Grilled Honey Chipotle Pork Chops (20 Minutes)

My granddaddy taught me that the secret to great pork chops isn’t complicated techniques – it’s having a good marinade and not overcooking them. This honey chipotle combination gives you the perfect balance of sweet heat that makes these chops absolutely irresistible. I’ve been making them every summer for the past fifteen years, and they never get old.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in pork chops (1 inch thick)
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, minced
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Make marinade: In a bowl, whisk together honey, avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, minced chipotles, adobo sauce, garlic, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, and lime juice.
2. Marinate chops: Place pork chops in a dish or zip-lock bag. Pour marinade over chops, turning to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the fridge.
3. Preheat grill: Heat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Clean and oil grates to prevent sticking.
4. Grill chops: Remove chops from marinade, reserving marinade. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side, brushing with reserved marinade.
5. Check doneness: Cook until internal temperature reaches 145°F (slightly pink in center is perfect). Don’t overcook or they’ll be dry.
6. Rest and serve: Let chops rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Tips

• Bone-in chops stay juicier than boneless – worth seeking out
• Don’t skip the resting time – it helps redistribute the juices
• If you don’t have a grill, these work great in a cast iron skillet
• Save any extra marinade to drizzle over grilled vegetables