Now let me tell you, if you’re looking to make some real tender pork chops and rice, that slow cooker is your best friend. It does all the hard work while you sit back, relax, or get on with your day. Let’s not mess around here – I’ll walk you through how to get those pork chops falling-apart good, and how to make the rice nice and fluffy right in the same pot.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pork Chops: Get about 4 thick cuts, preferably bone-in for extra flavor. But any cut will do.
- Rice: About a cup, long-grain works best.
- Onion: 1 big one, chopped up nice and small.
- Mushrooms: A handful (about a cup), sliced up. This is optional, but it adds a lot of flavor.
- Broth: About 2 cups – chicken or vegetable works fine.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. This makes it smell amazing.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: 1 can. This is what gives it that creamy texture.
- Salt, Pepper, and Some Herbs: A pinch of each – thyme, rosemary, or even parsley if you got it. Simple but good.
Steps to Make It All Come Together
Alright, let’s get cooking!
1. Prep the Slow Cooker: First things first, grease up your slow cooker with a bit of oil or butter to make sure nothing sticks. A little bit goes a long way.
2. Layer the Veggies: Toss those chopped onions and mushrooms right in the bottom. They’ll cook down nice and soft and add a lot of flavor to the whole dish.
3. Add the Pork Chops: Lay those pork chops right on top of the veggies. Just set them in there nice and easy. Make sure they’re not frozen, or they’ll take forever to cook, and we don’t want anyone getting sick!
4. Seasoning: Sprinkle a good pinch of salt, pepper, and any herbs you like right on those pork chops. Don’t go too heavy – just enough to give some flavor.
5. Pour in the Soup and Broth: In a bowl, mix up that can of cream of mushroom soup with the broth. Stir it up good, then pour it right over the pork chops. This will keep everything moist and creamy while it cooks.
6. Add the Rice: Finally, add the rice. Just sprinkle it around the pork chops, but try not to dump it all in one spot. It’s going to cook and soak up that broth, making it soft and flavorful.
7. Set the Cooker and Go Relax: Put the lid on, set your slow cooker to low, and let it cook for about 4-6 hours. Slow and steady wins the race here. You don’t want to rush it, or those chops might dry out. If you’re in a hurry, you can set it to high and go for about 2-3 hours, but low heat gives you the best texture.
8. Check for Doneness: Before serving, make sure the pork chops are nice and tender. You should be able to cut through them with a fork. If they’re still tough, give them another 30 minutes.
Tips for Tender Pork Chops
Sometimes pork chops can get dry and tough, especially if they cook too fast. Here’s a tip: the slower, the better! Cooking them low and slow helps them stay juicy. You could even give them a quick sear on the stove first if you want extra flavor, but it’s not a must.
What to Serve With This Dish
This pork chops and rice recipe goes great with some steamed vegetables or a side salad. Even just a slice of bread to soak up that gravy is perfect. You got everything right in the slow cooker, so keep it simple with the sides.
Storing Leftovers
If you’ve got leftovers, they’ll keep just fine in the fridge for a couple of days. Just scoop it all into a container, cover it up, and pop it in. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in the microwave or on the stove – might need a splash of water to keep it from drying out.
Conclusion
There you have it – easy pork chops and rice, slow cooker style! It’s simple, it’s filling, and it doesn’t take much fuss. Perfect for busy days or when you just don’t feel like standing over the stove. The slow cooker does all the hard work, and you get a meal that tastes like you spent hours on it. Give it a try, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in no time!
Tags： [slow cooker, pork chops, rice recipe, easy cooking, comfort food, crockpot]
