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    Recipes » Main Course Recipes » Mediterranean Main Courses

    Pan-Fried Lamb Chops

    Published: Sep 28, 2022 by Marissa Stevens · 20 Comments

    Gluten FreeLow CarbPaleoMediterraneanWhole30Quick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Make these quick, Pan-Fried Lamb Chops when you need an easy but elegant date night or dinner party main dish. Or on a busy weeknight or lazy weekend evening. Whenever the craving strikes, you can be serving these beautiful chops in 30 minutes flat (including prep time and resting time).

    Pan-Fried Lamb Chops in a cast iron skillet

    You'll slather tender, lamb rib chops with an aromatic marinade of fresh garlic cloves and rosemary, olive oil, salt and pepper. Then lay them into a blistering skillet to sear on each side. Just long enough to turn the garlic and rosemary into crispy, buttery, piney bits and coat the chops in a well-browned crust, but leave them juicy and pink within.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients you need to make Pan-Fried Lamb Chops
    • FAQ
    • Pair With
    • How to make Pan-Fried Lamb Chops
    • Pan Fried Lamb Chops
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients you need to make Pan-Fried Lamb Chops

    ingredients for pan-fried lamb chops
    • Lamb Rib Chops: For this recipe, you'll need 8 lamb rib chops that are about ¾-inch thick and trimmed of excess fat (Frenched). Tip: You can buy individual lamb rib chops, but I often buy lamb rib roasts (typically much less expensive per pound) and divide the individual chops with a very sharp knife.
    • Fresh Garlic: look for heads of garlic that are firm and compact with plump cloves. Avoid those that have begun to wilt or discolor or that have begun to sprout.
    • Olive Oil: Any good olive oil will do here, no need for extra-virgin since you'll be searing the lamb chops. Though it's the only kind I typically have on hand and works well for this recipe.
    • Fresh Rosemary: Don't be tempted to swap in dried rosemary. It's a star flavor here, so you want fresh, tender leaves of rosemary for the best flavor.
    • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: you can use fine sea salt if you don't have kosher salt, just use half as much.

    FAQ

    How should lamb chops be cooked?

    You have a lot of options for cooking lamb chops. Lamb rib chops are best grilled or pan-fried as they cook very quickly. Lamb loin chops are also great on the grill, but do well in the oven too. (See these other lamb recipes: Roasted Lamb Chops and Grilled Lamb Chops or Grilled Lamb Loin Chops.)

    How do you know when lamb chops are cooked?

    You can use a recipe's temperature and cook time as a guide. But for the most accurate results, use an instant read thermometer to ensure that your lamb chops are cooked to your desired doneness: 145°F for medium rare (pull from heat at 135°F), at 160°F for medium (pull from heat at 150°F), and 170°F for well done (pull from heat at 160°F).

    What temperature should I cook lamb chops?

    Cook lamb rib chops hot and fast on a grill or in a skillet on the stove top. You can grill, bake, or pan-fry lamb loin chops.

    Pair With

    • Mashed Red Potatoes
    • Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
    • Gratin Dauphinois
    • Fondant Potatoes
    • Italian Roasted Potatoes
    • Garlic Butter Mushrooms
    • Roasted Baby Potatoes

    How to make Pan-Fried Lamb Chops

    Combine marinade ingredients (garlic, rosemary, olive oil, and salt) in a small bowl.

    rosemary garlic and olive oil marinade

    Spoon marinade evenly over both sides of lamb loin chops.

    lamb rib chops coated in marinade

    Pan-fry lamb chops in a hot, cast iron skillet over medium-high heat to your desired doneness, 2-4 minutes per side. Remove from pan and let rest 5 minutes; serve.

    pan fried lamb chops ready to serve
    Pan-Fried Lamb Chops in a cast iron pan

    Pan Fried Lamb Chops

    Marissa Stevens
    If you have 30 minutes and a few simple ingredients, you can serve juicy, aromatic lamb chops whenever a craving strikes! They're weekday simple and dinner party elegant.
    5 from 7 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 8 mins
    Resting Time 10 mins
    Total Time 28 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Mediterranean
    Servings 8 lamb chops
    Calories 255 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 lamb chops ¾ inches thick
    • 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary dried rosemary is not a good substitute here
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • freshly ground black pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, stir together 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper. Spoon mixture evenly over both sides of lamb chops. (You can do this up to 4 hours ahead.)
    • Heat a large skillet (ideally cast iron) over medium-high heat until hot. Pour in remaining tablespoon of olive oil and swirl to coat. Add lamb chops in a single layer and cook 2 to 4 minutes on each side to desired doneness, 135°F for medium-rare.
    • Transfer lamb chops to platter and let rest 5 minutes before serving.

