Ranch seasoning is a staple in many households, and it's no surprise that this creamy ranch pork chops recipe has been added to the family favorites list. This easy and delicious dish only takes about 30 minutes to make and serves up six hearty portions!
If this is the 10th pork chop recipe you've looked at, stop looking and make this recipe. And while this recipe has over 180,000 shares, and everyone raves about it, a lot of my easy dinner recipes are iconic.
Contents
🌟 Why this recipe works
As far as dinner recipes go, this one-pan dish is easy, delicious, and ultra-creamy. For families of 4 or 5, this is an affordable family dinner thanks to the low cost of pork compared to similar beef cuts.
This recipe is very similar to my creamy tuscan chicken alfredo and lemon chicken recipe, both very affordable main dishes. And you could easily substitute pork for chicken in this recipe.
Pork can be tricky! Unlike beef, which is often cooked to medium or medium-rare and super tender, pork should be fully cooked. With pork, you have to get it just right to ensure the cuts are juicy and tender.
The easiest way to make no-fail pork chops is with a cream sauce. Not only does the creamy ranch sauce taste amazing and pair perfectly with pork, but it also helps the pork stay moist, juicy, and tender all at the same time.
Ultimately this creamy ranch pork chop recipe is popular thanks to its pleasant savory taste, meaty flavor, and creamy texture. And the fact it is a super easy, one-pan dish, and affordable factors into it.
OH, and in case you're wondering, you can turn this into a creamy slow cooker pork chop recipe!
🍽 Key Ingredients
Meat: six 1" thick-cut boneless pork chops.The best pork cuts include boneless pork chops, loin chops, and center-cut pork chops.
Seasoning: flavor is key to make this pork chops recipe so, I use my homemade ranch seasoning. It is very similar to the store-bought hidden valley ranch seasoning but tastes better in every way.
Substitutions
Seasoning
If you're short on time, a ranch dressing mix or store-bought ranch packet works fine.
Cream Cheese
Not a fan of cream cheese? Try using sour cream or mushroom soup same ratio instead.
🔪 How to make Creamy Ranch Pork Chops
Thanks to my step-by-step instructions and cooking tips this recipe is easy to make. You'll have the fantastic recipe prepped, cooked, and on the table in 30 minutes.
Preparation
Step 1
Start by patting your chops dry! Dry meat is essential; it really helps brown the meat.
Step 2
Sprinkling them liberally with salt and pepper. Season liberally as both salt and pepper are absent from the sauce. (Note 2)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Put your cast iron skillet on medium-high heat and melt 8 tablespoons of butter in it. You can also substitute this with olive oil if you prefer.
Step 2
Place the pork chops in the melted butter and sear them for about 4-5 minutes.
Step 3
When the pork chops reach around 135 degrees Fahrenheit or 57 degrees Celsius, they are done. Remove and let these golden pork chops rest while you continue. Reduce heat to medium.
Step 4
Next, pour in the chicken stock. You'll need this to deglaze the skillet. While this is still going on, use a spoon to scrape the skillet's sides to ensure that you get all the delicious brown bits. Continue until sufficiently deglazed. (Note 3)
Step 5
Add cream cheese and heavy cream. You'll need to stir the resulting mixture till it's homogenous and smooth.
Step 6
Then add in the homemade ranch seasoning and continue stirring until it also combines with the ingredients. This is the cream sauce.
Step 7
Finally, lower the heat another notch and reintroduce the pork chops into the cream sauce in the cast iron skillet.
Cover it, leave for about 5-10 minutes, and check to see if everything is satisfactorily done. You're aiming for a final internal temperature of 145°F or 63 °C. (Note 4)
💭 Cooking Tips
Drying
When you sear meat, including pork chops, pat dry with a paper towel to absorb surface moisture. If meat is not dry, it will not sear properly and turn grey rather than golden brown.
Searing
When searing pork in your cast iron skillet, leave at least 1 inch between each pork chop. And do not move the pork chops around during the searing process. This will disrupt the sear!
Sauce Thickness
You'll need your sauce thick to complement the meat properly, so if it hasn't reached that point when the pork chops are done, leave the heat on and take the pork chops out.
Continue until you get the thickness you need. This is common practice for any sauce. Simmering reduces moisture, which in turn thickens the sauce.
📖 Recipe Variations
Chicken - If you're not a pork fan (or follow a kosher diet), you can easily swap the pork chops for boneless chicken. I suggest breasts. They'll taste just as good as pork chops. Call it by the eye on this one, though.
Seasoning and vegetables - adding onion powder to this recipe will help to give your pork more flavor. Also, adding pre-cooked green beans to the sauce can do wonders for variety.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cook pork so it doesn't dry out?
The easiest way to avoid dry pork, cook it in a cream sauce. A cream sauce made with cream cheese, sour cream, or heavy cream is perfect for keeping pork moist, juicy, and enhancing the flavor.
Can pork chops be a little pink in the middle?
