Oven-Barbecued Pork Chops

Pork and barbecue sauce just go together, but they don't need to only be cooked out on the grill. When those rainy days come, bring the tastes inside and cook in the oven. These chops are packed full of flavor and are easy to make.

Oven-Barbecued Pork Chops

 (Serves 4.)

• 8 pork chops if small, 4 if large

• Salt & freshly ground pepper

• 3 teaspoons canola oil

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• 1/3 cup orange juice

• 1/2 cup spicy barbecue sauce

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Oven-Barbecued Pork Chops

Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat.

Add the pork chops (if using 8 chops, cook in batches) and cook until they begin to brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil to the pan. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. 

Add orange juice and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Stir in the barbecue sauce, honey and parsley. Warm sauce to blend flavors.

Return the pork chops to the pan, turning several times to coat with the sauce. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake until the pork chops are cooked and an instant-read thermometer registers 145°F, about 10 minutes for thin chops, longer for thicker ones. Plate the chops and top with some of the sauce.