Are you tired of the same old, boring pork chops? Get ready to meet your new weeknight hero! These Basil Pork Chops are about to become your go to dinner for those nights when you need something incredibly flavorful on the table, fast. With a simple 4 ingredient rub that creates a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy crust, these chops are seared to juicy perfection in just minutes. If you think you don’t have time to cook a delicious, home cooked meal, this recipe is here to prove you wrong!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Blazing Fast: Ready in 15 minutes from start to finish, including prep time!
- Minimal Ingredients: You only need 6 simple ingredients, and you probably have most of them in your pantry right now.
- The Perfect Crust: The brown sugar and spice rub caramelizes into a gorgeous, flavorful crust on the pork.
- Juicy & Tender: Cooking to 145°F and letting the chops rest guarantees a perfectly juicy result every single time.
Ingredients for Basil Pork Chops
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 4 boneless pork loin chops (½-inch thick, about 4-5 oz each)
Instructions for Making Basil Pork Chops
1Create the Flavor Packed Rub: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, dried basil, salt, and chili powder.
Gradually stir in 1 tablespoon of the canola oil. The mixture will be thick, sandy, and crumbly; that’s exactly what you want!
2Season the Pork Chops: Pat the pork chops completely dry with a paper towel. This is the secret to getting a perfect sear.
Rub the brown sugar spice mixture generously over both sides of each pork chop, pressing gently to make sure the rub adheres.
3Sear to Perfection: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the pork chops. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; cook in two batches if necessary.
Cook for 4-6 minutes on the first side, until a beautiful golden brown crust forms.
Flip and cook for another 4-6 minutes on the second side. The chops are done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 145°F (63°C).
4The Most Important Step: Rest! Transfer the cooked pork chops to a clean plate or cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes. Do not skip this step! Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every single bite is moist and tender.
5Serve and Enjoy! Serve your juicy, flavorful basil pork chops immediately. They are fantastic with simple sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or a crisp green salad.
15 Minute Basil Pork Chops
Ingredients
- ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons canola oil divided
- 4 boneless pork loin chops ½ inch thick
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix brown sugar, basil, salt, and chili powder. Stir in 1 tbsp oil to form a crumbly rub.
- Pat pork chops dry. Rub the spice mixture over both sides of each chop.
- Heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook chops for 4-6 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 145°F.
- Remove from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