    Notes

    1. You can find lamb rib chops already cut in the grocery store, but I've found that it's less expensive to buy lamb rib roasts and cut them into individual chops with a very sharp knife. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 255kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 23gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 372mgPotassium: 304mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword 4th of July, easy, father's day, grilled, quick, summer
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Mediterranean Recipes

    • Gyro Meat Recipe
    • Chicken Kabobs in the Oven
    • Tabouli Salad
    • Grilled Lamb Loin Chops

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Vincent Russo says

      January 29, 2021 at 4:47 pm

      Just made them in my cast iron skillet. They were delicious. I was a little nervous on how fine to chop the rosemary. I think i could have went finer but all worked out well.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        January 30, 2021 at 8:17 am

        I'm so glad these were a hit, Vincent! Thank you for coming back to let me know.

        Reply
    2. Matt - Total Feasts says

      April 12, 2020 at 11:36 pm

      5 stars
      I LOVE lamb, but I almost never buy it and I've never made lamb chops before. I'm looking at my rosemary bush, and now thinking about how I might be able to get my hands on some chops. They look brilliant!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 14, 2020 at 8:17 am

        aww...thanks so much, Matt!

        Reply
    3. Kelly | Foodtasia says

      April 12, 2020 at 8:43 am

      5 stars
      So craving these lamb chops right now! Love the marinade and how easy they are to make. Very elegant!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 12, 2020 at 12:01 pm

        Thank you, Kelly!

        Reply
    4. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      April 11, 2020 at 7:37 pm

      5 stars
      How tasty do these look, Marissa!? I love that you pan-fried them. I feel like pan-frying foods makes them SO much more flavorful. I will be keeping my eyes peeled for lamb chops so I can make these in the near future 🙂 Happy Easter weekend!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 12, 2020 at 12:01 pm

        Love to hear that, Katherine! Happy Easter to you and your adorable family!

        Reply
    5. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      April 09, 2020 at 5:53 pm

      5 stars
      These would be perfect with a side of your cheesy potatoes Marissa! And they'd disappear quickly at our house. Pinned!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 10, 2020 at 2:40 pm

        aww...I love to hear that, Mary Ann. Thank you so much!

        Reply
    6. Valentina says

      April 09, 2020 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      Love pan-fried lamb chops! And you can never go wrong with lamb and rosemary. Delicious! 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 10, 2020 at 2:40 pm

        Thank you, Valentina! I agree!

        Reply
    7. Mimi says

      April 09, 2020 at 12:27 pm

      Sometimes I’ll pan fry a couple little lamb chops just for myself, cause my husband doesn’t like lamb. I just use salt and pepper. There’s nothing like good lamb!!! Great pics!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 09, 2020 at 1:36 pm

        Thank you! That's funny, Mimi. We know several couples who are the same, that have to get their solo lamb chop fix.

        Reply
    8. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

      April 09, 2020 at 9:08 am

      5 stars
      I really wish I could grab a chop from one screen...or the whole pan really! What a delicious dish, Marissa! Perfect for entertaining or date night! Happy Easter! XO

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 09, 2020 at 1:37 pm

        haha, thanks, Dawn! Happy Easter! XO

        Reply
    9. David @ Spiced says

      April 09, 2020 at 3:46 am

      5 stars
      These lamb chops look amazing, Marissa! I love the simple, classic ingredients you used here. These are certainly easy enough to make on a weeknight, but they're fancy enough to serve to company for holidays. I think lamb chops are on sale this week, too...lucky me! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 09, 2020 at 1:37 pm

        Perfect timing! Thank you, David!

        Reply
    10. angiesrecipes says

      April 08, 2020 at 10:30 am

      This is SO yummy! I had some lamb shanks today and now I am craving some lamb chops too.

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 09, 2020 at 1:37 pm

        Lamb shanks are pretty delicious too! Thanks, Angie. 🙂

        Reply

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