This Easy Pineapple Pork Chops recipe transforms ordinary pork chops into a delicious tropical delight in just 20 minutes. The combination of sweet pineapple, savory garlic, and a touch of honey creates a mouthwatering sauce that perfectly complements the tender pork. It’s an ideal dinner solution for busy weeknights when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Effortless: From start to finish in just 20 minutes – perfect for those evenings when you’re short on time but still want a homemade meal.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweet pineapple and honey create a beautiful contrast with the savory pork – it’s like a mini vacation for your taste buds!
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, meaning fewer dishes to wash and more time to enjoy your evening.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike love the sweet and savory combination, making this a great option for family dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Boneless Pork Chops: The star of the show that becomes incredibly tender and flavorful when cooked with the pineapple sauce.
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the pork without overwhelming the dish.
- Olive Oil: Creates that perfect sear on the pork chops and prevents sticking.
- Butter: Adds richness to the sauce and helps create a velvety texture.
- Garlic Cloves: Provides a wonderful aromatic base that infuses throughout the dish.
- White Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the sauce as it caramelizes.
- Pineapple Cubes: The tropical hero that tenderizes the pork while creating a naturally sweet sauce. Fresh is best, but canned will work too if drained well.
- Honey: Enhances the natural sweetness of the pineapple and helps create a beautiful glaze on the pork.
- Fresh Cilantro and Green Onions: Adds a pop of color and freshness to the finished dish.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to customize this tropical delight? Here are some delicious variations to try:
- Spicy Twist: Add a dash of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the sauce for a sweet-heat combination.
- Asian-Inspired: Include a tablespoon of soy sauce and a teaspoon of ginger to give the dish an Asian flair.
- Extra Veggie Boost: Toss in some bell peppers or snap peas during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Pineapple Swap: Try using mango chunks instead of pineapple for a different tropical flavor profile.
How to Make Easy Pineapple Pork Chops
Step 1: Season and Prepare
Season your pork chops generously with sea salt and black pepper on both sides. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Start with Aromatics
Add the sliced onion and crushed garlic to the hot skillet and sauté for about 2 minutes until they become fragrant and start to soften.
Step 3: Cook the Pork Chops
Place the seasoned pork chops in the skillet alongside the onions and garlic. Let them cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until they develop a beautiful golden crust.
Step 4: Flip and Make Space
Push the pork chops to one side of the skillet and flip them to cook the other side. The empty space you’ve created is where the magic happens next!
Step 5: Create the Sauce
Add the butter and pineapple chunks to the empty space in the skillet. As they heat up, stir them around to create a sauce, then spoon this mixture over the pork chops.
Step 6: Finish Cooking
Let the pork chops continue cooking in the pineapple sauce for another 3-5 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Step 7: Add Honey and Rest
Reduce the heat to medium, stir in the honey to create a luxurious glaze, then remove the skillet from heat. Let everything rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the meat to reabsorb its juices.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Don’t Overcook: Pork chops can quickly become tough if overcooked. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach just 145°F for perfect tenderness.
- Choose the Right Thickness: Medium-thickness pork chops (about 3/4 to 1 inch) work best for this recipe, cooking through without drying out.
- Proper Searing: Make sure your pan is hot before adding the pork chops to get that perfect golden crust.
- Rest is Key: Don’t skip the 5-minute rest at the end – it makes a huge difference in juiciness and flavor distribution.
- Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer before adding the honey.
How to Serve
These pineapple pork chops are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving options:
Perfect Pairings:
- Serve over fluffy white rice or quinoa, which will soak up all that delicious sauce.
- For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice works beautifully.
- Steamed broccoli or green beans provide a nice color contrast and healthy balance.
Garnish Ideas:
- Sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro and sliced green onions for a pop of color and freshness.
- Add extra pineapple chunks on top for more tropical flair.
- A squeeze of lime juice just before serving brightens all the flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Allow the pork chops and sauce to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, with the flavors actually developing and improving overnight.
