There is something special about a meal that brings people together, and these French Onion Pork Chops do just that. Juicy, seared pork chops smothered in a rich, caramelized onion sauce and topped with melty provolone cheese make this dish perfect for hosting family and friends.

Whether you are preparing a cozy meal or entertaining guests, this recipe makes it easy to bring people together over a comforting, homemade dish.

A cast iron skillet filled with a bubbling dish of French onion chicken. The dish features browned chicken pieces topped with melted cheese, surrounded by caramelized onions in a rich, dark sauce. A red handle is visible, resting on a wooden trivet.
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Why You Will Want to Make French Onion Pork Chops

  • Simple and Delicious: The recipe uses easy steps and pantry-friendly ingredients.
  • One Pan Meal: Everything cooks in a single skillet for easier cleanup.
  • Deep, Rich Flavor: Caramelized onions and melted cheese create a comforting dish. If you enjoy recipes with similar flavors, you might also love this comforting twist in Cheesy French Onion Soup Chicken Casserole.
  • Perfect for Gatherings: Great for feeding family and friends without stress. For more ideas on effortless hosting, check out Easy Casual Dinner Party Menu Ideas.
  • Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare the dish and turn it low when done, cooking in the oven. Just before you are ready to serve, add the cheese and broil so it gets all warm and melty.

Ingredients You Will Need

Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Image of ingredients for a pork chop recipe: boneless pork chops, olive oil, butter, provolone cheese, onions, beef broth, all-purpose flour, salt & pepper, garlic powder, and dried thyme, all labeled and displayed on a white surface.
  • Yellow Onions: Choose firm onions with papery skins and slice them into half-moon shapes for even cooking. They provide the signature sweet and savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the pork.
  • Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil provides the best flavor. It is used alongside butter to balance the caramelization process.
  • Beef Broth: Choose low-sodium broth to better control seasoning. It provides a deep, savory base for the sauce. Shelf-stable options are available in cans or cartons. If you’re out of beef broth, try one of these 25 Easy Substitutes For Beef Broth In A Slow Cooker.
  • Boneless Pork Chops: Look for chops that are 1 to 1.5 inches thick for the best texture and juiciness. They are the star of the dish, providing a hearty and satisfying base. Bone-in pork chops can be used as substitutes with adjusted cooking times.
  • Herbs: You will need dried thyme and garlic powder.
  • All-Purpose Flour: The flour helps thicken the sauce to create a rich creamy sauce. Cornstarch can be used as a gluten-free alternative. Or explore this handy guide on Rescue: How To Thicken Sauces In A Slow Cooker.
  • Provolone Cheese: Purchase pre-sliced for convenience. It melts into a creamy layer on top of the pork chops.

Before You Get Started

Ingredient Prep

Slice the onions into even half-moon shapes for uniform caramelization.

Pat the pork chops dry before seasoning to ensure a golden sear.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Skipping the thickening step will result in a watery sauce. Stir consistently until it reaches a rich, velvety consistency.

Not caramelizing onions long enough can lead to a lack of depth in flavor. Take the time to let them develop a deep golden color.

Overcrowding the pan may prevent a good sear. Cook pork chops in batches if needed.

How to Make French Onion Pork Chops

This recipe is simple, yet the results are impressive! Follow these steps:

Heat butter and olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and sauté for three to five minutes until softened. Pour in four tablespoons of beef broth and cook on low for ten to twelve minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and tender. Transfer onions to a plate and set aside without cleaning the skillet.

Sliced onions in a black skillet with a red handle, ready for sautéing. The onions are evenly spread across the pan on a white background.
A red-handled skillet containing caramelized onions. The onions are sliced and have a golden-brown color, indicating they are well-cooked. The skillet is placed on a white surface.

Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel. Season both sides with salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder. Reduce heat to medium and add a little more olive oil to the skillet if needed. Sear pork chops for three to four minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Three raw pork chops sprinkled with herbs and pepper, placed on a white cutting board.
Four seasoned pork chops are sizzling in a black skillet with a red handle. The chops are golden brown with visible herbs and pepper, indicating they are well-cooked. The skillet is on a light-colored surface.

Return onions to the skillet, sprinkle with flour, and stir to coat. Cook for one minute, then add the remaining one cup of beef broth. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to boil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Sliced onions are being cooked in a black frying pan with a red handle. The onions are golden brown and partially covered with white flour, suggesting they are in the process of being caramelized or prepared for a dish.
A skillet filled with caramelized onions in a thick brown sauce. The onions are golden and translucent, evenly scattered in the sauce, and the skillet has red handles, set against a white background.

Nestle the pork chops back into the skillet, spooning some sauce over the top. Top each chop with one slice of provolone cheese. Add fresh thyme sprigs if desired. Bake for eight to ten minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Spoon some of the onion sauce over the cheese before serving. Garnish with black pepper or extra thyme if desired.

