Lemon Apricot Pork

Bright lemon, sweet apricot, and savory pork come together in a beautifully comforting one-pan dinner with a glossy, golden sauce and a delicious balance of tangy and sweet.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless pork chops (about 1 inch thick)
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup chicken stock (or white wine)
• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Pat pork chops dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear pork chops for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Stir in chopped apricots, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, Dijon mustard, chicken stock, and thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Return the pork chops to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the pork is cooked through (internal temperature of 145°F / 63°C).
5. Spoon extra sauce over the pork and garnish with fresh thyme or a little extra lemon zest. Serve warm.

Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce.