Pork Chops with Cranberry-Maple Pan Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 1" Thick Bone-in Pork Chops (~2.5 lbs)
• 2 Tsp Chopped Fresh Thyme
• Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1.5 Tbs Olive Oil
• 1 Cup Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
• 1/2 Cup Lower-Salt Chicken Broth
• 1/2 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
• 2 Tsp Cider Vinegar
• 2 Tsp Dijon Mustard

Preparation

• Pat the pork dry and season with 1 tsp. of the thyme, 1-1/4 tsp. salt, and 3/4 tsp. pepper.
• Heat the oil in a heavy-duty 12-inch skillet over medium heat until shimmering hot. Add the pork chops and cook without moving until the pork is browned around the edges and easily releases when you lift a corner, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the pork chops and continue to cook until firm to the touch and an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into a chop close to but not touching the bone registers 140°F, about 9 minutes.
• Transfer the chops to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Add the cranberries, chicken broth, maple syrup, cider vinegar, mustard, and the remaining 1 tsp. thyme to the skillet and raise the heat to medium high. Cook, whisking to incorporate the mustard and any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until the cranberries soften and the liquid has reduced to a saucy consistency, about 7 minutes.
• Return the pork chops and any accumulated juice to the skillet, turning to coat both sides. Serve the pork chops with the sauce.

Fine Cooking (2012)