These delicious lamb rib chops are marinated in lemon, rosemary and garlic and baked to tender perfection. Serve them with some melted herb butter for an impressive main dish perfect for the holidays!
Baked Lamb Rib Chops Recipe
With the holidays approaching, what better time to make some lamb rib chops for an impressive dinner?! These easy marinated lamb chops are dressed in a mix of lemon, garlic, herbs and paprika to infuse them with great flavor before baking them to tender perfection.
If you are like me and stuck in the tundra during the winter, you don’t exactly want to go fire up your grill for some lamb chops. That’s why this Baked Lamb Chop recipe is so fantastic.
They take less than 15 minutes to bake and are finished with the broiler to get a nice golden brown caramelized finish on them.
Where can I buy lamb?
Not all grocery stores carry lamb chops so you may need to head to a higher end grocery store or your local butcher. You may notice there are two different types of lamb chops, lamb loin chops and lamb rib chops. These two cuts of meat are actually cut from two different parts of the lamb. For this recipe we are using lamb rib chops.
Fresh Vs. Frozen Lamb
Fresh meat is always going to be our preference for just about any recipe. The fact of the matter is that isn’t always an option for everyone. If you need to use frozen lamb chops, plan accordingly as they will take longer to prepare. Thaw the lamb chops under cold water to speed up the process.
Lamb Marinade
- Olive oil
- Fresh lemon juice
- Smoked paprika
- Fresh rosemary
- Garlic cloves
- Ground black pepper
- Salt
Mix all lamb marinade ingredients to a shallow container and mix until well combined. Place the lamb chops in the marinade and turn until well coated. Let the lamb chops marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
How to bake lamb chops in the oven?
Preheat your oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and top with a cooling rack.
Place the chops in a single layer on the rack. Space them out well so they can brown. If they are crowded you won’t get as nice of a caramelization on them.
Bake the lamb chops uncovered until cooked through, about 12-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 130°-135°F for medium doneness. Broil under the broiler for the last 3-5 minutes on medium heat to caramelize the tops and it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
Allow the lamb chops to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will keep the juices in the meat, as opposed to cutting into them and loosing all that juice.
When Are Lamb Chops Done?
Lamb chops are like steak that you can cook them to your preference of doneness. Here is the temperature you will want to aim for depending on how well done you want them.
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How to serve lamb chops
Whip up a quick herb butter to serve on top of the lamb chops. The mix of melted butter with fresh herbs is the perfect finishing touch to a wonderfully flavorful and tender lamb chop.
What to serve with lamb
Here are a few great side dishes that pair perfectly with the rich flavors of lamb chops.
- Honey Roasted Beets & Carrots
- Smoked Vegetables
- Asparagus & Feta Quinoa Salad
- Roasted Lemon Potatoes, Broccoli & Peppers
- Fried Mashed Potato Balls
Marinated Lamb Chops
Ingredients
- 8 lamb chops
Marinade
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
Serving
- herb butter
- lemon wedges
Instructions
- In a large shallow dish, stir together olive oil, lemon juice, rosemary, garlic, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Add the lamb chops and turn to coat in the marinade. Cover the dish with plastic and let marinate for 30-60 minutes at room temperature.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and top with a cooling rack. Arrange the marinated lamb chops in a single layer on the rack.
- Bake at 375°F for 12-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 130°-135°F for medium-well doneness. Broil under the broiler for the last 3 minutes on medium heat to caramelize the tops if desired where they will reach an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Allow the lamb chops to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving with herb butter and lemon wedges.
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