Saucy Pork Chop Skillet — A Sunday Dinner That Holds the Week Together

March. Spring trying harder. Some warm days, some cold. The thaw-freeze cycle cracks the streets. I drove Monday and Wednesday.

Book two revision at 65%.

Amber's 20th birthday is Saturday July — no wait that is in July. March is her mid-semester. She is doing well.

Gayle had a good week. Ate more. Walked more. Talked more.

Sunday dinner: roast chicken.

Sunday dinner is the one thing I don’t negotiate with myself — the week had been good but full, revision ticking forward, Gayle turning a corner, the streets still cracked from freeze and thaw, and I wanted something on the table that required almost nothing of me beyond showing up. A skillet dinner with a proper sauce fit that mood exactly: one pan, real food, enough warmth to close out the week right.

Saucy Pork Chop Skillet

Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 30 min | Total Time: 40 min | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in pork chops, about 3/4 inch thick
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Season the chops. Pat pork chops dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and pepper.
2. Sear until golden. Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and sear 3 to 4 minutes per side until a deep golden crust forms. Transfer to a plate and set aside; do not discard drippings.
3. Soften the onion. Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onion to the same skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes until softened and lightly caramelized. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Build the sauce. Stir in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Return and simmer. Nestle the pork chops back into the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 15 to 18 minutes, until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145°F and the sauce has thickened slightly.
6. Rest and serve. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 3 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve directly from the skillet.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 290 | Protein: 31g | Fat: 13g | Carbs: 11g | Fiber: 2g | Sodium: 530mg