Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbonare the perfect fall comfort food. We are obsessed with this Pan FriedPork Chops Recipe with its Fall flavors and decadentcomfort food appeal! These Honey Pork Chops are rubbed with fragrant herbs and are the perfect mix of savory and sweet when combined with the bourbon and fresh pears. This is the best pork chops recipe for fall!

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Honey Pork Chops Recipe

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon is such a special Fall comfort food recipe!

It doesn’t get better than Honey Pork Chops for Autumn! This herb crusted Pan FriedPork Chops recipe is such a gorgeous dish first and foremost, but it also packs a huge flavor punch. It’s festive, beautiful, and tastes like Fall in a skillet. Making a dish like this around the holidays will wow your guests, warm your bellies, and make your hearts happy.

I love the way the herbs and pears combine to make things both sweet and salty, and the bourbon adds just the right touch of something special. This is one of our very favorite recipes for this time of year!

I love our other Pork Chop Recipes that we make often, but these Honey Pork Chops are a serious favorite.

Honey Pork Chops with Pears & Bourbon are the perfect savory Fall dish!

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Pan Fried Pork Chops with Bourbon and Pear

These Pan Fried Pork Chops are super tasty but also so beautiful! Look at all those Fall colors in one skillet.

Ever since the success of the Apple Butter Pork Chopsrecipe from a few years ago, I knew I wanted to try my hand at more pork chop recipes for Fall. Apple was great, but pear is elevated. This dish is more complex in flavor, but still super easy and sure to please.

There’s just something about pork and fruit that just works. If you tried and loved the Apple Butter Pork Chop Skillet, you’ll definitely love this Honey Pork Chops Version!

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Tips for cooking Pan Fried Pork Chops:

  • Pat the pork chops dry and sprinkle with sugar and salt. Let rest for 30 minutes before cooking.
  • Allow the pan to get hot but not to the point of smoking. If that happens, remove from the heat and allow to cool before cooking.
  • The best internal temp for cooked pork chops is 145F. Check often and don’t overcook! People think they don’t like pork because it’s often overcooked. Don’t make their (and often MY) mistake!!

If these Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon don’t scream sweater weather, I really don’t know what does. The red and green is more than perfect for the holidays. I think this might just make an amazing Christmas Eve meal! We chose bone in pork chops because of the extra flavor, but feel free to use boneless if you prefer. Get a good cut of meat either way…it’s worth the extra cost 100%.

Serve this pan fried pork chops recipe with Toni’ssour cream and garlic mashed potatoes or Rebecca’s melting sweet potatoes. A side of bourbon bacon green beans or bacon peacan Brussels sprouts would be perfect with the pork chops, too.

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

I hope these Honey Pork Chopsare a reminder of Fall and is super flavorful at your house. I hope it involves this creative and delicious pan fried pork chops recipe. You won’t be disappointed.

See the recipe card for full details on How to Make Honey Pork Chops. Enjoy!

More Pork Recipes we love for Fall:

  • Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops
  • Glazed Ham Steaks
  • Grilled Pork Chops Recope
  • Pork Tenderloin with Honey and Herbs
  • Apple Butter Pork Chops Skillet
  • Crock Pot BBQ Pork
  • Sangria Pork Carnitas
  • Crock Pot Pork Chops

Recipe

Herb Crusted Honey Bourbon Pear Pork Chops

4.72 from 35 votes

Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Cook: 20 minutes minutes

Total: 25 minutes minutes

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbonare the perfect fall comfort food. We are obsessed with this Pan FriedPork Chops Recipe with its Fall flavors and decadentcomfort food appeal! These Honey Pork Chops are rubbed with fragrant herbs and are the perfect mix of savory and sweet when combined with the bourbon and fresh pears. This is the best pork chops recipe for fall!

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

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Ingredients

  • 2 pork chops 1 inch, bone in
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons + 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons fresh minced rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons fresh minced thyme
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 firm pears pitted & halved, stems left on
  • ¼ cup fresh orange juice
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup bourbon
  • juice from lemon
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Pat the pork chops dry and sprinkle with granulated sugar and salt. Set aside for 30 minutes.

  • Brush 1 teaspoon olive oil over both sides of the pork chops and sprinkle with black pepper, rosemary and thyme. Rub the herbs into each side of each pork chop.

  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet (cast iron is best) until the oil/butter shimmers and a small piece of food sizzles when it hits the pan. Do NOT heat until you see wisps of smoke rising from the pan. (If you do, remove the pan from the heat to allow it to cool a bit.) Place the prepared pork chops across from each other, in the pan. Place the prepared pears, flesh side down, in-between the pork chops. Cook 5 minutes or until the pork chops have seared, and are golden brown, on the bottom side. Flip the pork chops over and cook another 5 minutes or until the other side is golden brown.

  • Check the pears to make sure they aren’t burning – their color should be the color of dark honey. If they are overcooking, transfer them to a plate. Test the temperature of the pork chops with a meat thermometer. When the thickest part of the pork chops register 130°F, transfer the pork chops and pears to a plate.

  • Turn heat to low and add the orange juice, honey, lemon juice and bourbon to the pan juices. Whisk together and add 1-tablespoon butter. Whisk together until butter melts. Place the pork chops and pears back into the pan to cook until heated through. Serve with rice or roasted potatoes.

  • Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 716kcal (36%) Carbohydrates: 67g (22%) Protein: 30g (60%) Fat: 30g (46%) Saturated Fat: 14g (88%) Cholesterol: 134mg (45%) Sodium: 1233mg (54%) Potassium: 790mg (23%) Fiber: 5g (21%) Sugar: 56g (62%) Vitamin A: 630IU (13%) Vitamin C: 23.2mg (28%) Calcium: 25mg (3%) Iron: 1.2mg (7%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

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Honey Pork Chops with Pears and Bourbon (Pan Fried Pork Chops) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to moist pork chops? ›

A longer brine will bring more moisture into the pork, but a quick brine will still be helpful if you're in a rush to get dinner started. A thick pork chop (1 ½” to 2”) can brine for longer, but avoid brining for more than 8 hours to prevent toughness. After brining, rinse pork chops and pat dry to remove excess salt.

Is it better to bake or pan fry pork chops? ›

While there are a number of ways to cook pork chops for dinner, baking is arguably the easiest path to perfection. The hands-off cooking method cooks pork chops gently and evenly without the need for extra fat, resulting in juicy, healthier pork chops that pair well with practically any side dish.

What's the best way to cook pork chops to make them tender? ›

How to Make Tender Pork Chops
  1. Opt for Thick-Cut Bone-In Pork Chops. Thin-cut pork chops won't sear properly in the time it takes to cook them through. ...
  2. Skip the Brine, but Season Liberally. ...
  3. Let the Pork Chops Rest. ...
  4. Sear Pork Chops Over Medium-High Heat. ...
  5. Baste the Pork Chops. ...
  6. Let the Pork Chops Rest, Again. ...
  7. Serve.
Feb 14, 2018

Is it better to cook pork chops in butter or oil? ›

I use both! At the same time! The butter helps achieve that golden brown color and adds more flavor, but you need the oil, too, because it has a higher smoke point and keeps the butter from burning. How long do you cook pork chops in a frying pan?

What tenderizes pork chops? ›

Why it works:
  1. Acid from the balsamic vinegar tenderizes the pork.
  2. Salt from the soy sauce flavors the pork.
  3. Sweetness from the honey balances out the acid and salt.
  4. Worcestershire sauce adds a wonderful layer of unami flavor.
  5. Olive oil helps give the pork a nice crust on the outside.
Feb 4, 2022

What is the best way to cook pork chops so they are not dry? ›

For juicy, flavorful pork chops, try brining the chops before grilling or broiling — two high-heat cooking methods that can quickly dry out lean pork chops. Brines are essentially salty, sugary water solutions; they'll keep the meat moist, while adding flavor.

What seasoning is good on pork chops? ›

Best Seasoning for Pork Chops

Thyme and sage add herby and floral notes complementing pork's flavor exceptionally well. There's also a combination of smoked paprika, pepper, and a little bit of cayenne pepper, which all give your pork chops a lovely, not overly spicy, kiss of heat.

How do you keep pork chops moist when you fry them? ›

Brine with brown sugar.

We pretty much always suggest brining when it comes to pork chops. Not only does it add moisture, but it also seasons the meat inside and out. A little brown sugar in this brine also helps the exterior caramelize in the pan.

Should I cover pork chops when baking? ›

We ask you to cover the pork with foil or parchment during baking. By gently cooking the chops this way, they remain juicy and become tender.

Do pork chops get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

15 mins on a grill flipping both sides until the juice seeps out the surface of meat, then take off grill, rest for 1-2 minutes then enjoy ! No more so than any other meat. Tender cuts, like tenderloins and chops, don't need to be cooked for a long time. In fact too long will toughen them.

Can pork chops be a little pink? ›

The short answer to this common question is yes! Due to the ingredients and natural preservatives found in many pork products, it's entirely possible that your meat may still be slightly pink even when it's fully cooked. In fact, pork can even be enjoyed medium-rare.

What is the best oil to pan-fry pork chops in? ›

I always use canola oil for frying. This recipe is for two pork chops. It is best not to crowd them in the pan even if you have to start again with another batch. The biggest secret is the temperature and to keep turning the chops over.

How long does it take to pan-fry pork chops? ›

When you're frying thin pork chops over medium-high to high heat, 2 to 3 minutes per side is just right for browning and cooking them all the way through. For thicker chops, brown on both sides then check the internal temperature with a digital thermometer. It will take 5 to 6 minutes per side to completely cook them.

Can I use butter instead of oil to fry pork chops? ›

Butter, with its luxurious richness and distinctive nutty flavor, is a classic choice for frying pork chops, whether they are breaded or not. As the butter melts and sputters in the pan, it imparts a depth of flavor to the dish.

How do you make pork soft and tender? ›

Sear the pork, then bake it.

For instance, you might sear your pork in a hot pan on the stove (or on the grill), then transfer your pork to the oven (or move it to a cooler area of the grill and close the lid) for the rest of its cooking time. The indirect heat is vital to keeping your pork tender and juicy.

What should I soak my pork chops in? ›

Mix milk with first amount of salt (2 teaspoons) and allow pork chops to soak in this mixture for as long as you'd like, about an hour to maybe four works well. Overnight soaking will result in too much moisture & your breading will fall off. Remove pork chops from brine, and set aside.

Does soaking pork chops in salt water make them tender? ›

A brine is essentially just salt and water. It helps prevent moisture loss during cooking, and the salt also helps tenderize the meat from the inside out. If you want an extra juicy piece of pork, brine it before cooking. You can make an effective brine just with salt and water, but additional seasonings do help.

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