Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease your baking dish with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil. Take the pork chops out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes while you prepare everything else.

Pat each pork chop completely dry on both sides using paper towels. Press firmly to remove as much surface moisture as possible.

Combine the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Stir well to distribute the brown sugar evenly throughout the mixture.

Brush or rub the olive oil over both sides of each pork chop, making sure to coat the entire surface. Use about 1/2 tablespoon per chop.

Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each pork chop, using all of it. Press the seasoning gently into the meat so it adheres well.

Place the seasoned pork chops in your prepared baking dish in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between each one if possible. Avoid overlapping or crowding them together.

Bake the pork chops in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, depending on their exact thickness. Start checking the internal temperature at the 15-minute mark by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of a chop, avoiding the bone. Pull them out when they reach 145°F internally.

Remove the baking dish from the oven and tent it loosely with aluminum foil. Let the pork chops rest for 5 minutes before serving.