Peach-Stuffed Pork Chops

Stuffing:

• 2 strips bacon, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
• ½ cup diced onion
• 2 tablespoons diced poblano pepper
• 1 large yellow peach, peeled, pitted, and diced
• 8 saltine crackers, crushed
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons chicken broth, or as needed (Optional)

Pork Chops:

• 2 double-cut boneless pork chops
• salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup chicken broth (Optional)
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, cold

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) with oven rack in center position.
2. Cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until almost crisp, about 5 minutes. Add onion and poblano pepper; cook until onion turns translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add peach; cook until tender and starting to render some juice. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Stir saltines, thyme, black pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt, and cayenne pepper into peach mixture; add 2 tablespoons chicken broth to moisten as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
4. Lay pork chops flat onto your work surface. Cut a pocket in center of each pork chop, starting with a small incision on fat side of chops, exactly halfway down, using the tip of a knife to cut as close to the edges as possible without poking through. Try to make pocket incisions at least 2 inches wide.
5. Fill pockets with peach stuffing, packing and pressing in firmly; season both sides chops with salt.
6. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over high heat. Add chops; sear until browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip chops and transfer skillet to the oven.
7. Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into centers reads 145 degrees F to 150 degrees F (63 to 66 degrees C), about 15 minutes.
8. Transfer chops to a plate; cover loosely with aluminum foil.
9. Return the skillet to the stovetop; place a towel over the hot handle. Add ¼ cup chicken broth and balsamic vinegar; bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon. Off heat, stir in butter. Taste; adjust seasoning if desired. Serve sauce over pork chops.