Creamy Garlic Pork Chops with Spinach
In short: Pan-seared pork chops simmered in a creamy garlic and Parmesan sauce with wilted spinach, a rich one-skillet dinner in about 30 minutes. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 465 kcal
Chops in cream sauce are a weeknight standby because the sauce takes five minutes and uses the pan the chops cooked in. Garlic, a splash of stock and Parmesan give the cream depth, while spinach stirred in at the end adds color and a little freshness. Choose boneless chops about 2 cm (3/4 inch) thick so they cook quickly and stay juicy. Serve the sauce over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta so none is wasted.
Instructions
- Pat the chops dry and season both sides with 1/2 tsp of the salt, the pepper and the paprika.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chops for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until browned and a thermometer reads 60°C (140°F). Move them to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the garlic and thyme and cook for 30 seconds, then pour in the stock and scrape up the browned bits.
- Stir in the cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened, then stir in the Parmesan until melted.
- Add the spinach in handfuls, stirring until wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in the lemon juice and the remaining salt.
- Return the chops and their juices to the pan and simmer for 2 minutes, spooning the sauce over them, until they read 63°C (145°F). Rest for 3 minutes in the sauce, then serve.
Tips
- Do not let the cream boil hard or it can separate. Keep it at a gentle simmer.
- For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of cream. Sliced mushrooms or chopped sun-dried tomatoes make good additions.
Questions and answers
Can I use bone-in pork chops?
Yes. They stay juicier but take longer. Sear them for 5 to 6 minutes per side and simmer in the sauce for 5 to 8 minutes, until they reach 63°C (145°F).
Can I make the sauce dairy-free?
Use full-fat coconut milk in place of the cream and 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast for the Parmesan. The flavor will differ but still works well.
What should I serve with creamy garlic pork chops?
Mashed potatoes, rice, buttered noodles or crusty bread soak up the sauce. Green beans or broccoli make an easy side.
How long does it take to make Creamy Garlic Pork Chops with Spinach?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Creamy Garlic Pork Chops with Spinach?
About 465 kcal per serving, with 42 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 31 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 465 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 31 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
