- Season the Pork Chops:
- Pat the pork chops dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the pork chops with half of the salt and pepper.
- Dredge in Flour:
- Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each pork chop in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Brown the Pork Chops:
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork chops to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the pork chops from the skillet and set aside.
- Saute Onions and Garlic:
- In the same skillet, add the sliced onions and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add Mushrooms and Make Gravy:
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle the remaining salt, pepper, and paprika over the mushrooms. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and fresh thyme.
- Deglaze the Pan:
- Pour the chicken or beef broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This will add depth of flavor to the gravy.
- Simmer and Add Pork Chops:
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Return the browned pork chops to the skillet, nestling them into the gravy. Spoon some of the gravy over the pork chops.
- Finish Cooking:
- Cover the skillet with a lid and let the pork chops simmer in the gravy for 15-20 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender. Cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the pork chops.
- Optional: Add Heavy Cream:
- For added richness, stir in the heavy cream during the last few minutes of cooking. This will create a creamy and luxurious gravy.
- Serve:
- Once the pork chops are cooked through and the gravy is thickened to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the smothered pork chops hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
Tips:
- For a thicker gravy, you can mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the simmering gravy until thickened.
- Feel free to customize the recipe by adding bell peppers, celery, or your favorite vegetables to the gravy.
- Serve the smothered pork chops with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Enjoy these delicious and comforting smothered pork chops with your family and friends for a satisfying dinner that’s sure to please everyone’s taste buds!