Skillet Apple Pork Chops with Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Zucchini

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat Oven and Prepare Sweet Potatoes

   8 min

   Set your oven temperature to 450°F and ensure the racks are positioned in the top and middle slots. Rinse and dry the sweet potatoes, then chop them into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread the cubes on a baking sheet, coating them with a drizzle of vegetable oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast these cubes on the top rack for about 12 minutes, until they begin to soften and edges start to caramelize.

2. 2

   Prep Apples, Garlic, Lemon, and Zucchini

   8 min

   While the sweet potatoes are roasting, take the apple, core it, and cut it in half before slicing into half-moons. Finely mince the garlic and cut the lemon into quarters for juicing later. For the zucchini, slice it in half lengthwise, then cut into 1/2-inch thick half-moons. Place the zucchini on a separate baking sheet, drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Set this aside for later.

3. 3

   Season and Sear Pork Chops

   19 min

   Using paper towels, pat the pork chops dry to remove excess moisture, then season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the pork chops to the skillet, cooking them for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are nicely browned and no longer pink in the center. Once cooked, transfer the chops to a plate and keep warm.

4. 4

   Roast Zucchini with Sweet Potatoes

   1 min

   After the initial 12 minutes of roasting, take the baking sheet with zucchini and carefully place it on the middle rack of the oven. Continue roasting both the zucchini and sweet potatoes together for an additional 12-15 minutes, or until they are tender and golden brown, stirring halfway through for even cooking.

5. 5

   Make Apple Glaze in Skillet

   25 min

   In the same skillet used for the pork, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat. Add the sliced apple and season with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook while stirring, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet, until the apples begin to soften, which should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, around 30 seconds. Pour in 1/2 cup of water, followed by the chicken stock concentrate and 1 1/2 teaspoons of sugar. Stir everything together and let it simmer until the sauce thickens and the apples are very tender, roughly 3-5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

6. 6

   Finish and Serve Dish

   5 min

   Once the sauce is ready, remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of butter along with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness. On each plate, arrange the roasted sweet potatoes and zucchini, then place the pork chops on top and generously spoon the apple glaze over them. Drizzle any remaining lemon juice over the zucchini for added flavor.