Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce
Crispy maple bacon pork chops with a creamy dijon sauce that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly crispy pork chops every time. The golden, crispy exterior gives way to juicy, tender pork, and the creamy dijon sauce is irresistible. Refresh your meal with a refreshing watermelon rose cooler on the side. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy crockpot lasagna recipe and Crispy keto zucchini parmesan fritters.
Why This Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy exterior with juicy, tender pork
- Rich, creamy dijon sauce that's better than takeout
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for a cozy fall dinner
What You'll Need for Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- pork chops
- bacon
- maple syrup
- dijon mustard
- heavy cream
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
- thyme
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: additional crispy bacon
📝 Ingredient Notes
- pork chops: Bone-in pork chops work best for this recipe.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast iron skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing and crisping. → See on Amazon
- Meat thermometer — Ensures pork chops are cooked to a safe temperature without overcooking. → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce
- Prepare pork chops: Season both sides of the pork chops with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Let them sit for 10 minutes.
- Cook bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon but keep the grease.
- Cook pork chops: Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup, dijon mustard, and heavy cream. Pour the sauce into the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Serve the pork chops with the creamy dijon sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional crispy bacon, if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce
- Common mistake and fix: The #1 reason this recipe fails is overcooking the pork chops. To prevent this, use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) before removing them from the heat.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy pork chops, pat the pork chops dry with a paper towel before seasoning and cooking.
- Pro tip: To make the sauce even creamier, you can add a tablespoon of butter to the skillet before pouring in the sauce mixture.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
Freezing Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce
Freeze cooked pork chops for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. The texture may be slightly different from the original.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Instead of dijon mustard, you can use whole grain mustard for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: The pork chops can be seasoned and cooked up to 1 day ahead of time. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for an additional 2-3 minutes to reduce and thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality dijon mustard — A key ingredient in the creamy dijon sauce that adds depth of flavor. → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- pork chops
- bacon
- maple syrup
- dijon mustard
- heavy cream
Seasonings
- garlic powder
- salt
- black pepper
- thyme
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- additional crispy bacon
Instructions
- Prepare pork chops: Season both sides of the pork chops with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Let them sit for 10 minutes.
- Cook bacon: In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon but keep the grease.
- Cook pork chops: Add the pork chops to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F (63°C).
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup, dijon mustard, and heavy cream. Pour the sauce into the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
- Serve: Serve the pork chops with the creamy dijon sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional crispy bacon, if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Instead of dijon mustard, you can use whole grain mustard for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead: The pork chops can be seasoned and cooked up to 1 day ahead of time. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thin, simmer it for an additional 2-3 minutes to reduce and thicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked pork chops for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. The texture may be slightly different from the original.
- Make ahead: The sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce FAQs
Yes, you can cook the pork chops in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The sauce can be made on the stovetop as directed.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry pork chops. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork chops reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) before removing them from the heat.
Yes, the sauce can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Reheat in the skillet before serving.
Maple bacon pork chops pair well with <a href='https://eats.lokog.com/easy-crockpot-lasagna-recipe/'>easy crockpot lasagna</a> or a simple side salad.
Yes, cooked pork chops can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Maple Bacon Pork Chops with Creamy Dijon Sauce and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
