01 -
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 -
Take the bone-in pork chops and season both sides well with salt and pepper.
03 -
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the pork chops. Sear them for about 3-4 minutes on each side until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
04 -
In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced onions. Sauté them for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelized and soft.
05 -
In a bowl, mix together the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme (if using). Stir until well combined.
06 -
In a baking dish, spread half of the soup mixture evenly on the bottom. Place the seared pork chops on top. Cover the pork chops with the remaining soup mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
07 -
Top the pork chops with the caramelized onions, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, and finish with a generous layer of French fried onions.
08 -
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
09 -
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the French fried onions are crispy.
10 -
Remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then serve hot.