How to Cook Thin Pork Chops Without Drying Them Out

How do you cook thin pork chops without drying them out? All too often, pork chops come out dry and tough. But with a few simple tips, you can cook up juicy, tender pork chops every time. Just follow these easy steps to avoid overcooking your pork chops.

Prep Time5

Cook Time7

Total Time12

Course: Dinner, lunch

Cuisine: American

Keyword: 30 minute meal, dinner recipe, restaurant recipe

Servings: Servings

Calories: 251kcal

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kitchen Essentials

Non-stick Pan

Canister Set

Cast Iron

Ingredients

4 pork chops

Marinade (Optional)

1/3 Cup Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice Pineapple Juice, or Lime Juice
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
2 Cloves Garlic Minced
¼ Teaspoon Black pepper

Instructions

Optional Method of Marinading the Pork before cooking.
Mix the marinade ingredients, soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic, and black pepper.
1/3 Cup Soy Sauce, 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice, 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar, 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard, 2 Cloves Garlic, ¼ Teaspoon Black pepper
Add the pork chops to the marinade.
4 pork chops
The ideal time is 6-12 hours. As this will allow the marinade to absorb into the flesh and start to work as a tenderizer. However, if you are short on time. 3-4 hours will still give plenty of time for the flavors to enhance and develop. Even 1 hour of marinating will make a difference.
Proceed with the directions.
Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes and flip the meat browning the other side. At this point you are cooking just until the meat is seared on both sides. Total cook time for browning should not be any longer than 4 minutes.
Next place the pork chops in an oven at medium heat 325 degrees Fahrenheit and bake until they are slightly pink and juicy but still safe to eat. Approximately 3-5 minutes. The safe internal temperature should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Allowing this dish rest for about 5 minutes at room temperature will help the juices stay inside the meat.

Your Own Private Notes

Click here to add your own private notes.

Notes

Step-by-Step: Juicy Stovetop + Oven Method

No marinating Version

This is the most foolproof method for thin pork chops.

Ingredients

Thin pork chops (¼–½ inch thick)
Salt and pepper (or favorite seasoning blend)
1–2 tablespoons oil or butter

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Pat pork chops dry and season generously on both sides.
Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat with oil.
Sear pork chops for 1–2 minutes per side until golden.
Transfer skillet to oven and cook 3–5 minutes, just until the internal temperature reaches 140–145°F.
Remove from oven, tent loosely with foil, and rest 5 minutes before serving.

Resting allows juices to redistribute, keeping the pork moist.

Alternative Cooking Methods

Stovetop-Only Method

Perfect for fast dinners.

Sear 1–2 minutes per side over medium-high heat
Lower heat slightly and cook another 1–2 minutes if needed
Remove at 140–145°F and rest

Air Fryer Thin Pork Chops

Preheat air fryer to 400°F
Lightly oil and season chops
Cook 5–7 minutes, flipping halfway
Rest before serving

Grilling Thin Pork Chops

Preheat grill to medium-high
Grill 1–2 minutes per side
Watch closely and remove early

Thin Pork Chop Cook Time & Temperature Chart

Method	Thickness	Cook Time	Target Temp
Stovetop + Oven	¼–½ inch	6–8 min total	145°F
Stovetop Only	¼–½ inch	4–6 min	145°F
Air Fryer	¼–½ inch	5–7 min	145°F
Grill	¼–½ inch	2–4 min	145°F

Always rest pork chops for 5 minutes after cooking.

Pro Tips for Juicy Thin Pork Chops

Salt ahead of time (even 30 minutes helps retain moisture)
Bring pork closer to room temperature before cooking
Use a meat thermometer — guessing leads to dryness
Don’t skip the rest time
Butter or oil adds moisture and flavor

Grandma-style wisdom. Pull pork off the heat a little early. It finishes cooking while it rests.

Nutrition