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If you’re looking for a flavorful fall dinner recipe, look no further! This cinnamon apple pork chops with sweet bourbon glaze recipe will not disappoint. It will leave you wishing pork chops were bigger, so make sure you cook up enough!

From the tart cinnamon Granny Smith apples, to the sweetness of the bourbon brown sugar sauce, this is a fall time recipe that packs a burst of delicious flavor. 

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Best Pork Chop Recipe Tips

What Apples Pair Nicely With Pork Chops?

There are a lot of delicious cinnamon apple pork chop recipes out there.

Most recipes recommend using either the Gala apple, or Honeycrisp for the perfect tart to sweet ratio. I on the other hand, used Green Smith apples for this recipe.

Otherwise known as the Granny Smith apple, these green smith apples are very tart. When pairing cinnamon apple pork chops with the sweet bourbon glaze, I think the tartness of the green smith apple provides a delicious pop of flavor.

This burst of tartness is perfect for balancing the sticky sweetness of the bourbon brown sugar glaze. 

How to Make Apple Pork Chops With Cinnamon

I usually like to start by making my glaze first.

If you make your glaze before cooking the thin boneless pork chops, you won’t risk your chops cooling off while you wait for your glaze to simmer. While your sweet bourbon glaze is simmering, you can begin cooking the pork chops in a hot cast iron pan.

I typically do 4-5 minutes per side on medium heat. While you’re waiting on your pork chops, you can diced up your green smith apple.

Cut up the apple into small little cubes. Once your pork is cooked through, you can remove from the pan and set aside. In the same cast iron pan, add your chopped green smith apples.

Turn the heat to low and stir the apples around in the leftover juices in the pan. Sprinkle in some ground cinnamon and cook until the apples are slightly softened, about 2 minutes.

Once the green smith apples are done, it is time to prep your plate!

Place a boneless pork chop on a plate, followed by some cooked cinnamon apples. Then pour a generous amount of the sweet bourbon glaze on top and serve immediately. 

How to Cook Thin Boneless Pork Chops on the Stove

There are a variety of ways to cook boneless pork chops. Some prefer to start with pan-searing the pork chops in a cast iron skillet and then transfer to the oven for additional cook time. For this recipe, I only used my cast iron skillet on the stove. 

Start with a good 2-3 tbsp of butter in your skillet. Yes, butter!

Butter makes everything better. I like to swirl it around to fully coat the pan. Once the skillet is good and hot, add your thin boneless pork chops.

Sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper and cook uncovered for about 4 minutes per side. If there is quite a bit of fat remaining on the edges of the pork chop, you can use the tongs to hold it up on its side for a minute to help cook off some of the excess. 

How to Know When Pork Chops Are Fully Cooked. 

Typically muscle meats should be cooked until they reach the safe internal temperature of 145°F using a digital thermometer.

At this temperature, your pork chop might still have a slightly pink hue. While it is still okay to have a bit of pink in your thin boneless pork chops, I prefer for it to look a little more white/tan. Therefore, I cook until it reaches about 155°F.

However, be careful not to overcook your pork chops, as you want to retain the flavor and avoid dryness.  

How Do You Make Bourbon Glaze?

Even though bourbon glaze sounds fancy, it’s relatively quick and easy to make! The trick is just making sure you have bourbon on hand, of course. 

Bourbon glaze Ingredients

• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup bourbon
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp. honey 
• 2 Tsp. ground ginger 
• 1 Tsp. salt

I’ve been really into infusing bourbon into my recipes lately.

With fall around the corner, there is something warm and sophisticatedly delicious about a bourbon glaze.

When I crafted this sweet bourbon glaze, it took a little trial and error in terms of how long to let it boil. The consistency will appear too thin while cooking, so you might think you need to continue boiling longer, but trust me!

I learned from experience that once it starts to cool it thickens into a very hard sticky, caramel-like texture. So be very careful not to overcook the sweet bourbon glaze. 

Get your best medium-sized sauce pan and turn your burner to medium-low.

Add in the packed brown sugar, followed by the bourbon and stir. When dissolved together, add Worcestershire sauce, honey, ground ginger and salt.

Whisk rapidly, and bring to a brief boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes. Pour over cooked pork chops, let stand for a couple minutes and serve! 

Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops Recipe with Sweet Bourbon Glaze

I hope that these tips were helpful as you prepare to make this recipe! Let’s get to it.

What sides should I serve with Cinnamon Apple Pork Chops with Sweet Bourbon Sauce?

This is such a flavorful dish in itself, that I feel simple sides are best to pair with your cinnamon apple pork chops with sweet bourbon sauce. Let the chops speak the loudest!

The last time I made this recipe, I cooked up some delicious roasted tri color carrots with maple honey glaze. It was the perfect pairing.

You could also add some tasty garlic whipped potatoes, or even roasted butternut squash with goat cheese.

If you’re looking for a lower caloric side, a spinach and arugula salad with walnuts and dried cranberries could be a great option! But don’t forget to drizzle the vinaigrette dressing! 

Cinnamon Apple Pork Chop Recipe

Pork Chop Ingredients 

• 4-6 Thin Boneless Pork Chops
• 1 Green Granny Smith Apple (diced)
• 1 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon
• 3 Tbsp. Salted Butter for the Pan
• Dash of Table Salt
• Dash of Ground Black Pepper

SWEET BOURBON GLAZE Ingredients

• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup bourbon
• 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 2 Tsp. ground ginger
• 1 Tsp. salt

Recipe Directions

1. Start by making the sweet bourbon glaze. Get a medium-sized sauce pan and turn your burner to medium-low. Add in the packed brown sugar, followed by the bourbon and stir.
2. Once dissolved together, add Worcestershire sauce, honey, ground ginger and salt. Whisk rapidly, and bring to a brief boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes while preparing the chops.
3. Place 2-3 Tbsp. of butter in a cast iron skillet and swirl it around to coat the pan.
4. Place your boneless pork chops in the hot skillet and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Let the first side cook for roughly 4 minutes and then flip the chops and cook another 4 minutes, or until they have reach the internal temperature of 155°F using a digital thermometer.
5. While the pork chops are cooking, dice your green smith apple into small cubes.
6. Once the pork chops are cooked through, remove from the pan and set aside. Add your cubed green apples to the pan and lower the temperature to med-low. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon and stir until the apples are slightly soft.
7. Plate your pork chops and top with some cinnamon apples followed by a generous drizzle of sweet bourbon glaze. Serve immediately and enjoy!

You’ll Also Enjoy…

I hope this cinnamon apple pork chop recipe is a new family favorite! Please let me know if you enjoy it! Also, what kind of sides did you serve this recipe with?

If you’re looking for more fall inspired recipes, make sure to check these out next.

• Decadent Coconut Pecan German Chocolate Pie Recipe
• Healthy Roasted Butternut Squash With Goat Cheese
• Simple Salted Caramel Baked Apple Recipe

You can also visit my recipe archives here.

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~Sarah