Juicy, bright and zingy Lemon Pepper Pork Chops are a super simple weeknight supper recipe ready in less than 15 minutes! We prepared our lemon pepper pork chops in a cast iron skillet, but you can also grill or bake this recipe.

Lemon Pepper Pork Chops Recipe

I’ll be honest: when I’m meal planning, I often overlook including any pork dishes. I tend to think only about beef, chicken and seafood, and pork rarely ends up being part of my plans.

However, when I get to the grocery store and see that pork chops are on for a great price, I can’t help but grab some… and then I inevitably get home and have zero clue on what to make with them.

This lemon pepper pork chops recipe is perfect for those occasions! It’s low-prep, only requires a bit of olive oil, lemon juice and lemon pepper seasoning, and is one of those recipes that the whole family will love.

(If you don’t have lemon pepper seasoning, you can use this method to make ranch pork chops, Italian seasoned pork chops, etc.)

The flavor of these pork chops is bright and zingy, with a fresh burst of citrus and a bit of spicy heat from the pepper. Searing the pork chops in a cast iron skillet and then resting them for 3 minutes before serving ensures juicy pork chops with a crunchy bark. (Using a good-quality meat thermometer can help you ensure that you are cooking the pork chops perfectly and avoid overcooking – which will cause your pork chops to dry out.)

You can also grill or bake these lemon pepper pork chops!

To Grill Lemon Pepper Pork Chops:

Instead of adding the oil to your cast iron skillet, brush the pork chops with oil before adding the lemon pepper seasoning.

Grill for 3-4 minutes on each side, until a minimum internal temperature of 145ºF is reached.

To Bake Lemon Pepper Pork Chops:

Use the oil to grease a baking dish. Bake at 400ºF for 20 minutes, flipping once during your cooking time. Remove from oven once an internal temperature of 145ºF is reached.

What to Serve with Lemon Pepper Pork Chops:

Creamy Potato and Pea Salad with Dill
Cucumber Avocado Salad
Roasted Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary
Summery White Bean Salad from Kylee Cooks
Blanched green beans
Brussel Sprout Salad
Ginger Ale Carrots from The Soccer Mom Blog
Easy Scalloped Potatoes from Kylee Cooks

More Delicious Lemon Pepper Recipes:

Crockpot Lemon Pepper Chicken from Persnickety Plates
Lemon Pepper Smoked Salmon from Or Whatever You Do
Lemon Pepper Almonds from Persnickety Plates
Salmon Piccata from Mindees Cooking Obsession
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken from That Girl Cooks Healthy
Veggie Lentil Soup from Veggie Fun Kitchen

Ingredients for Lemon Pepper Pork Chops

Olive Oil, as needed
Pork Chops
Lemon Pepper Seasoning <– grab our recipe for homemade lemon pepper seasoning
Lemon, quartered

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.

Tip: some people swear by tenderizing their pork chops with a meat mallet before cooking. Try it and see if you find it to make a difference!

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

Cast Iron Skillet <– I love the versatility of a good cast-iron pan – you can make everything from eggs to dessert in them and they transition easily from the stove to the oven. This one is pre-seasoned and great for even heating
Sharp Kitchen Knife
Kitchen Tongs
Measuring spoons
Meat Thermometer <– This is the meat thermometer I have been using for the past 6 years – I’ve never had to change a battery and it’s super sturdy and reliable. It was a bit pricey, but unlike the $15 models that you can buy, this one isn’t going to need replacement. It is waterproof and comes with a two-year warranty. (Thermoworks also has a $15 pocket-sized model if you want to try that out first before investing in the MK4.)

How to Make Lemon Pepper Pork Chops

Pat your pork chops dry with paper towel.

Season to your personal preferences with lemon pepper seasoning.

Place the olive oil in the cast iron skillet over medium heat.

Allow the oil to get hot before adding in the pork chops.

Sear the pork chops on one side, about 3-5 minutes, until browned and the pork chops release easily from the skillet.

Flip and continue cooking on the other side until the pork chops reach a minimum internal temperature of 145ºF.

Remove from heat and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to each pork chop. Let rest for 3 minutes before serving.

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Yield: 4 pork chops

Lemon Pepper Pork Chops

Name: Lemon Pepper Pork Chops
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Pork Recipe
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons oil, as needed; 4 pork chops; 3 Tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning; 1 lemon, quartered

Juicy, bright and zingy Lemon Pepper Pork Chops are a super simple weeknight supper recipe ready in less than 15 minutes!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 3 minutes

Total Time 18 minutes

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons oil, as needed
4 pork chops
3 Tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
1 lemon, quartered

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 406Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 2107mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 41g

Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.

These lemon pepper pork chops is one of those recipes the whole family will love. If your kids aren’t huge fans of pepper, you can reduce the seasoning on their pork chops.

For more delicious pork chop recipes, check out our Ranch Pork Chops recipe or our Peach-Glazed Pork Chops recipe.

Lemon Pepper Pork Chops