If you are looking for an ultra-rich, comforting, and completely hands-off dinner, these Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops are the ultimate answer. This recipe features thick-cut pork chops slow-cooked until they are incredibly tender and succulent, all swimming in a velvety, luxurious garlic and parmesan cream sauce.
It requires minimal effort to prepare, making it the perfect elegant comfort food for busy weeknights. Serve it over a hot bed of pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice to soak up every single drop of that mouth-watering white cream gravy!
Prep time, Cook time, & Servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours (on Low) or 2 hours (on High)
- Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 hearty servings
Ingredients
For the Seared Pork Chops:
- Pork Chops: 4 thick-cut boneless pork chops (about 1.5 to 2 lbs total)
- Olive Oil: 1 tbsp (for a quick pan sear)
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: 1/2 tsp each
- Salt & Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: To taste
The Luxurious Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce:
- Heavy Whipping Cream: 1 cup
- Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, freshly grated from a block
- Garlic: 4 cloves, finely minced
- Italian Seasoning: 1 tsp (dried oregano, basil, and thyme blend)
- Cornstarch: 1 tbsp (whisked with 2 tbsp cold water to form a slurry to thicken the sauce)
The Fresh Garnish:
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tbsp, finely chopped (adds that beautiful vibrant green speckling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Sear the Meat for Maximum Flavor
- Season: Pat your raw pork chops completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Sear: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chops for 2 to 3 minutes per side just until a gorgeous golden-brown crust forms. Note: The meat doesn’t need to be cooked through yet; searing locks in the natural juices and creates beautiful caramelized bits for the sauce!
2. Arrange the Pot
- Grease: Spray the inside walls of your 6-quart slow cooker liner with non-stick cooking spray.
- Layer: Place the seared pork chops neatly inside the bottom of the pot, letting them lean or overlap slightly if needed to fit beautifully.
3. Whisk the Velvety Cream Sauce
- Combine: In a medium bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk together the heavy whipping cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of extra black pepper until completely smooth.
- Pour: Pour the rich white sauce mixture smoothly directly over the pork chops in the slow cooker.
4. Slow Cook to Melt-in-Your-Mouth Tenderness
- Cover tightly with the lid.
- Cook: Cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours (or on HIGH for 2 hours). The pork chops are fully ready when they are fork-tender and register an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
- Chef’s Note: Cooking on LOW is highly recommended to yield that ultra-tender, juicy meat texture without drying out the lean pork.
5. Thicken the Garlic Parmesan Gravy
- Thicken: Open the lid during the final 15-20 minutes of cooking. Stir your cold cornstarch slurry directly into the liquid surrounding the chops. Turn the slow cooker to HIGH, cover, and let it bubble for 15 minutes until the white sauce reduces into a thick, glossy, and luxurious cream gravy.
6. Garnish and Serve Hot
- Garnish: Remove the lid and scatter your fresh chopped green parsley flakes heavily across the hot smothered pork chops.
- Serve: Lift the juicy chops onto plates and ladle a generous mound of the thick garlic parmesan sauce straight over the top. Serve immediately!
Chef’s Tips for Success
- Never Use Pre-Shredded Cheese: Always buy a block of real Parmesan cheese and grate it by hand using a microplane or fine grater. Bags of pre-shredded grocery store cheese are heavily coated in powdery anti-caking starches that will make your cream sauce grainy instead of perfectly smooth and velvety.
- Thick-Cut Cuts are Key: Lean pork can dry out easily under heat, so always look for chops that are at least 1-inch thick. Thicker cuts hold onto their structural moisture beautifully during a slow-cook cycle.
- Perfect Side Pairings: This rich white garlic sauce is the hero of the meal. It pairs absolutely beautifully over a heavy bed of hot fettuccine pasta, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, or even alongside roasted asparagus!