How to Make Orange Glazed Pork Chops

This dish is simple and delicious. The orange glaze has a delicate flavor that complements the pork very well. Served over rice, it makes a healthy entree. Add a cup of stir-fried vegetables to the rice and you have a one-dish low cost meal.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 8 (eight) 1/2" thick pork chops (about 2 - 3 lbs)
• Garlic salt
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp. honey mustard
• 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp flour
• 2 cups hot cooked rice

1. This is a great dinner in a hurry. Although the total cooking time is about an hour, there is very little preparation involved. I put the pork chops in the oven as soon as I get home from work and then let them cook while I change clothes and make the transition from work to home. Then it's time to make the glaze and pour over the chops. I also start the rice and set it to simmer. Thirty minutes later the pork chops are baked, the rice is finished, and the glaze ready to be thickened. Another stress-free family dinner on the table!

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Lightly spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray. Arrange pork chops in the dish for as little overlap as possible.

4. Sprinkle pork chops with garlic salt.

5. Bake, uncovered, in oven for 30 minutes.

6. At about 25 minutes, mix the glaze: Stir 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1 tsp. honey mustard, and 1/4 c. packed brown sugar. I just measure and mix this in a one cup measuring cup and stir vigorously with a fork. (Before I put that orange juice carton away, I can't resist pouring myself a little glass of orange juice. Isn't orange juice delicious?)

7. Remove the pork chops from the oven. Pour the glaze over the pork chops, turning and spooning to evenly distribute the glaze.

8. Return dish, still uncovered, to the oven. Continue baking about 30 minutes. (About 25 minutes for thin chops - up to 40 minutes for thick chops) Pork chops will be done when the meat sliced next to the bone has no traces of pink and the juices run clear with no tinges of pink. Be careful not to overcook the pork chops - when overcooked they get dry and then tough. Cooked just right and they are tender and moist.

9. Spray a small saucepan with non-stick spray. Pour the pan drippings and glaze mix into this saucepan. Mix together 1 tablespoon flour and a couple tablespoons of water to make a smooth thin paste. Add this to the saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the glaze bubbles and then thickens.

10. Pour glaze over pork chops. Serve over hot, fluffy rice.

11. If you prefer, you can stir-fry a cup or so of chopped vegetables (carrots, peas, green beans, red peppers, and such ... use frozen vegetables if you are pressed for time) and add them to the rice. This adds a beautiful color to the dish and also turns it into a meal!

12. Makes 4 - 6 servings. Approximately 184 calories and 9.4 g fat per 5 oz of lean pork chop.

Tips & Warnings

• This turned into a frugal gourmet meal for my family. My local Kroger store had pork chops on sale for $.99 a pound. The entire dish was less than $4.00!

Resources

• Please visit the Simple Life website

[southerngirl09]

on 11/6/2009 Saving to favorites your recipe for Orange Glazed Pork Chops. They sound delicious. 5*

[SarahElizabeth]

on 10/19/2009 This looks so tasty! I bet the glaze would work for othe meats, too. 5*

[soanyway]

on 8/27/2009 Love orange in my cooking! These sound wonderful. Thanks! Reco! Pay it forward to all! ;-)

[langleycornwell]

on 5/19/2009 My husband will love these orange glazed pork chops. Thanks for the recipe, 5*s.

[ginafur]

on 4/14/2009 Orange glazed pork chops sounds like a good and cheap meal. Thanks for sharing this recipe.