Smothered Pork Chops with Potatoes
Tender, juicy pork chops cooked in a rich, savory onion gravy with soft potatoes. This hearty comfort-food recipe is perfect for a cozy family dinner and comes together in one skillet.
Ingredients
For the Pork Chops
- 4 bone-in or boneless pork chops
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp butter
For the Potatoes & Gravy
- 4 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream or evaporated milk
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp butter
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pork Chops
Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Season both sides of the pork chops generously.
Lightly coat them with 2 tablespoons flour, shaking off the excess.
2. Brown the Pork Chops
Heat the oil and butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the pork chops and cook for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, until nicely browned.
They don’t need to be completely cooked yet.
Transfer the pork chops to a plate and set aside.
3. Cook the Potatoes
Add the sliced potatoes to the same skillet.
Cook for about 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally.
Remove the potatoes and set aside.
This quick browning gives them extra flavor.
4. Make the Onion Gravy
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the sliced onion and cook for 5–7 minutes, until soft and lightly golden.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons flour over the onions.
Stir continuously for about 1 minute.
5. Add the Liquid
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking or stirring constantly.
Add:
- Heavy cream
- Worcestershire sauce
- Thyme
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Salt
Stir until the gravy becomes smooth.
Bring it to a gentle simmer.
6. Return Everything to the Pan
Place the potatoes into the gravy.
Nestle the browned pork chops on top.
Spoon some gravy over the pork chops.
Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low.
Simmer for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the pork reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Avoid overcooking the pork, as it can become dry.
7. Finish the Gravy
Remove the lid and gently stir the gravy around the potatoes.
If the gravy is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth.
If it’s too thin, simmer uncovered for another 3–5 minutes.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve these smothered pork chops with:
- Steamed green beans
- Collard greens
- Cornbread
- Buttered vegetables
- Coleslaw
- A simple green salad
⭐ Tips for Extra-Tender Pork Chops
- Bone-in chops add more flavor and tend to stay juicy.
- Don’t cook the pork chops on high heat for too long.
- Browning the chops first creates a delicious crust and adds flavor to the gravy.
- Slice the potatoes evenly so they cook at the same rate.
- For an even richer gravy, add ½ cup mushrooms with the onions.
- For a Southern-style kick, add ¼–½ tsp cayenne pepper.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40–45 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Easy to moderate