Name: Baked Pork Chops Greek-Style
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 rib pork chops (about 1 inch thick); 2 large potatoes (peeled); 5 garlic cloves; 1/2 lemon; 6 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon dried marjoram ( (can use oregano instead)); 1 teaspoon dried thyme; kosher salt & freshly ground pepper

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In order to cook a juicy pork chop, there is one thing you must do, don't overcook it. Pork chops are a very lean cut of meat that's why they can easily become dry when cooked. And although the best way to cook a pork chop is to either grill it or to pan fry it. That doesn't mean that there aren't other delicious and easier ways to cook a tender pork chop. Like baking it in your oven for example!

And this recipe is how it's done Greek-style. It's another one of our "toss-in-the-pan-and-bake" meals. With soft melt in your mouth potatoes on the sides. And flavored with garlic, lemon, marjoram, and thyme. And that's all the ingredients you need to make it, along with some olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper.

The flavor of dried marjoram and roasted garlic bits are the highlight of this dish. Dried marjoram goes excellent with meat. With a similar flavor to that of dried oregano but even better still.

I recently bought some dried marjoram online after running out of wild Greek oregano (which by the way you can also use instead of marjoram in this recipe). That was after reading an article stating that Ancient Greeks used to say that Goddess Aphrodite smelled like marjoram. That strong and inviting flavor it has! And truth be told, I almost believe it now ?

Best Melt-In-Your Mouth Potatoes

A favorite Greek way of cooking potatoes is adding them along with the meat and bake in the same pan. This way they absorb all the flavors, while they slowly bake and become very soft and mellow. Like it's done in Greek Roast Chicken And Potatoes, or in Slow Cooked Lamb And Potatoes.

And yes crispy roast potatoes may be one of the best sides to serve with meat dishes but they're not a very time-saving option. Plus these soft potatoes that are cooked with the meat don't need any sauce on top as they're already very flavorful on their own.

How Long To Bake Pork Chops In The Oven

For medium-sized pork chops that are about 1-inch thick 30-40 minutes in a well-preheated oven, it is just the right amount of time to bake juicy and tender pork chops. Keep these tips in mind when cooking pork chops in oven...

The oven's temperature should be high enough at least 230°C / 446°F so the pork chops sear on the outside when they get in the oven.
And that's also the reason the oven has to be well preheated.
Always add some acidity (like wine or citrus juice) to help tenderize the meat while it bakes.
You may also use a dutch oven to bake them in so they'll be even more tender and juicy. But you won't get that nice brown color on top.
If you like precision, you can use an instant-read thermometer and be 100% sure that your pork chop is neither over or undercooked. The temperature should read 62°C / 145°F.
Serve right away. Pork chops become dry while they sit.

SERVE WITH ⬇

Serve these delicious baked pork chops with a refreshing Greek Salad, or a Cleansing Green Salad (what we usually serve with meat in Greece). Or a traditional Greek Dip like Tzatziki, Whipped Feta Dip (Tirokafteri), or even this Easy Eggplant Dip.

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