A cast iron pan with three cooked pork chops smothered in a rich, brown gravy with sautéed onions. The chops are seasoned with herbs and the onions are soft and translucent, surrounded by the savory sauce.

Gina’s Recipe Tips and Variations

  • For deeper flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding the broth.
  • For ultra-tender pork chops, cover the pan with foil when baking in the oven, turn down the heat to 300 degrees, and cook for 30 minutes. Then uncover and add your cheese and broil for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Keto-Friendly: Replace the flour with xanthan gum or a little cornstarch and beef broth mixed together.  You might also enjoy this Southern Keto Collard Greens Recipe as a low-carb side.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftovers: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezing: Freeze cooked pork chops and sauce in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating Leftovers: Cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes for best results. Or you could warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. Note that you will need to add a little beef broth if the sauce seems thick.

A skillet filled with French onion chicken topped with melted cheese and caramelized onions. A wooden spoon drizzles sauce over the dish. The skillet has a red handle and is placed on a white surface.

Biblical Hospitality Reflection

“Biblical hospitality doesn’t start with a guest list. It starts with a willing heart.” – Intentional Hospitality

French Onion Pork Chops may be a simple dish, but genuine hospitality is about more than just food. It’s about welcoming others with an open heart. Jesus often shared meals to minister to others, reminding us that the table is a place for connection and love.

Next time you prepare this dish, consider inviting someone new to your table: a neighbor, a friend in need of encouragement, or even someone from your church family. Sometimes, the simplest invitation can make the most significant difference.

“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” – Romans 12:13

A plate of pork chops topped with melted cheese and garnished with chopped herbs. The dish is served in a rich brown onion gravy, with caramelized onions alongside. A white napkin with black stripes is in the background.

I hope this recipe helps you create memorable moments around your table! If you loved it, please leave a comment below and share your experience.

👉  Who will you invite to your table this week? Let me know in the comments!

Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!

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A cast iron skillet filled with cheesy French onion smothered pork chops, with a wooden spoon drizzling sauce over the top. Slices of onion are visible in the sauce, and the dish is set on a wooden board next to a striped cloth.

Skillet Smothered French Onion Pork Chops

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
French Onion Pork Chops are a savory, cheesy, one-pan meal that’s perfect for family dinners and gatherings. Made with juicy pork chops, caramelized onions, and a rich sauce, this dish brings warmth and flavor to your table. Try this easy, crowd-pleasing recipe today!

Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.

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Ingredients
 

  • 2 yellow onions, peeled, halved, and sliced into half-moon shapes
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 14.5 ounces beef broth, divided
  • 4 pork chops, boneless, 1–1½ inches thick
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 slices provolone cheese
  • Fresh thyme sprigs, optional for garnish

Instructions
 

Preheat Oven

  • Set oven to 400°F (200°C).

Caramelize Onions

  • Heat butter and olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
    3 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Add sliced onions and sauté for 3–5 minutes until softened.
    2 yellow onions
  • Pour in 4 Tbsp of beef stock and cook on low for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and tender.
    14.5 ounces beef broth
  • Transfer onions to a plate and set aside (do not clean the skillet).

Season Pork Chops

  • Pat pork chops dry with a paper towel.
    4 pork chops
  • Season both sides with salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder.
    ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Sear Pork Chops

  • Reduce heat to medium, add a little more olive oil to the skillet if needed.
  • Sear pork chops for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
  • Transfer pork chops to a plate and set aside.

Make Sauce

  • Return onions to the skillet. Sprinkle with flour and stir to coat.
    2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Cook for 1 minute, then add the remaining 1 cup of beef stock.
  • Stir constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to boil. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Assemble & Bake

  • Nestle the pork chops back into the skillet, spooning some sauce over the top.
  • Top each chop with 1 slice of provolone cheese and about ¼ cup shredded Gruyere.
    4 slices provolone cheese
  • Add a few sprigs of fresh thyme to the skillet (optional).
    Fresh thyme sprigs

Bake

  • Place skillet in the oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve

  • Spoon some of the onion sauce over the cheese before serving. Garnish with black pepper or extra thyme if desired.

Notes

Gina’s Recipe Tips and Variations
  • For deeper flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding the broth.
  • For ultra-tender pork chops, cover the pan with foil when baking in the oven, turn down the heat to 300 degrees, and cook for 30 minutes. Then uncover and add your cheese and broil for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Keto-Friendly: Replace the flour with xanthan gum or a little cornstarch and beef broth mixed together. 
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 360kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 36g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 104mg, Sodium: 890mg, Potassium: 687mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 198IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 189mg, Iron: 1mg
Course: Main Dish
Author: Gina Dickson
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gina in the kitchen cooking and image of dishes made by intentional hospitality
A skillet filled with melted cheese, caramelized onions, and savory sauce. A wooden spoon held above the skillet drips sauce onto the cheesy surface, highlighting a rich, hearty dish.