Yes, a pork chop with a hint of pink in the middle is safe to consume. The USDA finally updated its official recommendation for pork. Previously they advised pork to be cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit while professional chefs aim for 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I use a Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can! Even though this is cooked in a pan, it can still be made in an instant pot, crock pot, or slow cooker. The outcome does vary, but overall these ranch pork chops come out great regardless of the method.
Follow the instructions outlined in this recipe but sear the pork chops on high heat before adding them to the slow cooker.
💨 Easy Meal Prep
If you are doing meal prep, make sure your pork chops have cooled off appropriately before storing. Once cool, store in an airtight container like the Snapware 6 cup container, airtight, leak-proof, freezer safe, dishwasher safe, and microwave safe.
Place the pork chops on the bottom and smother them with sauce. Store in the fridge for 4-5 days (reheat in microwave) or freeze for up to 3 months (unthaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours, reheat in microwave).
Meal prep storage is easy! One pork chop per serving, planning out amounts is easy. However, I'll admit I've eaten more than my share on several occasions. Another option for meal prep is my easy pulled pork recipe. My kids love it in their 15 minute pulled pork tacos!
Looking for sauces to add to your pork chops? Check out my collection of best creamy sauces for pork chops.
🥗 Side Dishes for Creamy Pork Chops
I often stick to classic side dishes like green beans or green vegetable mix with a recipe like a ranch pork chops. However, I've also made these side dish recipes on several occasions and find they work well with this creamy ranch pork recipe's flavor profile.
There has never been a better culinary match than the combination of meat and vegetables. And hearing your pork chops with this steamed vegetable recipe will remind you why this is the case!
Complete with the mellow taste of garlic powder spice (I prefer this to cloves garlic) and an oil sauce that brings it together. This green recipe is a great way to get your carnivore husband or child to broaden their horizons a bit.
Air Fryer Whole Roasted Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a versatile ingredient that pairs perfectly with our creamy ranch pork chops. Plus, air frying is an extremely easy, no-fuss way to prepare a side dish.
Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
This Side will surprise you! Cauliflower rice with a hint of lime and cilantro pairs perfectly with my creamy ranch sauce. I love mixing the cauliflower rice with the sauce; it truly is a perfect match for this recipe.
Mashed Potatoes
I feel like this is obvious, but I'll say it anyway. You can't go wrong with whole mashed potatoes with cream cheese. Whenever you make a creamy gravy, mashed potatoes are perfect.
🍳Related Pork Chop Recipes
When it comes to easy, delicious and affordable pork chop recipes, I've got you covered.
👪 Serving Size
Easy recipes like my creamy ranch pork chops serve a whole family of 4 to 5 without breaking the bank. This is one of my family's favorite meals, and I find I always make extra sauce.
Looking for cheap and easy meals? Learn more about easy cheap dinner ideas in my 50 best budget-friendly recipes.
🎥 Watch how to make it
📋 Recipe
Creamy Ranch Pork Chops
Ingredients
- 6 thick cut boneless pork chops (Note 1)
- 8 ounces full fat cream cheese - softened and cut into 8 pieces
- 8 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons ranch seasoning
- sea salt - apply liberally
- ground black pepper - apply liberally
Instructions
- Start by patting your chops dry and sprinkling them very liberally with salt and pepper. Season liberally as both salt and pepper are absent from the sauce. (Note 1)
- In a large skillet, heat 8 tablespoon of the butter over medium high heat until melted.
- Sear each chop for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown. When you've achieved a satisfactory golden brown crisping, turn the pork chops over and sear the other side as well. Note X
- When the pork chops reach around 135°F or 57 °C degrees they are done. Remove and let these golden pork chops rest while you continue. Reduce heat to medium.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze pan. Scrape the pan to get all of the yummy browned bits.
- Add cream cheese, and heavy cream and stir continuously until smooth.
- Add homemade ranch seasoning and stir until combined.
- Reduce heat to low, add chops back into pan and cover. Simmer for 10 minutes or until chops reach an internal temp of at least 145 degrees F.
Video
Notes
- Best Cuts of Pork include boneless pork chops, loin chops, and center cut, bone-in chops.
- Dry the pork chops! When you sear meat, including pork chops, pat dry with a paper towel to absorb surface moisture. If meat is not dry, it will not sear properly and turn grey rather than golden brown.
- Deglaze the cast iron skillet. We want to capture all of the flavors from the searing process. This is pure gold; the flavor from deglazing a pan is unmatched.
- Timing is everything! This recipe is a guide. If your pork chops are 1", they will take far longer than pork chops that are ½" thick. As long as your mindful, this will turn out wonderful.
- Grab the best Ranch Seasoning Recipe here!
Theresa
Absolutely scrumptious!!! Recommend some cauli mash with it. Comfort food at its best!!!
K Wilkins
These pork chops are amazing.
Nancy
DELICIOUS! And the recipe was so simple to put together.