Juicy Oven Baked Pork Chops (Easy Recipe)

These delicious Oven Baked Pork Chops are seasoned with a simple and quick spice rub and baked to perfection. This easy baked pork chop recipe produces tender, juicy and flavorful pork chops every time!

The Best Baked Pork Chops Recipe

Learn the easiest and best way to bake pork chops that always turn out absolutely perfect. Enjoy juicy and tender pork chops and learn all my best tips for cooking this healthy protein the right way (at the right internal temperature and the correct cooking time!)

Thick boneless pork chops are seasoned with a flavorful dry rub made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry and then oven baked on a sheet pan or baking dish to golden brown, juicy perfection.

Pork Chops Recipe Ingredients

• Pork Chops: For juicy pork chops, it’s best to use chops that are at least 1-inch thick. Thinner pork chops tend to dry up in the oven. For this recipe, I use boneless pork chops but bone-in pork chops are also an excellent option.
• Olive Oil: Any mild oil such as vegetable or canola oil, avocado oil and coconut oil can be used as well.
• Seasonings: Brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and black pepper. This oven baked pork chop recipe uses a very simple dry rub that is super flavorful. However, pork is a versatile meat so feel free to customize the seasonings and spices to your taste.

How To Make Pork Chops In Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy clean up.
2. Mix the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Pat dry each pork chop with paper towels. Place the chops on the baking sheet and brush or drizzle them with olive oil. Season chops with the dry rub on both sides.
4. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 140ºF, when you check the thickest part of the chop with a meat thermometer. The pork’s internal temperature will rise while the pork rests due to carry over cooking (read more about this at the bottom of the post).
5. Remove from the oven and let the pork rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

The Secret To Tender and Juicy Pork Chops

I get so many questions about cooking boneless pork chops in the oven, mostly from people who grew up eating dry pork and are hesitant to even try baked pork recipes.

When baking pork chops, a few simple rules guarantees great results. Here are my most important tips for succulent, juicy and tender pork chops.

Buy the Right Type of Pork Chop

For oven baking, the thickness of the chops matter, and thick chops are a must! Choose pork chops that are at least 1-inch thick. Thin chops tend to always dry up when baked. You can use both bone-in or boneless pork chops for this recipe with great success.

Cooking Times vs Internal Temperature

Cooking times vary greatly depending on the type of pork chop, the thickness of the meat and how hot your oven runs. The meat will stay juicy if you don’t over cook it. It’s as simple as that.

The secret to not overcooking pork chops is to check the meat’s internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. Cooking times should be a guideline only.

To avoid a dry pork chop, check for doneness a few times during the last part of baking time (I usually start checking after 18 minutes of cooking). Insert the meat thermometer probe in the thickest part of the pork chop and remove the meat from the oven when the internal temperature reads 135-140 degrees F.

Rest the Meat Before Serving

Allowing meat to rest before cutting into it or serving it is a must! Remove from the oven and let the meat rest for 5 to 10 minutes. During this time called “carryover cooking”, the meat temperature rises and will reach a safe 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63° C) which puts the meat at a nice juicy medium temperature which is also the USDA’s safe temperature guideline for consuming pork chops.

Baked Pork Chops FAQ

What Temperature Should I Bake My Pork Chops At?

For this easy pork chop recipe, I bake the pork chops in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven.

Do You Bake Pork Chops Covered Or Uncovered?

For best results, I cook these easy baked pork chops in the oven uncovered. 

How Long Do You Bake Pork Chops at 375 degrees?

This pork chop recipe cooks in the oven for about 20 minutes; however, times will vary depending on the thickness of the meat. The best way to check for doneness and to guarantee juicy and tender pork chops is by checking the pork’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer.

What Temperature Should Pork Chops Be Cooked To?

Pork should be cooked to medium-rare or 145ºF which is the USDA’s safe temperature guideline for pork chops. I recommend you remove the pork from the oven when the temperature reaches 135º – 140ºF and allow the pork to rest for 5-10 minutes. During this resting time, the temperature will rise 5 to 10 degrees.

What Kind of Pork Should I Use For Baking?

As a general rule, thick-cut pork chops are best for baking. You can use bone-in or boneless pork chops to make this recipe. Make sure the chops are at least 1-inch thick.

One of my favorite cuts to buy is center cut boneless loin chop. Don’t trim that fat layer at the edge, it will protect the edges from drying out.

What kind of seasoning should I use for Oven Baked Pork Chops?

When seasoning pork, the sky is the limit! Pork chops are incredibly versatile. They have a mild flavor and can take to different kinds of seasoning like this Cajun Seasoning.

For this easy pork chop recipe, I seasoned the pork with a simple dry rub made with brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika and Italian seasoning.

Spices like cumin and chili powder are also wonderful seasonings for pork chops. Take a look at these Baked Pork Chops with Southwest Dried Rub. They are so flavorful and easy to make!

What To Serve With Pork Chops?

For a complete meal, we love serving these tasty pork chops with a simple salad or one of these easy side dishes our readers love:

• Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
• Sauteed Green Beans
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• Lentil Salad
• Grilled Asparagus
• Garlic Butter Pasta

Making Ahead, Storing, and Reheating

Making Ahead: Season the pork chops and store them in a resealable bag or in an airtight container in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to cook, remove the meat from the fridge 30 minutes before baking so it comes to room temperature before it’s placed in the oven.

Storing: Store leftover pork chops in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Reheating: You can reheat the pork in a preheated 300ºF oven. Place the meat in an oven safe container and add a few tablespoons of broth (I use chicken broth), cover with aluminum foil and reheat until the pork is warm through (about 10-12 minutes). The pork can also be warmed up in the microwave at 60% power in small 30-seconds intervals until warm through.

This post was first published in 2018. Content has been updated to give our readers better information. The recipe remains the same.