Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken – An Organized Chaos Recipe

Steakhouse’s Alice Springs Chicken is one of those for me. It’s not something I make every single week, but when I do, it’s always met with enthusiasm. The combination of tender chicken, savory mushrooms, crispy bacon, and that melty cheese sauce is truly satisfying.

Why This Comfort Food Chicken Works

This Alice Springs Chicken recipe captures the essence of the popular Outback dish by focusing on key flavor profiles and textures. The tender grilled chicken provides a sturdy base, while the sautéed mushrooms add an earthy depth.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 4-6 slices)
• 1/4 cup white wine (optional, but recommended for flavor)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce for added depth

Once you have everything prepped and ready to go, you’re well on your way to enjoying this fantastic chicken dish.

How to Make It

1. Prepare the Chicken: Start by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch. This ensures they cook uniformly. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Grill or Pan-Sear the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, or heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and nicely browned.
3. Sauté the Mushrooms and Onions: In the same skillet (or a separate one if you didn’t use an oven-safe skillet), melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and chopped onion.
4. Add Garlic and Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Deglaze (Optional): If using white wine, pour it into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer and reduce by about half. If not using wine, you can skip this step or use a splash of chicken broth.
6. Create the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Incorporate Bacon: Stir in the crumbled cooked bacon into the cheese sauce.
8. Assemble and Bake (Optional): If you used an oven-safe skillet, place the cooked chicken back into the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon a generous amount of the mushroom, bacon, and cheese sauce over each chicken breast.
9. Bake to Perfection: Place the skillet or baking dish into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and heated through, and the cheese is nicely melted.
10. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately.

Following these directions will lead you to a delicious and satisfying Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken that’s sure to become a regular in your home cooking rotation.

Nutrition at a Glance

• Protein: Primarily from the chicken, providing essential amino acids.
• Fat: Contributed by the cheese, bacon, and cream, offering richness and satiety. This is a key component that makes the dish feel indulgent.
• Carbohydrates: Minimal, mainly from the small amount of onion and any wine used, keeping this dish relatively low in carbs.
• Vitamins and Minerals: Mushrooms offer some B vitamins and selenium, while chicken provides iron and zinc.
• Sodium: This can vary depending on the bacon and added salt, so it’s worth being mindful of if you’re monitoring intake.

It’s a hearty meal that can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, with the understanding that it is an indulgent dish rather than an everyday staple for calorie-conscious eating.

How to Serve It

• Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or a medley of root vegetables roasted until tender and slightly caramelized make for a healthy and colorful accompaniment.
• Mashed Potatoes: A classic pairing that absorbs the delicious cheese sauce wonderfully. Creamy garlic mashed potatoes or even a lighter sweet potato mash are excellent choices.
• Steamed Rice: A simple bed of white or brown rice provides a neutral base that allows the flavors of the chicken and its topping to shine.
• Side Salad: A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette can offer a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken. Think a simple garden salad or a more substantial Caesar.
• Baked Potatoes: A hearty baked potato, plain or with a dollop of sour cream and chives, is also a substantial and fitting side.

No matter which side you choose, this Alice Springs Chicken makes for a restaurant-quality meal right at your dinner table.

Common Mistakes

• Overcooking the Chicken: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Pounding them to an even thickness and not overcooking them, whether on the grill or in the pan, is crucial for tenderness.
• Mushrooms Releasing Too Much Water: When sautéing mushrooms, it’s important to give them space in the pan and let them brown properly. If the pan is too crowded, they’ll steam instead of sear, leading to a watery, less flavorful result.
• Not Thickening the Sauce Enough: The cream sauce is a vital component. If it’s too thin, it won’t coat the chicken well. Simmering it gently allows it to reduce and thicken naturally.
• Under-seasoning: Both the chicken and the sauce need adequate seasoning. Salt and freshly ground black pepper should be used generously throughout the cooking process, especially on the chicken before it’s cooked, and then adjusted in the sauce at the end.
• Burning the Garlic: Garlic cooks very quickly. Adding it too early in the sautéing process or cooking it at too high a heat can lead to a bitter taste in the dish. It’s best added towards the end of the mushroom and onion sauté.
• Skipping the Deglazing Step (If Using Wine): If you opt for the white wine, don’t neglect to scrape up those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. They hold a lot of flavor and contribute significantly to the overall depth of the sauce.

Avoiding these common errors will help you achieve the authentic, delicious Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken flavor you’re aiming for.

Don’t miss this delicious recipe: Ina Garten Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Recipe

Storage and Reheating

Leftover Alice Springs Chicken can be a welcome encore to the initial meal. Storing and reheating it properly ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness again:

• Storage: Cool the chicken completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It’s best to store any leftover sauce separately if possible, especially if you plan to reheat the chicken in the oven.
• Reheating: The best method for reheating is often in the oven to restore some of the saucy texture and prevent the chicken from becoming rubbery.

With a little care, those tasty leftovers can be just as enjoyable as the first serving.

Leftover Ideas

• Chicken Salad Sandwiches: Chop the leftover chicken and mix it with mayonnaise, celery, a touch of mustard, and perhaps some of the leftover cheese sauce for an incredibly rich and flavorful chicken salad. Serve on toasted bread or in lettuce wraps.
• Loaded Baked Potatoes: Shred or dice the leftover chicken and spoon it over a freshly baked potato. Top with a little extra cheese and some chopped chives for a quick and satisfying lunch or light dinner.
• Quesadillas or Melts: Chop the chicken, mix with some of the mushroom and bacon mixture if available, and use it as a filling for quesadillas with your favorite cheese. Alternatively, place the chicken on toasted bread with cheese and grill like a melt.
• Pasta Sauce Addition: Dice the chicken and add it to a quick marinara or Alfredo sauce for pasta. The savory chicken and mushroom flavors will elevate a simple pasta dish.
• Stuffed Bell Peppers: Mix the chopped chicken with cooked rice or quinoa, some of the mushroom mixture, and a binder like a bit of cheese or a light white sauce. Stuff into bell peppers and bake until tender.

These ideas are great for reducing food waste and enjoying the delicious flavors of this dish in new and exciting ways throughout the week.

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