Baked Pork Chops and Rice Recipe

There’s a certain magic in recipes that come straight from a family kitchen, isn’t there?

This one, a beautiful fusion of my mom’s and grandma’s methods, creates a complete, comforting meal right in one dish.

Why This Dish Feels Like Home

This isn’t just another pork chop recipe; it’s a weekly ritual that somehow pleases everyone at the table.

The rice becomes impossibly creamy, soaking up all the savory goodness from the chops and soups as they bake together.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Each component here has a specific role, working together to create that perfect, cohesive bite.

You’ll likely have many of these simple ingredients waiting in your pantry already.

• Bone-In Pork Chops (4-6): The bone adds tremendous flavor and helps keep the meat juicy during the longer bake time.
• Jasmine Rice (1 ½ cups): Its fragrant, slightly sticky quality makes for a wonderfully creamy texture once cooked.
• Butter (1 stick): Melted butter enriches the rice and gives the pork chops a beautiful, golden finish.
• Cream of Celery Soup & Cream of Onion Soup (1 can each): These are the secret to the luxurious, savory sauce that cooks the rice.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper (1 tsp, 1 tsp, ½ tsp, ¼ tsp): A simple, smoky dry rub that builds a flavor foundation right on the meat.
• Water or Chicken Broth (1 cup): This provides the necessary liquid for the rice to properly steam and become tender.
• Dried Parsley Flakes (1 tsp, optional): A little sprinkle adds a pop of color and a faint herby note.

How to make Baked Pork Chops and Rice Recipe?

The process is beautifully straightforward, with most of the work happening in the oven.

Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a classic comfort food dinner with minimal fuss.

Step 1 – Prep Your Station

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Take a large, deep baking dish and give it a good coat of non-stick spray—this makes cleanup a dream later.

Step 2 – Season the Pork

Combine your garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper in a small dish.

Pat the pork chops dry, then generously season both sides of each chop with this savory spice blend.

Step 3 – Rinse the Rice

Place your rice in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse it under cool running water.

This washes away excess surface starch, which prevents the rice from becoming gummy as it bakes.

Step 4 – Build the Creamy Base

Shake the rinsed rice into your greased baking dish. Melt the butter, either in the microwave or a small pan.

To the rice, add both cans of cream soup, half of the melted butter, and your cup of water or broth.

Step 5 – Assemble the Dish

Stir that rice and soup mixture until it’s completely combined, then smooth it into an even layer.

Nestle your seasoned pork chops right on top, in a single layer over the rice.

Step 6 – The Buttery Finish

Drizzle the remaining melted butter over the pork chops.

If you’re using them, now is the time to sprinkle those parsley flakes over everything for a bit of green.

Step 7 – The Two-Part Bake

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil—this is crucial for creating steam to cook the rice.

Bake it covered for 30 minutes, then carefully remove the foil (mind the hot steam!) and bake for 30 more minutes uncovered.

Step 8 – Rest and Serve

The pork chops should reach 145°F internally, and the rice should be tender and creamy.

Let the dish sit on the counter for about five minutes after baking; the rice will absorb the last bit of liquid perfectly.

Choosing Your Pork Chops

Not all pork chops are created equal for this particular baking method.

Go for bone-in chops that are about an inch thick; they withstand the cooking time much better than thin, boneless cuts.

Tips

• Don’t skip the foil cover for the first half of baking. That trapped steam is what cooks your raw rice perfectly.
• Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. Ovens can vary, so 145°F in the thickest part of the chop is your true goal.
• Letting the dish rest after baking isn’t just for the meat. It allows the rice to set and become the ideal creamy consistency.
• If your soup and rice mixture looks a bit too thick after mixing, add an extra splash of broth or water before baking.

Delicious Variations to Try

The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability to what you love or have on hand.

Feel free to make it your own with a few simple swaps and additions.

Swap the cream soups for other favorites like cream of mushroom or chicken. It changes the flavor profile subtly but wonderfully.

For a cheesier version, sprinkle a handful of shredded cheddar over the whole dish during the last 10 minutes of baking.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftovers

This dish makes for fantastic leftovers, as the flavors meld even more overnight.

Just store any extras in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Reheating individual portions in the microwave is the easiest method.

For larger amounts, you can reheat it covered in a 325°F oven until warmed through, which might take 20-30 minutes.