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Imagine coming home to an uncomplicated yet mouth-watering dinner option that promises to impress. We’re talking about a perfectly seasoned, tender, and juicy pork chop that takes just 15 minutes to bake to perfection in your oven.
Ideal for anyone who is cooking for one, this single serving baked pork chop recipe is the epitome of comfort food, yet sophisticated enough to double and serve at an intimate dinner party.
Looking for more single serving dinner ideas that can be ready in less than 30 minutes? You’ll love our flavor-packed Chicken Shawarma, rich and creamy Fettuccine Alfredo, hearty Pepper Steak, and deliciously low-carb Chicken Marsala.
Why You’ll Love This Pork Chop Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in minutes, this recipe fits right into your busy schedule.
- Incredibly Delicious: Expertly seasoned to hit all the right notes.
- Healthy: Lean pork is a great source of protein.
- Scalable: Need to feed more than one? This recipe doubles exceptionally well for those special occasions or when you have company.
RELATED: Easy Slow Cooker Recipes For One
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy baked pork chop recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Pork Chop: Choose a boneless pork chop with a thickness between 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch. Thinner cuts risk drying out during the baking process, affecting both texture and flavor.
- Olive Oil: The recipe calls for extra virgin olive oil, known for its high quality and low level of processing. This unrefined variant retains the authentic flavor of olives and is rich in nutrients. If you prefer, a lighter olive oil will work as a suitable alternative.
- Seasonings: This recipe achieves its distinct taste through a blend of kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. These seasonings work together to amplify the natural flavors of the pork, providing a balanced and aromatic finish.
Each of these ingredient notes is crafted to guide you towards creating a flavorful and satisfying dish.
How To Bake One Pork Chop
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to bake a pork chop. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a small baking sheet lined with foil.
- Rub olive oil over the pork chop.
- In a small bowl, mix together salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle over both sides of pork chops.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the pork chop reaches an internal temperature of 145° F.
Pro Tip: Baked pork chops couldn’t be easier to make but the trick is to make sure you don’t overbake them. Baking in the oven for too long can lead to dry pork.
- Remove from the oven, cover, and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Expert Tips
Be sure to follow these tips so that your pork chops are perfectly tender every time:
- Be sure to season the pork before cooking. Pork is lean and it is also bland. Seasoning with salt and other spices is essential for enhancing the texture and taste of the meat.
- Do not cook the pork straight from the refrigerator. Remove the pork from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you are ready to cook it. This will help the pork to cook more evenly.
- Do not overcook the pork. This tip is definitely worth repeating. Overcooked pork is tough, dry, and not worth eating. Follow the cook times in this recipe for the best-tasting pork chop. The USDA states that pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 °F (62.8 °C).
- Let the pork rest. After you remove the pork from the oven, cover it and let it rest for 10 minutes or so. This gives you a juicier and more tender piece of meat.
Serving Suggestions
Finding the perfect pairing for your baked pork chop can truly elevate your dining experience. The right side dishes not only complement the main course but also create a balanced meal that satisfies all your taste buds.
- Sauteed Green Beans: A quick sauté with a hint of garlic gives these green beans a flavorful edge. They add a vibrant color and a crisp texture that contrasts beautifully with the tenderness of the pork chop.
- A Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes offer a creamy and slightly sweet counterpoint to the savory pork. They’re also a great source of vitamins and fiber, making them a nutritious choice.
- Fried Apples: For a touch of Southern comfort, consider adding fried apples to your plate. Their natural sweetness and slight tartness offer a delightful contrast to the pork’s savory profile.
- Fresh Tomato Salad: Light and refreshing, a tomato salad with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh basil can cut through the richness of the pork chop, making each bite feel like a fresh experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s common to find pork chop packages containing 4 to 8 pieces, which might seem excessive if you’re cooking for one. However, many grocery stores feature an in-house butcher who can divide these larger packages into smaller portions for you. Don’t hesitate to inquire about this option.
Pork freezes well. If you purchase a large package of pork chops and want to freeze them, be sure to re-wrap the pork into convenient portions in either heavy-duty freezer zip-top bags or freezer paper. Label and date the package so you know when it was packed.
Fresh cuts of pork such as pork tenderloin, roast, and pork chops can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. Well wrapped ground pork can be safely kept for three months.
The best way to thaw frozen pork chops is in the refrigerator in its wrapping. For a one inch pork chop, allow 12-14 hours to fully thaw.
If you want to refrigerate the pork, sealed pork can be safely stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or use by the sell-by date on the package.
The key to juicy, tender pork chops is to avoid overcooking. Since pork is a lean protein, it can dry out quickly. Aim for a baking time of 15-20 minutes at a preheated 400°F oven. To retain juiciness, allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes before cutting into it; this lets the juices redistribute within the meat, ensuring a succulent bite.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
RELATED: 15 Easy Dessert Recipes For One
If you’ve tried this pork chop recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Baked Pork Chop For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 boneless pork chop , ½-inch thick
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a small baking sheet lined with foil.
- Rub olive oil over the pork chop.
- In a small bowl, mix together salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Sprinkle over both sides of pork chops.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
- Remove from oven, cover and let rest for 10 minutes before eating.
Notes
- Be sure to season the pork before cooking. Pork is lean and it is also bland. Seasoning with salt and other spices is essential for enhancing the texture and taste of the meat.
- Do not cook the pork straight from the refrigerator. Remove the pork from the refrigerator about 10 minutes before you are ready to cook it. This will help the pork to cook more evenly.
- Do not overcook the pork. This tip is definitely worth repeating. Overcooked pork is tough, dry, and not worth eating. Follow the cook times in this recipe for the best tasting pork chop. The USDA states that pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 °F (62.8 °C).
- Let the pork rest. After you remove the pork from the oven, cover it and let it rest for 10 minutes or so. This gives you a juicier and more tender piece of meat.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This recipe looks yummy; will try it after buying groceries. 🙂 A couple of questions – Is there any way to delete the pictures (of raw pork chops, etc.) when printing the recipes? And- Is there any way to search for a recipe without scanning through a whole category, such as “Dessert or Dinner”?
Thanks so much for your great recipes.
Hi Shirley, you can print the recipe without pictures by making sure that the box that says “Instruction Images” is unchecked on the Print page. You can search for a particular recipe by using the search box feature which looks like a small magnifying glass in the upper right side of the page.
Wish I had remembered this recipe yesterday. I cooked my pork chops too long. Thanks for the technique and the seasoning ideas!
This pork chop made this way is so good!
This is the second or third time I’ve made this!
Thank you, Jan.
What temp do I preheat the oven to?
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 C).
I made this recipe exactly as written and it was absolutely wonderful. I used a pork loin chop and it took 16 minutes to cook. This is our new “go to” recipe for pork chops. Thank you so much!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks so much for your feedback.
Can some other oil be used in place of olive oil?
Yes, you can use canola or vegetable oil instead.
Bought an assorted pork chop bundle of 4 which fit on my convection toaster oven sheet. Coated them with EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic powder & thyme because I was out of paprika. Baked them for 18 minutes and tented for 10. Then I devoured one and it was amazing. Now I know what my lunches and dinners will be for the next couple of days.
My single pork chop has a bone. Do I need to cook it longer?
Hi Vicki,
You may need to cook if for about 5 minutes or so longer. The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
Baked pork chop for one was perfection! Definitely a keeper!
I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for letting me know.
Enjoy your recipes for one!! Have tried a few and will continue to follow you and keep trying your recipes!!
I’m so happy you are enjoying the recipes, Joyce. Thank you so much for letting me know!