Alice Springs Chicken is a showstopper dish that brings a taste of the Outback to your own kitchen, offering a flavorful and surprisingly simple weeknight meal solution. This restaurant-quality recipe guarantees a delicious and satisfying experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Key Ingredients for Alice Springs Chicken
- Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
- All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Butter: 2 tablespoons
- Mushrooms: 8 ounces, sliced (cremini or white button)
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Chicken Broth: 1 cup
- Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup
- Worcestershire Sauce: 1 teaspoon
- Dijon Mustard: 1 teaspoon
- Bacon: 4-6 slices, cooked until crisp and crumbled
- Monterey Jack Cheese: 1 cup, shredded
- Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Alice Springs Chicken
This Alice Springs Chicken recipe is a symphony of tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a rich, creamy sauce topped with smoky bacon and melted cheese. It’s surprisingly easy to whip up, making restaurant-style dining achievable in your own home. Expect to spend about 45 minutes, including prep and cook time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Chicken: Begin by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures that the chicken cooks through evenly. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken breast in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, carefully add the floured chicken breasts. Sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and a nice crust has formed. The chicken will not be cooked through at this stage; that will happen in the oven. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Sauté the Mushrooms and Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced mushrooms to the same skillet (no need to clean it, the browned bits add flavor!). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are softened and nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Bring the broth to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Whisk everything together until well combined. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 3-5 minutes, until it thickens slightly.
Melt the Cheese: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet with the simmering sauce. Spoon some of the mushroom and sauce mixture over each chicken breast. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top of each chicken breast.
Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly, with a few golden-brown spots.
Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish generously with the crispy crumbled bacon and chopped fresh parsley, if using. Allow the Alice Springs Chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Alice Springs Chicken
You’ll absolutely adore this Alice Springs Chicken for its incredible flavor profile and how it transforms simple chicken breasts into a gourmet meal. The star of the show is undoubtedly the luscious, creamy mushroom sauce that drapes over the perfectly seared chicken, complemented by the irresistible crunch of bacon and gooey melted cheese.
Making this at home is a fantastic way to save money compared to ordering a similar dish at your favorite restaurant, proving that delicious, restaurant-quality food doesn’t have to break the bank. If you love the comforting flavors of chicken dishes like Chicken Marsala but crave something with a bit more of a savory kick and a cheesy finish, this Alice Springs Chicken is going to be your new go-to. Come on, give it a try and bring a little bit of Outback magic to your dinner table!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing and reheating your delicious Alice Springs Chicken will ensure you can enjoy those amazing flavors again.
- Refrigeration: Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Refrigerated Alice Springs Chicken will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: If you wish to freeze for a longer period, ensure the chicken is completely cooled. Place it in a freezer-safe airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Frozen Alice Springs Chicken can be kept for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating:
- Oven Method: The best way to reheat is in the oven to preserve the texture of the chicken and sauce. Place individual portions on a baking sheet or in a small oven-safe dish. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You may want to cover it loosely with foil to prevent the top from drying out or burning if reheating for a longer period.
- Stovetop Method: For a quicker reheat of a single portion, you can place it back in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to help loosen the sauce. Stir gently until warmed through. Be mindful not to overcook, as the chicken could become dry.
- Microwave Method: While possible, the microwave can sometimes make chicken a bit rubbery. If using, place a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover it loosely, and reheat on medium power in 30-second intervals, checking and turning until heated through.
Final Thoughts
This Alice Springs Chicken recipe is a true winner, offering an explosion of delicious flavors and a satisfyingly creamy texture that your family will adore. Don’t hesitate to whip up this incredible dish at home – it’s simpler than you think and incredibly rewarding!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Alice Springs Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Begin by pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch. This ensures that the chicken cooks through evenly. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken breast in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter is melted and the pan is hot, carefully add the floured chicken breasts. Sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and a nice crust has formed. The chicken will not be cooked through at this stage; that will happen in the oven. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.2 tablespoons Olive Oil, 2 tablespoons Butter
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced mushrooms to the same skillet (no need to clean it, the browned bits add flavor!). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are softened and nicely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.8 ounces Mushrooms, 2 cloves Garlic
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Bring the broth to a simmer. Stir in the heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Whisk everything together until well combined. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 3-5 minutes, until it thickens slightly.1 cup Chicken Broth, 1/2 cup Heavy Cream, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet with the simmering sauce. Spoon some of the mushroom and sauce mixture over each chicken breast. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top of each chicken breast.1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly, with a few golden-brown spots.
- Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish generously with the crispy crumbled bacon and chopped fresh parsley, if using. Allow the Alice Springs Chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.4-6 slices Bacon, 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley