Nothing elicits more dread than the age old question of what's for dinner. It's a seemingly never-ending cycle of cooking and cleaning. This easy smothered pork chop recipe is here to save the day. You can whip up this comforting one-pan meal in under 45 minutes. It's a crowd-pleasing combination of juicy pork chops and creamy buttermilk gravy.

What Are Smothered Pork Chops?

Smothered pork chops are pork chops that have been pan-fried and covered with a creamy gravy. Here, we're making the gravy with tangy buttermilk and the drippings from the pan after cooking the chops. You can flavor the gravy with garlic, onions, herbs, spices, and more. Smothered pork chops are easy to customize and go well with a variety of side dishes.

How to Make Smothered Pork Chops

Our recipe testers raved about how easy this recipe is. Here's a quick look at how to make smothered pork chops.

1. Prep the Chops: Season the pork chops with spices and dredge with flour.
2. Fry: Add butter to a skillet and fry the chops on both sides. Remove the chops and leave the drippings in the pan.
3. Make the Gravy: Add onions to the pan and cook until tender. Add garlic and herbs. Stir in flour and finish with broth, buttermilk, and mustard.
4. Finish: Return the chops the pan with the gravy and cook until the chops are done.

How to Ensure Your Smothered Pork Chops Are Tender

There are a few things you can do to ensure your recipe for smothered pork chops comes out juicy and tender.

• Opt for bone-in cuts. A thick-cut, bone-in chop will stay juicier when cooking. Our Test Kitchen recommends choosing chops that are about 3/4-inch thick.
• Sear the chops first. Cooking the chops first before adding them to the gravy gives them a nice golden-brown crust and helps them retain moisture as they cook.
• Let the chops rest before slicing. This step happens while you make the gravy.
• When in doubt, spoon on the sauce. The rich, creamy gravy goes a long way to help potentially dried-out pork chops.

What Pairs Well with Smothered Pork Chops?

Smothered pork chops make a great weeknight meal because you can mix and match what you serve with them. Serve the chops themselves over rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta. They're also delicious with crusty bread for soaking up all the gravy. As for a vegetable side dish, we like to serve this pork chop recipe with roasted vegetables or a bright salad, like this Spinach and Pear Salad.