Lemon Thyme Lamb Chops is an elegant 30 minute meal that is as vibrant and delicious as it is quick and easy to put on the table.
Morning everyone — it’s Monday again, can you believe it? April has just whizzed by. I’m in one of those roller-coaster periods where I haven’t stopped to take a breath. Luckily for today’s meal I’m escaping to the heart of France, where they’ve made it a point of pride to stop and smell the lavender. Every culture harbors a nugget or two of wisdom about food, and what I take from French country cooking is the courage to go ultra simple.
Lemon, good olive oil, fresh thyme, sea salt. And a hot fire. The flavors are rich and juicy. The meat cooks for a mere 2 minutes per side. Dinner is ready in a flash, and it’s magnificent. I’ve been rereading Patricia Wells’ Cooking in Provence in bed all week, can you tell?
Lamb chops haven’t been on my radar much, I don’t know why. My mom made them all the time, but for some reason I’ve developed a cooking style that doesn’t focus on chops and roasts very often. But everything that goes around comes around, and I’m slowly finding myself tempted by these cuts again lately.
You’ll want the small lamb chops for this dish, they are only about a 1/2 inch thick. The meat marinates for just 20 minutes, so after you’ve set the table and poured yourself a glass of Bordeaux it’s ready to hit the grill. If you serve these beautiful chops with couscous and a simple vegetable like I did, you’ll be amazed at how fast it all comes together.
I can already tell that my spring summer obsession is going to be grill marks. Since I don’t have an outdoor grill I use a good heavy pan on the stove and it works just fine. The key is letting it get nice and smoking hot before the food touches down. It not only looks enticing, it enhances the flavor of whatever you’re cooking. I even grilled the lemons.
Sprinkle a little sea salt on after cooking so it doesn’t draw out the precious juices before their time. Lamb is so flavorful, nothing else is needed. Serve it with couscous and steamed or roasted baby carrots, or asparagus for the ultimate spring dinner.
Don’t forget to pin these easy Lemon Thyme Lamb Chops!
Ingredients
- 4 lamb chops
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 lemon, cut in half
- fresh thyme
- 1/8 cup olive oil
- sea salt
Instructions
- Put the lamb chops in a shallow dish and cover with 1/8 cup of oil, the lemon juice, and a couple of tablespoons of thyme leaves. Cover and let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Turn the chops over a couple of times to allow all surfaces to marinate.
- Preheat a stove top grill pan on high heat for about 5 minutes. Lower the heat slightly and grill the chops for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Don't move them once you put them down so you will get nice grill marks. Grill the lemon alongside the chops.
- Serve right away sprinkled with sea salt and more fresh thyme leaves.
Notes
Recipe from At Home in Provence
33 Comments
Tina
April 21, 2019 at 7:34 amHas anyone ever let them marinate longer than 20 minutes? What might happen if it was longer…like two hours?
Sue
April 21, 2019 at 7:46 amI think you’d be fine to let it go for an hour or two, Tina. The issue with lemon or other acids is that they break down meat over time, and can eventually make it tougher. I wouldn’t leave it overnight, but a couple of hours should be fine.
Lisa R
July 8, 2018 at 12:56 amI made the lemon thyme lamb chops. They were quick, easy and delicious and full of flavor. My grill is being repaired so I seared them and finished them off in the oven. I will definitely be making these again soon! Thank you for the great recipe. Now that I have found you I can’t wait to make some more of your recipes.
Sue
July 8, 2018 at 8:00 amWelcome in Lisa, it’s been too long since I’ve made lamb chops, thanks for the reminder!
Barbara
November 16, 2018 at 1:47 pmLisa,
How long did you put them in the oven and at what temperature?
Thanks,
Barbara
Yumvilla
October 21, 2017 at 1:46 amHi, the recipe sounds delicious! thanks so much SUE!
Elizabete
October 12, 2017 at 3:28 pmI added garlic and they turn out perfect.
Sue
October 12, 2017 at 4:03 pmSo glad to hear it!
Elaine
September 18, 2017 at 6:47 amAwesome recipe! Very balanced and the ingredients all look fantastic together! Great work and amazing result!
Sue
September 18, 2017 at 7:41 amThanks Elaine!
Giulia
February 1, 2016 at 1:58 pmHi, the recipe sounds delicious! What side do think would go nice with it?
Sue
July 18, 2017 at 7:27 pmI like couscous, Guilia, and some sort of green veggie like broccoli, green beans, or zucchini.
Taylor
July 29, 2015 at 5:55 pmI LOVE this! Keeping as a go-to lamb recipe, for sure.
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Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
April 30, 2014 at 9:54 amMuch as I love a good lamb chop, I don’t think I’ve ever made them at home. That’s going to change with this recipe, because YUM.
Velva
April 29, 2014 at 6:17 pmI have mixed feelings about Monday’s too (smile).
Your grilled lamb chops look delightful-what a great way to say summer is almost here.
Velva
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
April 29, 2014 at 6:01 amLike you, I’m not much of a chops kind of person, but I know for a fact that my husband would be in food heaven if I made some of these for him! Really, only 2 or 3 minutes each side? You’re right, so easy.
P.S. I can’t help thinking that a nice big Greek salad would go beautifully with this!
Kitchen Belleicious
April 29, 2014 at 5:30 amyour pictures make me drool. they are amazing and these pork chops could NOT look any more delicious
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
April 29, 2014 at 4:41 amSue – this is a home run! Easy, beautiful, juicy and delicious – I’m in! Your photos are incredible. So mouthwateringly beautiful! I haven’t eaten lamb chops in a long time.
Taryn @ The Wooden Spoons
April 28, 2014 at 9:34 pmThese look so tasty Sue. It’s coming into Winter in my part of the world, so I will be using my heavy griddle pan inside for the next few months. Love the idea of grilling the lemons too!
Penny
April 28, 2014 at 2:36 pmWhat a beautiful and simple dish Sue. Your pics are awesome. We used to eat lamb chops all of the time, but it has been a while. Will have to rectify that. You have inspired me. Simple good ingredients are always the best.
Sue
April 28, 2014 at 4:00 pmThanks Penny, I’ve actually inspired myself, too. I usually go for fish when I need a quick meal, now I’ll have a little more variety.
cheri
April 28, 2014 at 12:31 pmLove the grill marks on both the lamb and the lemons, beautiful pics Sue.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
April 28, 2014 at 10:16 amLove these flavors, you can never go wrong with lemon and thyme!
Julia @Vikalinka
April 28, 2014 at 9:38 amWhat a gorgeous recipe, I am sure there is nothing ‘minimal” about the taste of these chops!
Sue
April 28, 2014 at 9:48 amThanks Julia!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
April 28, 2014 at 7:20 amMy mouth is watering, Sue. These lamb chops look sensational.