Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C)
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment; place a wire rack on top (optional but helps browning)
Pat pork chops dry with paper towels
Season both sides with salt and pepper
Optional: add garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and/or dried herbs
Optional: rub with a thin coat of olive oil or melted butter
Arrange pork chops on the baking sheet with space between them
Bake until the thickest part reaches 145°F (63°C), about 15–25 minutes depending on thickness
Remove from oven and rest 3–5 minutes before serving
Optional: for extra browning, broil 1–3 minutes at the end (watch closely)