Preparation

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. This oven temperature is ideal for cooking pork chops thoroughly while keeping them juicy.
2. Dry the Pork Chops: Use a paper towel to pat the pork chops dry. Removing excess moisture helps in achieving a better sear and crust.
3. Mix the Dry Rub: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, black pepper, and salt. This simple dry rub will add a flavorful crust to your pork chops.

Seasoning

1. Rub the Pork Chops: Drizzle olive oil over both sides of the pork chops. Then, evenly apply the dry rub mixture, ensuring every inch is covered for the most flavorful pork.

Baking

1. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the seasoned pork chops on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. If you prefer, you can sear the chops in a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes each side before baking.
2. Bake the Pork Chops: Insert the baking sheet into the preheated oven. The baking time will vary based on the thickness of the meat, but generally, 20-25 minutes should suffice for thick chops. Halfway through, you may flip the chops for an even bake.
3. Check Internal Temperature: Using an instant-read thermometer, check the thickest part of the pork chop. For perfectly juicy chops, aim for an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, considering carryover cooking will raise this a few degrees after removal from the oven.

Resting

1. Let the Meat Rest: After baking, let the pork chops rest under a tent of aluminum foil for 4-5 minutes. This short time allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your pork chops are tender and juicy.