How to Cook Juicy, Flavorful Turkey Chops in the Oven

So many of you have been asking me to upload turkey chop recipes for ages now. It’s not that I have been ignoring you; it’s just that I couldn’t find turkey chops anywhere! I looked everywhere and couldn’t find them! In the end, I bought a huge turkey breast at Krogers and asked them to cut it into chops. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this before! Anyway, I finally have a turkey chop recipe for you all. You can trust, and believe that this will not be the last one!.

Turkey chops are an underrated weeknight dinner option that are quick, easy, and packed with flavor. This lean, tender meat cooks up fast while absorbing spices beautifully.

In this detailed guide I’ll share my foolproof method for oven-baked turkey chops that turn out juicy and delicious every time. With just a handful of pantry staples you can elevate your dinner game without spending hours in the kitchen.

Benefits of Cooking Turkey Chops

Compared to chicken turkey chops offer some great advantages

Quick cooking time: These thin, flattened chops cook through in 30 minutes or less.
Budget-friendly: Turkey chops cost just a fraction of chicken breasts.
Lean and tender: With little fat, they bake up moist and fork-tender.
Flavorful: Turkey has a savory, rich taste that pairs well with herbs and spices.
Nutritious: Turkey provides protein, vitamins, and minerals like zinc and selenium.

With all these benefits, turkey chops deserve a regular spot in your dinner rotation.

Picking the Right Turkey Chops

When shopping, look for chops that are:

About 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick. Thinner ones cook quicker.
Pale pink with no blemishes or drying around the edges.
Packaged loosely rather than tightly compressed. Tighter packaging can deform the meat.

I recommend buying them fresh, but frozen pre-packaged turkey chops work too. Just thaw them overnight in the fridge before cooking.

Turkey Chop Marinade for Flavor and Tenderness

A simple marinade makes all the difference, infusing the turkey with flavor while keeping it incredibly moist.

My easy marinade has 5 basic ingredients:

Olive oil: Moisturizes the meat.
Fresh herbs: Rosemary, thyme, oregano all add aromatic flavor.
Garlic: Provides a subtle zing.
Salt: Enhances flavor.
Pepper: Adds a hint of spice.

Simply combine the ingredients, coat the chops, and let marinate for 15-30 minutes while the oven preheats. The chops literally soak up the marinade’s flavors.

How to Cook Turkey Chops to Perfection

Preheating the oven and using a baking sheet are key for evenly cooked, crispy chops.

Follow these simple steps:

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. The nonstick surface helps the chops brown beautifully.
After marinating, place chops on the sheet without overlapping. Even spacing allows air flow for crispiness.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until chops are golden brown and just firm to the touch. An instant-read thermometer should register 160°F.
Let rest 5 minutes before serving. This locks in the juices.

And that’s seriously it! With this easy oven method, your turkey chops will turn out perfect every single time.

Cooking Times for Turkey Chops

Thinner chops cook faster than thick ones. Follow these oven times as a guide:

1/2 inch thick: Bake 15-18 minutes
3/4 inch thick: Bake 18-22 minutes
1 inch thick: Bake 22-25 minutes

Check the internal temperature to confirm doneness. 160°F is ideal for safe but juicy turkey.

Gravy Options for Turkey Chops

A flavorful gravy takes turkey chops over the top! Here are simple gravy ideas:

Pan gravy: Make gravy right in the baking pan using the turkey drippings. Whisk in broth, salt, pepper and flour or cornstarch to thicken.
Mushroom gravy: Sauté mushrooms and make gravy with the drippings.
Onion gravy: Cook chopped onions in butter until caramelized before making gravy.
Jarred gravy: For the easiest option, heat up a jar of prepared turkey or chicken gravy.

Drizzle the gravy over the baked chops for added moisture and flavor.

Side Dish Ideas for Turkey Chops

Round out your oven-baked turkey chops meal with these tasty sides:

Mashed or roasted potatoes
Sauteed spinach with lemon and garlic
Honey roasted carrots and parsnips
Skillet green beans with bacon and onions
Baked sweet potatoes topped with melted butter
Classic stuffing or dressing
Garden salad with vinaigrette dressing

With so many options, you can create a different side pairing every time.

Tips for the Best Oven Turkey Chops

Use these tips for foolproof, delicious turkey chops every time:

Choose 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick chops for quick cooking
Always preheat the oven fully before baking
Use a baking sheet for even browning and heat distribution
Let chops marinate for at least 15-30 minutes
Bake at 400°F until 160°F internal temperature
Allow chops to rest after baking to seal in moisture

Get these basics right, and you’ll enjoy the juiciest, most flavorful oven-baked turkey chops for easy weeknight meals.

So forget boring chicken – give these delicious turkey chops a try tonight! With just 5 minutes of prep, you’ll have an easy, budget-friendly dinner the whole family will love.

how to cook turkey chops in the oven

Watch how I make these delicious turkey chops!

how to cook turkey chops in the oven

Add salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to both sides of the turkey chops.
Put the all-purpose flour in a large freezer bag. Then, add the chops.
There should be flour on all of the chops after shaking the bag.
Take the chops out of the bag, but don’t throw away the flour.
Put a medium-sized pan over medium-low heat and add 1/4 cup of vegetable oil.
Fry the chops on all sides until they turn golden, then take them out of the pan.
Put the chops in a 9×13 bake dish.
Go back to the stove and add 4 tablespoons of butter to the pan.
Mix it in with a whisk, then add the extra flour and whisk some more.
Slowly pour in the turkey stock, while whisking.
Pour in the half and half, and whisk.
Then, add the mushrooms, onions, and minced garlic and stir them in.
Let cook for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
Pour the gravy over the turkey chops.
Cover the bake bake dish with foil.
Bake on 350 F, for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven, and let sit for 5 minutes.
Serve with desired side dishes, and enjoy!

In this post I’m going to show you how to make the best turkey chops EVER!

We are going to smother these chops in a homemade turkey gravy made of turkey stock, butter, flour. We’re then going to load the gravy with onions, garlic, and mushroom. Sounds good doesn’t it? It tastes even better( and I’m not just saying this because I made it!). These turkey chops come out so tender and flavorful every single time. The are best served with mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. I also like serving them with broccoli or asparagus.

Smothered Turkey Chops Southern Style in the oven

FAQ

What are turkey chops?

You cut the breast into chops, so that the rib mimics a pork chop/ bone in ribeye. Unfortunately, you only get about 2 per breast, so it’s quite a waste, because you really only cut it from the thickest part of the breast.

Is it best to cover pork chops in the oven?

Baking the pork chops covered creates a pocket of steam and causes it be become tender in the process. I then remove the foil and let it bake at a higher heat which then browns the outside. This is one of my favorite ways to cook pork! The pork chops were juicy, tender and packed full of flavor.

How long does it take to cook a turkey breast in the oven?

Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb is 20 minutes per pound of turkey breast at 350°F.

What is the best way to cook a turkey without drying it out?

Rub one side of your triangle with olive oil and shape the foil (oil-side-down) over the turkey breast, then remove foil; it will shield your turkey breast and keep it from getting dry. You’ll apply this shield later in the roasting process.