Name: Pork Chops Caprese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 4 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 center-cut pork chops (1/2-inch thick pork chops); around 16 small pieces of whole milk mozzarella cut into small pieces ( you can also use mini balls of mozzarella or presliced 4 pieces per pork chop); 16 fresh basil leaves (or enough to go under the mozzarella for garnishes); around 8 grape tomatoes sliced in half (4 halves per pork chop); 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar for marinating and more for serving on top around 6 more tablespoons (or use a balsamic glaze reduction just for the garnishing); 3 tablespoons of olive oil for frying (plus 3 more tablespoons for marinating); 2 cloves finely minced garlic; 1/2 teaspoon each of granulated garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste; Note: large slices of plum tomatoes and presliced mozzarella can be used, with a larger amount of salad on each chop.; Optional garnish when serving: grated Pecorino Romano and Red Pepper flakes.

Pork Chops Caprese is a fresh burst of salad topped center cut pork chop with a fabulous drizzle of balsamic vinegar and fresh basil garnish topping.

This recipe is super easy, and delicious and makes a beautiful presentation when hosting a dinner party.

The secret to these juicy chops is the marinade and they can be cooked indoors on a gridded cast iron pan or outdoors on the grill for the perfect summer backyard meal.

An easy dish to prepare any weeknight and impressive enough for serving guests, these pork chops are a terrific addition to any recipe collection.

Check out this easy recipe in our printable recipe card at the bottom just hit print and the ads will disappear.

pork chops topped with a tomato and mozzarella salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar

Easy Steps and Ingredients for Pork Chops Caprese

Marinate the chops overnight or at least 4 hours in a ziplock bag
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
Sear each chop for 4 to 5 minutes on each side
Top with the cheese and sliced tomato
Bake for around 4 minutes or until just heated
Garnish with fresh basil, drizzle with balsamic and more olive oil if desired
To ensure doneness check the internal temperature to be at 145 degrees using an instant-read thermometer
The full recipe is at the end of this posting in a printable recipe card

center cut raw pork chops on a gridded pan

Suggestions and Tips for Pork Chops Caprese:

If you want to change to outdoor grilling, cook the pork or (if using chicken) for around 5 minutes on each side then garnish with cheese and tomatoes put the grill cover down for 3 minutes when the meat is cooked and heated through.
Try this recipe with veal chops,,chicken, lamb, or boneless steak
Always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the food is safely cooked at the correct internal temperature should register at 145 degrees in the thickest part
For a little heat, add some cayenne pepper or sprinkle with red pepper flake when serving
Let the meat rest before serving around 3 minutes
Use thawed fresh cuts of meat never from the frozen state
Top with crispy cooked bacon for a bacon caprese salad on top
If you prefer your cheese melted shut off the oven or grill and let it sit in until is melts or broil the top for a few minutes

Pork Chop Caprese Shopping List

center cut pork chops (boneless chicken or steak)
balsamic vinegar
olive oil
salt, pepper, granulated garlic powder
grape tomatoes
fresh basil
mozzarella
grated cheese
for these exact measurements print the recipe card below

Pin Me For Later

pin for later how to make pork chop caprese

Pork Chops Caprese Style Dinner Recipe

This simple salad-topped recipe for center-cut pork chops is delicious, tender, and juicy.

The longer you marinate them the more tender they are.

Always check the internal temperature so the food is done and safe to eat with an instant-read thermometer, (pork should be at 145 degrees internal temperature).

You can find that tool under Kitchen Toy Shop on our Amazon Store Front Page ("paid affiliate link" see privacy policy disclaimer)

pork chops caprese, pork chop recipes, juicy grilled pork chops, how to make pork chop caprese

pork chop recipes, center cut pork chop recipes, pork recipes

American

Yield: 4

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Pork Chops Caprese

Pork chops grilled indoors using a gridded cast iron skillet and topped with a delicious Caprese salad and drizzled with a balsamic tasty dressing

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinInactive time: 4 HourTotal time: 4 H & 30 M

Ingredients

4 center-cut pork chops (1/2-inch thick pork chops)
around 16 small pieces of whole milk mozzarella cut into small pieces ( you can also use mini balls of mozzarella or presliced 4 pieces per pork chop)
16 fresh basil leaves (or enough to go under the mozzarella for garnishes)
around 8 grape tomatoes sliced in half (4 halves per pork chop)
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar for marinating and more for serving on top around 6 more tablespoons (or use a balsamic glaze reduction just for the garnishing)
3 tablespoons of olive oil for frying (plus 3 more tablespoons for marinating)
2 cloves finely minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon each of granulated garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste
Note: large slices of plum tomatoes and presliced mozzarella can be used, with a larger amount of salad on each chop.
Optional garnish when serving: grated Pecorino Romano and Red Pepper flakes.

Instructions

Add the 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, minced fresh garlic, salt, pepper, granulated garlic, oregano, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil with the pork chops in a large ziplock bag.
Seal and refrigerate overnight or at least for 4 hours.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees; you will need a gridded cast iron pan to cook these chops.
In a gridded cast iron pan heat this until hot then add the rest of the olive oil
Add the chops and sear each side for around 4 minutes.
Place the cast iron skillet in the oven topping each chop with mozzarella cheese and sliced tomatoes and place in the oven for 10 more minutes just until warmed.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves under mozzarella and drizzle each one with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Red pepper flakes and grated Pecorino Romano cheese on top are optional.

Notes

Suggestions and Tips for Pork Chops Caprese:

If you want to change to outdoor grilling, cook the pork or (if using chicken) for around 5 minutes on each side then garnish with cheese and tomatoes put the grill cover down for 3 minutes when the meat is cooked and heated through.
Try this recipe with chicken, veal chops, lamb, or boneless steak
Always use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the food is safely cooked at the correct internal temperature should register at 145 degrees in the thickest part
For a little heat, add some cayenne pepper or sprinkle with red pepper flake when serving
Let the meat rest before serving around 3 minutes
Use thawed fresh cuts of meat never from the frozen state
Top with crispy cooked bacon for a bacon caprese salad on top
If you prefer your cheese melted shut off the oven or grill and let it sit in until is melts or broil the top for a few minutes (we just warm ours however melted or bubbling cheese will need to be in there longer)

Nutrition Facts

Calories

513.89

Fat (grams)

34.53 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

13.45 g

Carbs (grams)

4.52 g

Fiber (grams)

0.47 g

Net carbs

4.05 g

Sugar (grams)

2.75 g

Protein (grams)

44.25 g

Sodium (milligrams)

512.94 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

142.21 mg

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.