Savory Smothered Pork Chops with Bacon & Mushroom Recipe

Succulent smothered pork chops with a rich bacon and mushroom cream sauce promise a comforting meal that melts in your mouth.

Layers of flavor burst through each tender bite, creating a symphony of savory goodness.

Crispy bacon bits add a salty crunch that perfectly complements the juicy meat.

Fresh thyme weaves its aromatic magic, lifting the entire dish with subtle herbal notes.

Southern-style cooking meets gourmet elegance in this irresistible recipe that feels like a warm embrace.

Creamy mushroom sauce blankets the pork chops, ensuring every forkful is packed with decadent deliciousness.

Flavor Twists for Smothered Pork Chops with Bacon

• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Replace flour with almond flour or coconut flour, use bone-in pork chops for extra fat, and swap chicken broth for bone broth to maintain low-carb profile.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or unsweetened almond milk, use ghee instead of bacon fat for cooking, and ensure all ingredients are dairy-free.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Swap pork chops with thick-cut portobello mushrooms, use vegetable broth, replace bacon with smoked tempeh or plant-based bacon bits, and follow original sauce preparation method.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use cornstarch or arrowroot powder instead of wheat flour for thickening, choose gluten-free chicken broth, and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.

Serving Suggestions for Pork Chop Dinner

• Rustic Family Dinner Delight: Serve these smothered pork chops over creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Elegant Dinner Party Plating: Arrange pork chops on a white rectangular plate, drizzle sauce artfully, and garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for a restaurant-style presentation.
• Hearty Side Companion: Pair with roasted asparagus or a crisp green salad to balance the rich, savory flavors of the dish and add a fresh vegetable element.
• Comfort Food Feast: Accompany with crusty bread to mop up the luxurious thyme cream sauce, ensuring no delicious drop goes to waste.

Best Storage Tips for Pork Chops with Sauce

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled pork chops and sauce to a freezer-safe container. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing mushrooms as they can become mushy.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally and cover to retain moisture. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of mushrooms?

Yes, you can substitute button mushrooms with cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms for varied flavor and texture.

• Is it okay to use bone-in pork chops?

Absolutely! Bone-in pork chops work great and can provide more flavor, just adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they’re fully cooked.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Replace regular flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when creating the sauce to make the dish gluten-free.

• What if I don't have fresh thyme?

You can use dried thyme instead, but use about one-third the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.

Why Smothered Pork Chops with Bacon Are Delicious

• Savor Flavor-Packed Comfort: This smothered pork chop recipe delivers an explosion of rich, hearty flavors with crispy bacon, tender mushrooms, and a luxurious cream sauce that will make your taste buds dance.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Eliminate multiple dish cleanup by cooking everything in a single skillet, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal kitchen effort and maximum deliciousness.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable for various dietary preferences, you can swap chicken broth for vegetable broth, use different herbs, or adjust seasoning to match your family's taste without compromising the dish's core delightful essence.
• Impress Without Stress: Despite looking sophisticated, this recipe requires basic cooking skills, making it perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their meal game without complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Ingredients for Pork Chops with Bacon and Thyme Cream Sauce

• Pork Chops: Tender cuts of meat that form the main protein of this hearty dish.
• Bacon: Crispy pork product that adds rich, smoky flavor to the recipe.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural taste of the meat.
• Fresh Thyme Leaves: Aromatic herb that provides a subtle earthy and slightly minty note to the dish.
• Minced Garlic: Pungent ingredient that adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.

• Chicken Broth: Liquid base that helps create a flavorful and smooth sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Rich dairy product that gives the sauce a luxurious and creamy texture.
• Flour: Thickening agent used to create a smooth and velvety sauce consistency.
• Olive Oil: Cooking fat used to prevent sticking and add a mild flavor.
• Mushrooms: Earthy vegetable that provides additional texture and umami flavor to the dish.

How to Prepare Smothered Pork Chops with Cream Sauce

Step 1: Sizzle Bacon Bites

Slice bacon into small, mouth-watering pieces.

Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and cook bacon until perfectly crisp.

Transfer bacon to a separate plate, keeping the delectable bacon fat in the pan.

Step 2: Sear Succulent Pork Chops

Generously season pork chops with salt and pepper.

In the same skillet with bacon fat, crank up the heat to high-medium.

Cook pork chops for 4 minutes on each side, creating a beautiful golden-brown crust.

Midway through cooking, lower the heat to medium.

Remove pork chops and set aside.

Step 3: Mushroom Magic

Toss sliced mushrooms and minced garlic into the skillet.

If the pan seems dry, splash in a bit of olive oil.

Sprinkle with salt and fresh thyme leaves.

Sauté on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms become tender and release their juicy goodness.

Dust flour evenly over the mushrooms and stir to combine.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

Pour chicken broth into the pan and increase heat to bring to a boil.

Continuously stir to create a silky smooth sauce.

Add heavy cream and blend until luxuriously creamy.

Reduce heat to low.

Step 5: Reunite and Simmer

Return pork chops and crispy bacon to the skillet.

Cover and simmer on low heat until pork chops are perfectly cooked through.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Plate the pork chops and generously top with the mushroom and bacon mixture.

Sprinkle additional fresh thyme leaves for a burst of herbal freshness.

Tips for Flavorful Pork Chops and Cream Sauce

• Cut bacon into smaller pieces before cooking to ensure even crispiness and easier distribution throughout the dish.
• Use high-medium heat for pork chops to create a beautiful golden-brown crust while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
• Sprinkle flour evenly over mushrooms to create a smooth, thickening base for the cream sauce without lumps.
• Add extra fresh thyme leaves just before serving to enhance the aromatic flavor and provide a bright, fresh garnish.
• Reduce heat and cover the pan when returning pork chops to the sauce, allowing them to cook gently and absorb the rich, creamy flavors.

Smothered Pork Chops with Bacon, Mushrooms, and Fresh Thyme Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3 or 4 1x

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Description

Southern comfort meets gourmet elegance in these irresistible Smothered Pork Chops, where crispy bacon, earthy mushrooms, and a silky thyme cream sauce elevate a classic dish. Home cooks will savor each rich, hearty bite of this soul-warming meal that promises pure culinary satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) pork loin chops (boneless)
• 6 strips bacon (uncooked)

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms (sliced)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 5 sprigs fresh thyme (leaves)
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) flour (gluten-free flour for gluten-free version)
• 2/3 cup (158 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• salt and pepper

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Instructions

1. Dice bacon into bite-sized pieces and render fat in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer bacon to a separate plate, reserving the rendered fat.
2. Season pork chops generously with salt and pepper. Sear in the same skillet over high-medium heat for 4 minutes per side, creating a golden-brown crust. Reduce heat midway and cook until just before fully done. Remove pork chops from the pan.
3. In the same skillet, sauté sliced mushrooms and minced garlic, adding olive oil if needed. Sprinkle with salt and fresh thyme leaves. Cook for 5 minutes until mushrooms release moisture and soften. Dust evenly with flour, stirring to coat completely.
4. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, increasing heat to create a bubbling sauce. Whisk continuously to prevent lumps. Stream in heavy cream, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and velvety. Lower heat to a gentle simmer.
5. Return pork chops and crispy bacon to the skillet. Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ensuring pork is fully cooked through.
6. Plate the pork chops, generously spooning the creamy mushroom and bacon sauce over the top. Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Chop bacon into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking and crispy texture throughout the dish.
• Retain bacon fat in the pan for cooking pork chops, adding extra flavor and helping create a perfect golden-brown sear.
• Pat pork chops dry before seasoning to help achieve a better crust and more intense flavor absorption.
• Start with high heat for searing, then reduce to medium to prevent burning while ensuring thorough cooking.
• Allow mushrooms to release their natural juices and cook until they start to caramelize for deeper flavor profile.
• Sprinkle flour evenly and stir continuously to prevent lumps and create a smooth, silky cream sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3 or 4
• Calories: 610 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg