These Pan Seared Lamb Chops are a one-pan showstopper! They are succulent and incredibly flavorful, and you don't need to be a professional to pull off the recipe. All you need is a good cast-iron skillet, some lamb chops, butter, and herbs. You'll have a delicious meal ready for the dinner table in just 15 minutes.
Recipe Essentials
- 🍽️ Course: Main Dish
- ⏱️ Cooking Time: 6 minutes
- 🍴 Servings: 2
- 🧄 Flavor Profile: Savory, rich lamb with a beautifully caramelized crust, garlic, herbs, and a buttery finish.
- 🍚 Best Served With: Roasted potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, asparagus, or a fresh herb salad.
- 🧊 Make Ahead?: Best served fresh, but you can season the lamb up to 24 hours ahead and sear just before serving.
Summarize and Save This Content On
Who knew a more expensive cut of meat could be so easy to make? You can pan-fry these lamb chops and serve them for a holiday meal, for guests, or for your family on a weeknight. They pair well with almost any side dish, so you can create a complete, tasty meal that everyone will love.
If you're looking for more special occasion dinner recipes, I recommend steak and crab legs, and maple bourbon salmon.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's made in one pan for easy cleanup: This is a simple one-pan recipe that doesn't dirty many dishes or utensils, saving you time on kitchen cleanup afterwards.
- It cooks in under 15 minutes: If you're looking for a quick recipe that tastes good and keeps you satisfied, I recommend these pan seared lamb chops. They're cooked to perfection in less than 15 minutes!
- It's perfect for date night or a weeknight: These cast-iron lamb chops are elegant enough to serve for a date night at home but quick and easy enough to make after a busy day.
Ingredients
These are the important ingredients you'll need for this pan seared lamb chop recipe. The butter keeps the lamb moist and adds plenty of richness!
- Butter: Salted butter is key! The lamb chops needed the extra salt to penetrate the meat and give them enough flavor. You may use unsalted butter to baste your lamb, but keep in mind that the flavor result may not be the same.
- Lamb chops: I use French-style lamb chops. They're bone-in to keep them moist and make them extra flavorful. They are typically around 1 ½ inches thick, so if you use thicker or thinner chops, that will change the cooking time slightly.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
How to Make Lamb Chops on the Stove
Here are the instructions you'll need so you know how to cook lamb chops on the stove. Ensure you have your ingredients ready and your lamb patted dry before you start.
Step 1: Melt the butter and add the lamb. Start by heating your cast iron over medium heat, then melt the butter and add the thyme, salt, and garlic. Then, add the lamb chops to the skillet.
Step 2: Pan fry the lamb chops. Cook the lamb chops for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they have a nice brown crust on the outside and are medium rare in the middle. Serve them hot with roasted potatoes, carrots, and onions.
How Long to Cook Lamb Chops on the Stove
Below is a chart that can help you achieve the best results when cooking your lamb chops. Medium-rare is best for lamb, but the CDC recommends cooking it until 145F and then resting for 3 minutes.
| Doneness | Internal Temp | Texture |
| Medium-Rare | 135°F | Juicy, tender, best flavor |
| Medium | 145°F | Slightly firmer, still moist |
| Well-Done | 160°F+ | Not recommended |
Expert Tips
- Grill the lamb chops: You can grill your lamb chops, too! Preheat your grill to 400F, and cook them 3-4 minutes per side over direct heat, then rest before serving.
- Swap the herbs: Feel free to trade the thyme for rosemary for a robust, piney flavor, or for sage for an earthy flavor.
- Avoid cooking them to well done: Unless you enjoy your lamb chops well done, I recommend that you avoid cooking them that long. Lamb can dry out easily when it's no longer pink in the center.
- Storage directions: Store leftover lamb chops in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You may freeze them for up to 2 months.
More delicious lamb recipes you should try are this herbed-garlic sous vide lamb rack and this lamb stew (easy crockpot recipe). This Dutch oven Irish stew is another one to check out. It's super delicious.
Serving Suggestions
- Prepare an impressive vegetable side dish like Brussels sprouts casserole or bacon wrapped asparagus to go with your skillet lamb chops.
- It's only fitting that a fancy drink like a cranberry shrub cocktail is enjoyed with lamb chops.
- This brandy cream sauce was originally made for filet mignon, but would also complement the lamb.
- Enjoy a delicious, easy dessert, like strawberry bars, to complete your meal.
Recipe FAQs
Use a meat thermometer to check the lamb chops for doneness. I included a helpful chart above, but lamb is best cooked to medium-rare (135F) or medium (145F).
Overcooked lamb can get tough really fast. Stick to the base cooking times provided in the recipe and don't go too much past them unless you have really thick chops. The thermometer is your friend again here!
You can prepare them ahead, but they're best cooked right before serving. Pat them dry and bring them to room temperature to get them ready, but don't cook them early.
They are best reheated in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a little water for moisture (just a splash or two will do) and gently reheat them for 3-4 minutes per side. Avoid the microwave because that can dry them out and make them rubbery.
More Delicious Skillet Recipes
Do you like pan searing meats? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
If you try this recipe and love it please leave a star rating in the recipe card below or even better, drop a review in the comment section. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to follow along with me on Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube for more easy recipes!
Pan Seared Lamb Chops
Ingredients
- ¼ cup salted butter ½ Stick
- 6-8 sprgis thyme
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 4-6 French style cut lamb chops
Instructions
- In a skillet melt butter with thyme, garlic and salt on medium heat.
- Once bubbling, place lamb chops into pan and cook for 2-3 minutes per side (time may vary depending on thickness*).
- Allow them to rest covered for about 5 minutes, then serve.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to check your pan-fried lamb chops for doneness before resting and serving them.
- You may grill the lamb chops instead os searing them in a skillet if you prefer.
- Avoid overcooking the lamb chops to prevent them from becoming dry and tough.
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