Delicious Smothered Lamb Chops Recipe: Rich & Tender (Print Version)

Delicious Smothered Lamb Chops Recipe: Tender lamb in a savory gravy. Make this comforting, easy homestyle meal for a flavor-packed dinner tonight.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 45 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 65 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Homestyle American
Dietary: Meat-Eater Friendly

# Ingredients:

→ Main Stars

01 - 4-6 lamb chops (loin or rib, about 1-inch thick)
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Flavor Base

03 - 1 large yellow onion, chopped
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 sprigs fresh thyme

→ Gravy Essentials

06 - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
07 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Seasoning

09 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, pat those lamb chops super dry with paper towels. This is crucial for a good sear, trust me! Then, season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Don't be shy here; the seasoning makes all the difference. I always lay them out on a plate and let them sit for a few minutes while I get everything else ready, just to let that salt work its magic. It feels like a little pre-game ritual.
02 - Heat your olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully place the seasoned lamb chops in the hot pan, making sure not to overcrowd it. You want a beautiful, deep golden-brown crust, so let them sear for about 3-4 minutes per side. I always get a little excited at this stage, the sizzle and the smell are just heavenly! This is where I almost always get a bit of oil splatter, so a splatter screen is your friend.
03 - Once the chops are seared, remove them from the pan and set them aside. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the pan, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom – those are flavor bombs! Sauté the onion until it softens and turns translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Oh, the smell at this point? Pure kitchen bliss!
04 - Now for the roux! Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the sautéed onions and garlic. Stir constantly for about 2 minutes, letting the flour cook out. It’ll form a paste, and you'll see it turn a slightly golden color. This step is important; it prevents your gravy from tasting like raw flour, which I learned the hard way once. Just keep stirring, don't walk away, or you'll have burnt flour, and that's just a sad situation.
05 - Slowly, I mean slowly, whisk in the chicken broth, a little at a time, making sure to smooth out any lumps before adding more. This is where patience pays off! Once all the broth is incorporated and the gravy starts to thicken, stir in the Worcestershire sauce and fresh thyme. Bring it to a gentle simmer. I always sneak a little taste here to adjust seasonings, sometimes it needs a tiny bit more salt or a crack of fresh pepper.
06 - Return the seared lamb chops to the skillet, nestling them into that beautiful gravy. Make sure they’re mostly submerged. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for about 25-35 minutes, or until the lamb chops are incredibly tender and cooked through. I usually flip them halfway through, just to ensure they’re evenly smothered. The gravy should be rich and glossy, and the lamb should practically fall apart. It's truly a sight (and smell!) to behold.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the pan; sear chops in batches for a proper crust, I learned this the hard way!
02 - Leftovers are great, but reheat gently on the stovetop to keep the lamb tender and gravy smooth.
03 - Pork chops are a decent swap if you're out of lamb, just adjust cooking time slightly.
04 - Serve these smothered chops with creamy mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of that amazing gravy.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven
02 - whisk
03 - tongs

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 450
Total Fat: 28g
Total Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 35g

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