Moist Baked Pork Chops

Ingredients

• cold water (4 cups)
• kosher salt (0.25 cup)
• whole black peppercorns (1 tablespoon)
• bay leaf (1 )
• center-cut pork chops (4 (5 ounce))
• packed brown sugar (0.5 cup)
• garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
• paprika (1 teaspoon)
• onion powder (0.5 teaspoon)
• dry mustard powder (0.5 teaspoon)
• kosher salt (0.5 teaspoon)
• freshly ground black pepper (0.25 teaspoon)
• olive oil (1 tablespoon)
• aluminum foil (0 )

Instructions

1. Make the brine: Combine cold water, salt, peppercorns, and bay leaf in a bowl. Place pork chops in a shallow baking dish and pour brine over top. Let sit for 1 to 2 hours.
2. Meanwhile, make the rub: Combine brown sugar, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
4. Remove pork chops from brine, rinse under cold water, and pat dry. Rub pork chops generously on both sides with the seasoning mix. Discard brine.
5. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to the hot skillet. Add pork chops to the hot oil and sear until browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Turn pork chops and place skillet in the preheated oven. Bake until no longer pink in the center, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

(*Nutrition data is approximate and may vary depending on the brand and type of ingredients used.)

• kcal: 309
• fat: 14 g
• sats: 4 g
• carbs: 29 g
• fibre: 1 g
• protein: 17 g
• salt: 5.98 g