honey Apricot Pork Chops

Flavorful pork chops topped with a sweet and tangy honey apricot reduction.
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Keyword juicy pork chops, pork chops in skillet, pork chops with apricot
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 13 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Calories 322kcal
Servings 4 servings
Author: Matt Ivan
Did you know? Servings and ingredient amounts can be adjusted on all my recipes. Click the green number above to change.

Ingredients

  • 4 medium boneless pork chops, about 1.5 pounds
  • Âľ teaspoon salt
  • ÂĽ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon fresh minced rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon light olive oil
  • â…› cup white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • ÂĽ cup apricot preserves
  • â…› cup chopped dried apricots
  • ÂĽ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Sprinkle pork chops on both sides with salt, pepper, and rosemary. Rub in to evenly coat.
  • Heat olive oil to medium-high heat in a large skillet or pan. Add pork chops and cook 4-5 minutes until browned. Reduce heat to medium, rotate and cook the other side until browned. Pork should reach a minimum internal temperature of 145° F. measured with a thermometer. 
  • Remove pork from pan, lightly cover with foil and allow to rest. Drain any excess liquid but keep brown bits in the pan. 
  • Add white wine vinegar to the pan and cook on medium-high 2-3 minutes, until reduced slightly. 
  • Stir in honey, apricot preserves, dried apricots, and red pepper. Cook until heated through. Serve honey-apricot mixture over cooked pork chops.

Notes

  • Use high-quality pork, preferably without hormones, antibiotics or nitrates.
  • The thickness of pork chops will affect cooking time. Add more or less time depending on thickness.
  • Remember to rest the meat before serving.
  • You can easily adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey.
  • Leftover pork can be used in salads, stir-fries or even sandwiches.
  • Store leftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Honey Apricot Pork Chops
Amount Per Serving
Calories 322 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 106mg35%
Sodium 516mg22%
Potassium 639mg18%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 0g0%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 34g68%
Vitamin A 185IU4%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 0.9mg5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Entrees and Dinner Recipes | Fall Recipes and Comfort Food | Gluten-Free Recipes | Pork Recipes | Recipes

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16 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe was so fast and easy! Besides being super- delicious! The whole family complimented this one. Thanks so much.

  2. 5 stars
    I really love pork chops, especially in such simple recipes like this. I love that you included temperatures instead of just cook times. Temperature is definitely the most accurate way to go.

  3. 5 stars
    The sweet flavor of the apricot sauce blended so well with the pork! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!

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