Freezing
These pork chops freeze surprisingly well! Let them cool completely, then place in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. The sauce helps keep the meat moist during freezing and reheating.
Reheating
For best results, reheat gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water over medium-low heat until warmed through. Alternatively, microwave at 50% power with a damp paper towel covering the dish to retain moisture.
FAQs
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Can I use bone-in pork chops instead of boneless?
Absolutely! Bone-in pork chops work wonderfully in this recipe and often have more flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly – they typically need an extra 2-3 minutes to cook through properly. The bone actually helps prevent overcooking, so it’s a great option if you’re newer to cooking pork.
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Is fresh pineapple necessary, or can I use canned?
While fresh pineapple provides the best flavor and texture, canned pineapple chunks work perfectly fine in this recipe. Just be sure to drain them well, and if they’re packed in syrup rather than juice, you might want to reduce the honey slightly to balance the sweetness.
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My sauce seems too thin. How can I thicken it?
If you’d like a thicker sauce, there are a couple of easy solutions. You can cook it down longer to reduce it naturally, or mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir this mixture into the sauce during the final cooking stage. Let it simmer for a minute to thicken.
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Can I make this recipe with chicken instead of pork?
Definitely! This sauce works beautifully with boneless chicken breasts or thighs. For chicken breasts, pound them to even thickness first to ensure even cooking. The cooking time will be similar, but always use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
Final Thoughts
These Easy Pineapple Pork Chops bring together simple ingredients to create a dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The combination of juicy pork with the sweet-tangy pineapple sauce creates a meal that feels special enough for company but easy enough for a Tuesday night. Give this 20-minute wonder a try next time you’re craving something a little different from your usual dinner rotation – your taste buds (and your family) will thank you!
PrintEasy Pineapple Pork Chops Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Tropical
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These easy Pineapple Pork Chops are a delicious main course featuring tender boneless pork chops cooked in a skillet with sweet and tangy pineapple, honey, garlic, and onions. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal full of tropical flavors and topped with fresh cilantro. Serve with rice or quinoa for a hearty, balanced dinner.
Ingredients
Pork Chops
- 4 boneless pork chops (medium size)
- Sea salt, to season
- Ground black pepper, to season
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
Sautéed Vegetables
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 1 small white onion, peeled and sliced
Pineapple Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups pineapple, cut in cubes
- 2 tablespoons honey
Garnish & Serving
- Fresh cilantro and green onions, for garnish
- Cooked rice or quinoa, for serving
Instructions
- Season the Pork Chops: Generously season both sides of the pork chops with sea salt and ground black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Once hot, add the sliced onions and crushed garlic cloves. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
- Cook Pork Chops (Side One): Place the seasoned pork chops into the skillet with the sautéed onions and garlic. Let them cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes on one side until they develop a golden crust.
- Cook Pork Chops (Side Two): Gently push the pork chops to one side of the skillet to create some space, then carefully flip each pork chop. Continue cooking on the other side while preparing the sauce.
- Prepare the Pineapple Sauce: In the empty part of the skillet, add the unsalted butter and pineapple cubes. Let the pineapple cook briefly so it releases its juices. Stir occasionally to mix the butter and pineapple, forming a sauce infused with the onion and garlic flavors.
- Coat and Simmer: Gradually stir the pineapple sauce over the pork chops, so they’re coated evenly. Continue to cook everything for another 3-5 minutes, or until the pork chops register an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Add Honey and Finish: Reduce the heat to medium, then drizzle in the honey. Mix thoroughly so the honey dissolves into the sauce, adding a sweet, glossy finish. Remove from the heat and let the pork chops rest in the pan for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Serve the pork chops hot, topped with the pineapple sauce. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and green onions, and pair with rice or quinoa. Optionally, add extra pineapple chunks or slices for garnish.
Notes
- Allow leftovers to cool down before storing.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To freeze, cool completely and place in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
- Reheat gently to avoid drying out the pork.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of honey or pineapple to your taste preference.
- For extra color and flavor, lightly brown the pineapple cubes before adding honey.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pork chop with sauce
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 74mg