Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Garlic Herb Butter
Juicy, golden-crusted pork chops basted in sizzling herb butter
By RecipesQueen Kitchen • June 10, 2026
Pork chop recipes are surging 500% monthly on Pinterest, and this garlic herb butter version shows exactly why. Perfectly seared with a golden crust on the outside and impossibly juicy on the inside — this is the pork chop recipe that converts people who think they don't like pork chops.
The technique is everything: a screaming hot pan, a good sear, then basting with foaming garlic herb butter creates a restaurant-quality result in under 20 minutes. The butter infuses every bite with rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
Pair with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables for a complete dinner that feels special but is weeknight-easy. The key is bringing the chops to room temperature before cooking and using an instant-read thermometer to hit that perfect 145°F.
Ingredients
- 4 thick-cut bone-in pork chops (1-inch thick)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- 1
Remove pork chops from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Pat dry with paper towels and season generously on both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- 2
Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over high heat until just smoking.
- 3
Place pork chops in the skillet and sear without moving for 4 minutes until a deep golden crust forms.
- 4
Flip the chops. Add butter, garlic, rosemary, and thyme to the pan. Once the butter foams, tilt the skillet and baste the chops repeatedly with the herb butter using a spoon.
- 5
Continue cooking and basting for 3-4 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- 6
Transfer to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes. Spoon the pan sauce over the chops before serving.
