Pesto-Coated Center-Cut Pork Chop

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 6 tablespoons basil pesto , divided
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 center-cut boneless pork chops , 8 ounce
• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Spread 1/2 of the pesto over into the bottom of the baking dish.

2. 2

   Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Add olive oil.

3. 3

   Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Cook pork chops in the hot oil until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer pork chops to baking dish and top each with remaining pesto. Season with red pepper flakes. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.

4. 4

   Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C), about 1 1/2 hours. Allow pork chops to rest for 10 minutes.