Welcome to the world of mouthwatering, savory dishes! This present day, we are diving into an irresistible Alice Springs Chicken recipe, a full of fan favorite steakhouse classic that assemblages with an intension of tender chicken with crispy bacon, creamy honey mustard sauce, melted cheese, and caramelized onions with full of taste.
In case, you are arranging a cozy family dinner or looking for a recipe to impress at your next gathering, this dish is the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors and taste.
May be you are thinking that is, Best of all? Of course, You can easily recreate it at home without needing a trip to your local Outback Steakhouse or any other place.
However, this copycat recipe offers the same satisfying taste as the beloved Outback version, but with the added bonus of being quick, which easy and simple to make, and customizable to your personal preferences properly.
Now we are ready to go to walk you through every step of the procedure, by choosing the accurate ingredients for perfecting the cooking method absolutely. This is the time to roll up your sleeves and get ready to serve up a meal that will leave everyone at the table asking for seconds or more!
The Ingredient List
For making this Alice Springs Chicken recipe which come to life, may you need to assemble a few simple also necessary ingredients. No need to worry about anything too fancy here. In the list most of these are pantry staples or fresh produce items you may already have on hand or in your kitchen.
The Main Ingredients
- Chicken tenders (4 to 6 pieces): Those are the absolutely perfect cut for this recipe because they cook quickly and stay juicy in the dish.
- Bacon (6 strips): This for the crispy bacon topping which adds crunch and smokiness in the dish.
- Honey (½ cup): It is magical, and also this brings sweetness to the honey mustard sauce with taste.
- Stone ground Dijon mustard (½ cup): For a tangy and rich flavor to balance the sweetness of the honey properly.
- Mayonnaise (½ cup): This adds creaminess and depth to the honey mustard sauce fully.
- Salt (to taste): Very essential for seasoning the chicken and enhancing its flavors and taste.
- Black pepper (to taste): This adds a mild heat to the chicken seasoning & its taste.
- Yellow onion (1 medium): This is for caramelizing and topping the chicken deliciously.
- Butter (3 tablespoons): This adds richness and helps cook the onions and chicken properly.
- Shredded cheese (1½ cups): This is a blend of your selection, but cheddar or mozzarella works wonderfully here for that melty, gooey finish and garnishing.
- Avocado oil spray (for greasing): A full of nonstick spray or sprinkle make sure easy cleanup and prevents the chicken from sticking to the baking dish smoothly.
- Fresh parsley (for garnish): This is adding a touch of freshness and color to your finished dish properly.
Alternative Add ins and Substitutions
- Mushrooms: Here you can add sliced mushrooms in the time of cooking the onions for an earthy flavor and taste.
- Free of Gluten Version: Also you can use an out of gluten mayonnaise which ensure your bacon is fully free of gluten for a 100% free of gluten meal.
- Dairy Free Option: You have to swap the mayonnaise and cheese for an out of dairy alternatives like cashew cream and dairy free shredded cheese for the dish.
Here you can see that your ingredients are ready, so we can jump into the steps to make this delicious Alice Springs Chicken recipe with a touch of perfection!
One by Step Instructions
Prepare the Bacon
Here you can start by preheating your oven to 425°F. When it’s heating up, grab a sheet pan and line it with parchment paper. You can lay the strips of bacon onto the parchment paper, by ensuring they’re spaced out to allow the bacon to crisp properly.
You have to place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and let the bacon cook for about 15 to 18 minutes. Here the goal is to get the bacon nice and crispy, so you have to keep an eye on it towards the end of the cooking time to prevent burning the dish.
If it’s done, please remove the bacon from the oven and set it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease in it.
Make the Honey Mustard Marinade
When the bacon cooks, you can focus on the marinade for the chicken. Do that in a small bowl, combine together:
½ cup of honey
½ cup of stone ground Dijon mustard
½ cup of mayonnaise
Please shake these ingredients together until smooth all of these. And that creamy and tangy honey mustard sauce will coat the chicken and give it a delicious flavor foundation. You have to set aside half of the sauce for later use in the time of cooking.
Season the Chicken Tenders
In this stage, you have to take your chicken tenders and place them on a plate. Also season both sides with salt and black pepper to taste better. If the chicken is seasoned, spoon some of the honey mustard marinade over the chicken, by using about half of the sauce in the tenders.
You can flip the chicken over and coat the other side with the sauce. Set the chicken for rest, the chicken sit for about 5 minutes for absorbing the flavors completely.
Cook the Onions
Do this in a deep skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter over medium high heat. When the butter is melting, please peel and slice the yellow onion into thin strips in every piece.
If the butter is sizzling, you have to add the onions to the pan. And season with a pinch of salt and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions are softened and golden brown properly.
In this stage of cooking, if you want to add mushrooms, this is the perfect time to do that! However, the onions are done, transfer them to a small bowl and set aside all of these.
Brown the Chicken
Here you can add 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet and allow it for melting. Be careful to place the chicken tenders into the skillet, making sure they are in a single layer in it.
Just cook for 3 to 4 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip the chicken and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes.
If you want the chicken to be about two thirds of the way cooked, as it will continue cooking in the oven later after.
Assemble the Dish
By preheating your oven to 400°F. When it’s heating, lightly spray a casserole dish with avocado oil spray to prevent sticking from it. When the chicken is browned, transfer it to the casserole dish in a single layer or texture.
Please take the remaining honey mustard sauce and spoon it over the chicken fully. By making sure it’s well coated over. Now, top each piece of chicken with the caramelized onions, followed by the crispy bacon strips properly.
At last, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese on top of the chicken and bacon crispy dish.
