Description
Delicious Apple Bacon Blue Smothered Pork Chops featuring juicy bone-in pork chops cooked with crispy bacon, cinnamon-spiced apples, tangy balsamic vinegar, and creamy blue cheese for a perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Bacon
- 3 bone-in center cut pork chops
- 6 strips bacon
Fruit and Seasoning
- 2 hard variety apples, cored and diced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dressings and Toppings
- 3 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350º F to prepare for finishing the pork chops with the cheese and bacon toppings.
- Cook Bacon: Place bacon strips in a large cast iron or oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 5-8 minutes, tossing occasionally until the bacon is browned and crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, then crumble or chop into small pieces.
- Prepare Apples: While the bacon cooks, core and dice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle the diced apples with ground cinnamon and toss to evenly coat the apple pieces.
- Sear Pork Chops: Drain most of the bacon grease from the skillet, leaving a thin layer to help cook the pork chops. Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on one side until browned, then flip. Add the cinnamon-coated apples around the pork chops in the skillet and cook an additional 3-4 minutes to soften the apples and cook the other side of the pork chops.
- Add Toppings: Remove the skillet from the heat. Evenly sprinkle the crumbled bacon pieces and blue cheese over the pork chops. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the top to enhance the flavor.
- Finish in Oven: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the pork chops reach full doneness and the blue cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately for a warm, savory dish.
Notes
- Use a hard apple variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for best texture and flavor.
- Bone-in pork chops help retain moisture and improve flavor.
- Cast iron or ovenproof skillet is essential for searing and finishing in the oven.
- Adjust cinnamon quantity based on your preference for sweetness.
- Ensure pork reaches an internal temperature of 145º F for safe consumption.
