Craving Outback’s most iconic chicken dish? You’re not alone. That perfect combination of juicy grilled chicken, savory mushrooms, and a blanket of melted cheese, all tied together with a tangy honey mustard sauce, is the stuff of legends. But what if I told you that you could skip the restaurant and make a flawless alice springs chicken right in your own kitchen? Well, get ready, because this is the only recipe you’ll ever need.
This outback alice springs chicken is more than just a meal; it’s a full-on flavor experience. We’ve broken down the process step-by-step to ensure your homemade version is just as delicious—if not more so—than the original. We’re talking tender, flavor-packed chicken, a rich and savory topping, and a signature sauce that will have you coming back for seconds.
Why This Recipe Works
This isn’t just another copycat recipe; it’s an upgrade. We’ve tested and tweaked every component to guarantee restaurant-quality results with minimal fuss.
- Perfectly Balanced Marinade: The key to the signature flavor is the honey mustard marinade. Ours strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tangy, ensuring the chicken is juicy and flavorful through and through.
- Step-by-Step Success: With detailed instructions and pro-tips, even novice cooks can master this dish. We leave no room for error.
- Authentic Restaurant Taste: We’ve captured the exact flavor profile that makes this one of the most popular outback steakhouse recipes. Close your eyes, take a bite, and you’ll swear you’re sitting in a cozy Outback booth.
- Customizable & Versatile: This recipe is a fantastic base. You can grill the chicken outdoors in the summer or use a grill pan indoors any time of year.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to success. Here’s your shopping list:
For the Chicken & Marinade:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each), pounded to ½-inch thickness
- ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping:
- 8 oz button or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 ½ cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese (or a mix of Monterey Jack and Cheddar)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or chives, for garnish
How to Make Alice Springs Chicken (Step-by-Step)
This recipe for alice springs chicken from outback is straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Honey Mustard Marinade In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, seasoned salt, and pepper until smooth. Reserve about ⅓ cup of the sauce to use for basting and serving later.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken Place the pounded chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the remaining honey mustard sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor.
Step 3: Cook and Mushrooms While the chicken marinates, in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set it on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about a tablespoon of grease in the skillet. Add the butter to the skillet, then add the sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms are browned and tender. Set aside.
Step 4: Grill the Chicken Preheat your grill or a stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Grill for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has beautiful grill marks. During the last few minutes of cooking, baste the chicken with some of the reserved honey mustard sauce.
Step 5: Assemble and Melt Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place the grilled chicken breasts in an oven-safe skillet or on a baking sheet. Top each piece of chicken with a generous portion of the sautéed mushrooms, followed by the crumbled, and finally, a handful of shredded cheese.
Step 6: Broil to Perfection Place the skillet or baking sheet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or just until the cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning! Garnish with fresh parsley or chives before serving.
Pro-Tips for Restaurant-Quality Results
- Don’t Skip Pounding the Chicken: Pounding the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness is the secret to a fast cooking time and incredibly juicy results.
- The Secret to Perfectly Melted Cheese: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of the pre-bagged kind. It melts much more smoothly without the anti-caking agents.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Whether you’re grilling or sautéing, give your ingredients space. Overcrowding will steam the food instead of searing it, robbing you of that delicious browned flavor.
- Let it Rest: Allow the finished alice’s spring chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and tender.
Serving Suggestions
The classic way to serve alice springs chicken is with a side of Aussie Fries (seasoned french fries), but it’s also fantastic with garlic mashed potatoes, steamed asparagus, or a fresh garden salad with ranch dressing.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken on a baking sheet and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This method prevents the chicken from becoming rubbery and re-crisps nicely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How to make alice springs chicken? A: You marinate chicken breasts in a honey mustard sauce, grill them until cooked, then top them with sautéed mushrooms, and Colby-Jack cheese. A final trip under the broiler melts the cheese to perfection.
Q: How do you make alice springs chicken? A: The process involves four main stages: marinating the chicken for flavor and tenderness, grilling it for a smoky char, preparing the savory mushroom topping, and finally, assembling and melting the cheese on top.
Q: What is alice springs chicken? A: Alice Springs Chicken is a signature dish from Outback Steakhouse. It features a grilled chicken breast marinated in honey mustard, then topped with sautéed mushrooms, and melted Colby-Jack cheese.
Q: What to serve with alice springs chicken? A: It pairs wonderfully with seasoned french fries, mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, asparagus, or a simple side salad.
Q: Why is it called alice springs chicken? A: The name comes from Outback Steakhouse’s Australian theme. Alice Springs is a real town in the Northern Territory of Australia. While the dish itself isn’t authentically Australian, the name fits the restaurant’s brand.
Printable Alice Springs Chicken Recipe
Alice Springs Chicken (Outback Copycat)
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Grill or Grill Pan
- Baking Sheet (or oven-safe skillet)
- Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Marinade
- 4 (6 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to ½-inch thickness
- ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Topping
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 ½ cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Make Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, seasoned salt, and pepper until smooth. Reserve about ⅓ cup of the sauce to use for basting and serving later.
- Marinate Chicken: Place the pounded chicken breasts in a large zip-top bag or a shallow dish. Pour the remaining honey mustard sauce over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
- Prep Toppings: While the chicken marinates, in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy and set it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble. Sauté the sliced mushrooms in the same skillet with butter until browned and tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Grill Chicken: Preheat a grill or stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade. Grill for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Assemble and Broil: Preheat your oven's broiler. Place the grilled chicken breasts on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe skillet. Top each piece with sautéed mushrooms, and a generous amount of shredded cheese.
- Melt Cheese: Place under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Even Cooking: Pounding the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness is crucial for ensuring it cooks quickly and stays juicy.
- Best Cheese Melt: For the creamiest, most delicious melt, shred your own block of cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Give the chicken and mushrooms plenty of space in their respective pans to achieve a proper sear rather than steaming them.
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