Bake to Perfection
You can place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes or till the chicken is perfectly cooked through and the cheese is melted and fluffy.
In there the temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F when tested with a meat thermometer. If it done, you have to remove the dish from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley with a touch of perfection.
The Cooking Tips and Tricks
When you prepare your Alice Springs Chicken, please keep these chefs approved tips in mind for a perfect result always:
Use a Meat Thermometer: This is to ensure your chicken is cooked to the perfect temperature, also use a meat thermometer. Here the internal temperature should reach 165°F.
It is can help to avoid undercooking or overcooking, keeping the chicken juicy and tenderness.
Customize the Sauce: When you prefer a spicier kick, you can add a little hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the honey mustard sauce. May this will give the dish a bold, zesty flavor that perfectly complements the savory bacon fully.
Perfectly Crisp Bacon: This is for crispy bacon, please don’t overcrowd the strips on the sheet pan more. May be the bacon needs room to cook evenly.
When you are making extra bacon, store the leftovers in a vacuum container for another meal preparation.
Use a Nonstick Skillet: Please use a nonstick skillet which is essential for browning the chicken without sticking. May this also make cleanup easier, especially when cooking with butter or other soft ingredients.
Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: During the time of browning the chicken, avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cook in batches if needed, as this allows the chicken to cook evenly and achieve that golden, crispy exterior and a full of crunch border.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
Side Dishes
Here you have to pair your Alice Springs Chicken with these delightful sides:
Roasted Vegetables: The Roasted Brussels sprouts, carrots, or sweet potatoes are the perfect complement to this dish, adding color and texture with better garnishing.
Mashed Potatoes: This creamy mashed potato provide a comforting base to soak up the honey mustard sauce properly.
Garden Salad: An enlighten, crisp salad with fresh greens and a simple vinaigrette balances the richness of the chicken completely.
Grilled Asparagus: This is for the smoky, charred flavor of grilled asparagus. Which is a great way to enrich the savory profile of the chicken dish.
Beverage Pairings
For the beverages, you have to go with something that will complement the rich flavors of the dish with taste:
Chardonnay: For better taste, a crisp, medium bodied white wine pairs amazingly with the creamy and savory elements of the dish fully.
Iced Tea: This is for a non alcoholic option, a glass of iced tea with a slice of lemon provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken and also the dish.
Variations
So you want to mix things up? There are a few variations on the classic Alice Springs Chicken:
● BBQ Alice Springs Chicken: Just swap out the honey mustard sauce for your favorite barbecue sauce for a smoky, tangy twist and treat.
● Grilled Version: This is for a lighter alternative; you can grill the chicken instead of pan frying it for a smoky charred flavor and ambrosial fragrance.
● Vegetarian Option: Again swap the chicken for Portobello mushrooms, this is for a hearty, vegetarian version of the dish which complete with its variation!
Storage & Meal Prep Tips
Storing Leftovers
Once you have leftovers, store your Alice Springs Chicken in a vacuum container in the refrigerator. May this stay fresh for up to 3 days.
This is to reheat, place it in the oven at 350°F for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until it reaches your desired temperature. May this keep the chicken moist and the cheese bubbly fully.
Freezing Leftovers
In this stage, you can also freeze Alice Springs Chicken for later enjoyment. Also Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer safe container or bag or in other alternatives.
In case you’re ready to eat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven for better taste.
Meal Prep
This step is to make meal prep easier, cook a large batch of Alice Springs Chicken and portion it out into individual servings. Here you can pair it with your favorite sides (like roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes) and store it in meal prep containers.
& amp; this makes for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner during the week or any time of craving as your taste demand.
The Reason of You Will Love This Recipe
Flavorful Layers: By the combination of marinated chicken, savory bacon, sautéed mushrooms and onions, melted cheese, and tangy honey mustard sauce which creates a delightful balance of flavors that everyone will love to eat for its better taste.
Easy and Simple to Make: However, it may seem like a restaurant quality dish, Alice Springs Chicken is actually simple and very easy to prepare.
Here most of the time is spent on marinating and cooking the ingredients, and the oven does the rest properly.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Though it’s a casual family meal, a dinner party, or a weekend cookout, this dish fits the bill accurately. This is a guaranteed crowd pleaser that will leave everyone asking for the recipe and following method!
FAQs
How Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Well, chicken thighs work amazingly in this recipe! Also they’re juicier and more flavorful, though they may take a few extra minutes to cook through. You have to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F, not more than it.
May I make this recipe free of dairy?
Yes, you can! For making Alice Springs Chicken free of dairy, use an out of dairy cheese alternatives and opt for a dairy free mayonnaise for the honey mustard sauce. In there, several plant based cheese options on the market, so you won’t miss the creamy, melty goodness anymore!
May I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Also, you can prepare the chicken and marinate it the night before. Also you can cook it in advance, then reheat it in the oven when it ready to serve.
Is there any best way to store the honey mustard sauce?
Yes! There is a best way to do that. Store any leftover honey mustard sauce in a vacuum container in the fridge. By this it will stay fresh for up to a week.
Also you can make a double batch and use it as a dipping sauce for other meals and dishes!
May I use a different sauce instead of honey mustard?
Oh yes, Of course! Please, feel free to swap out the honey mustard sauce for your favorite sauce. For such as barbecue sauce or ranch dressing, for a different flavor profile and tasty scheme.
Final Thoughts
Alice Springs Chicken proposes the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy, and is guaranteed to become a household most favorite one. Just with a few simple ingredients and some easy steps of making methods, you will be able to make a dish that’s just as comforting as it is delicious. So, do not forget to try this different variation to make it your own, and enjoy it with a variety of sides to complete the meal with proper taste. Keep Happy cooking!
