This grilled chicken on the barbie Outback recipe gives you juicy chicken with a smoky char, a garlic and lemon marinade, and a creamy honey mustard sauce.
It is a homemade copycat, not the official Outback recipe. The chicken marinates while you do other things, and the grilling takes about 12 minutes.
In this article, we have covered the ingredients, step by step instructions, the honey mustard sauce, indoor cooking options, calories, storage, and fixes for common problems.
What Is Grilled Chicken on the Barbie?
Chicken on the Barbie is a grilled chicken breast dish served at Outback Steakhouse. “On the barbie” is Australian slang for cooking on the barbecue. Outback does not share its exact recipe, so this version is a homemade match built from the same basic ideas. You can check the Outback menu to see how the restaurant describes its own dish.
The dish has four main parts:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast.
- A flavorful marinade.
- A charred, grilled outside.
- Honey mustard sauce on the side.
If you get these four parts right, the chicken tastes close to the restaurant version. Everything else in this guide just helps you hit them more often.
Why This Recipe Works?
Good grilled chicken depends on a few small habits, not fancy tricks. Here is what each one does and why it matters.
- Even thickness: Thick breasts cook slower in the middle, so the thin ends dry out first. Pounding or slicing them fixes that.
- A simple marinade: Oil carries flavor into the meat. Lemon adds brightness. Garlic, herbs, and spices do the seasoning.
- A hot grill: Medium high heat, around 400°F, sears the outside fast and gives you those dark grill marks.
- A short rest: Five minutes off the heat lets the juices settle back into the meat.
Skip one of these and the chicken still tastes fine. Skip two and you will probably notice dry spots.
Ingredients for Grilled Chicken on the Barbie
This recipe serves 4. Most of the ingredients are probably in your kitchen already. A pack of chicken breasts usually runs about $8 to $12 at a regular US grocery store, depending on where you live.
- Chicken: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
- Marinade: 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Honey mustard sauce: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons honey, 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Optional toppings: 4 slices cooked bacon, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped fresh parsley.
The optional toppings are not part of the basic recipe. Plain grilled chicken with honey mustard is already a full meal, so add the extras only if you want the loaded version.
How to Make Grilled Chicken on the Barbie Outback Recipe?
This is the main part of the recipe. Read all the steps once before you start. The marinating time is the only part that needs planning, so start there.
- Prepare the chicken. Trim any extra fat. Slice thick breasts in half sideways or pound them to an even thickness. Pat them dry with paper towels.
- Make the marinade. Add all the marinade ingredients to a large bowl or zip bag. Whisk until the mixture looks smooth and well mixed.
- Marinate the chicken. Coat each piece fully. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Do not go overnight, because the lemon juice starts breaking down the meat and makes it mushy.
- Heat the grill. Preheat to 400°F to 425°F. Scrape the grates clean and wipe them lightly with oil. Wait until the grill is fully hot before the chicken goes on.
- Grill the chicken. Lay the chicken on the grill and cook 5 to 6 minutes per side. Thicker pieces need a little longer. Leave it alone so a good crust can form.
- Check the temperature. Push a meat thermometer into the thickest part. The chicken is done at 165°F, which matches the USDA safe temperature chart.
- Add the toppings if you want them. Brush on honey mustard, then add bacon and cheddar. Close the lid for about a minute so the cheese melts.
- Rest and serve. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes. Slice it and serve with extra sauce.
For better grill marks, set each piece down at an angle and rotate it a quarter turn halfway through each side. I find this works best when the grill is really hot, otherwise the chicken just sticks.
How to Make Outback Style Honey Mustard Sauce?
The sauce is half the reason people love this dish, so it gets its own section. Use the amounts from the ingredient list above. Dijon gives a sharper tang, but yellow mustard works if that is what you have.
Whisk everything in a bowl until smooth. Taste it before you serve. If it feels too sweet, add a little more lemon juice or mustard. If it tastes too sharp, add a teaspoon of honey. Chill it until the chicken is ready.
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep it in its own container, not on the chicken, so the chicken stays firm when you reheat it.
Grilled Chicken on the Barbie Without an Outdoor Grill
No grill, no problem. A grill pan or a cast iron skillet gets you very close, and both work with the same marinade and the same 165°F target. The skillet gives a golden crust, while the grill pan gives you stripes.
| Method | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Grill pan | Preheat over medium high heat. Brush with a little oil. Cook 5 to 6 minutes per side, turning once. |
| Cast iron skillet | Heat the pan well. Add a small amount of oil. Sear both sides, then lower the heat and cook until the thickest part hits 165°F. |
Open a window or turn on the vent fan. Marinated chicken can smoke a little indoors, and that is normal.
Tips for Juicy Outback Style Grilled Chicken
Some of the best tips are about what not to do. These extras go beyond the steps above and help you avoid the most common slip ups.
- Do not press the chicken down with a spatula. It squeezes out the juices.
- Do not flip the chicken more than once.
- Take it off the grill right at 165°F, since breasts dry out quickly past that point.
- Keep a thermometer handy. Guessing by color is unreliable.
A cheap digital thermometer costs about $10 to $15 and saves a lot of dry dinners.
What to Serve with Chicken on the Barbie?
Simple sides work best here. The chicken and sauce already carry plenty of flavor, so you do not need anything complicated next to it.
- Rice pilaf.
- Baked potato.
- Grilled vegetables.
- Caesar salad.
- Steamed vegetables.
- Roasted broccoli.
Honey mustard is the best sauce for this dish. If someone at your table prefers something smoky, BBQ sauce makes a good backup. Set both on the table and let people choose.
Grilled Chicken on the Barbie Outback Calories?
People often search for the calories in the restaurant dish. This section covers the homemade version only. The exact Outback nutrition numbers can differ, so check the restaurant’s own information for those.
| Version | Estimated calories per serving |
|---|---|
| Chicken only, with marinade | About 230 to 300 |
| Chicken with 2 tablespoons honey mustard | About 330 to 420 |
| Chicken with sauce, bacon, and cheddar | About 500 to 650 |
These are rough estimates. Your numbers change with the size of the chicken breast, how much marinade clings to the meat, how much sauce you use, and what sides you add.
To lower the calories, try these changes:
- Use less cheese or skip it.
- Cut the bacon.
- Serve the sauce on the side and use a spoonful instead of a drizzle.
- Pair the chicken with vegetables instead of potatoes.
Even small changes add up. Dropping the cheese and bacon alone saves a few hundred calories.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Chicken?
Cooked chicken keeps well if you handle it right. Cool it quickly, then store it in the right place. The USDA leftovers guidance says to refrigerate food within two hours.
- Refrigerator: Use an airtight container and eat within 3 to 4 days. Keep the sauce separate.
- Freezer: Wrap pieces tightly or use a freezer bag. For best taste, use within 2 months.
- Reheating: Warm the chicken in a covered skillet with a splash of water or broth. Use low to medium heat and stop as soon as it is warm.
Chicken breast dries out fast when reheated hard. Gentle heat is the whole trick.
Common Problems When Making Chicken on the Barbie
If something went wrong, match your problem to the table below. Most issues come down to heat, thickness, or moisture on the chicken.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Dry chicken | Overcooked, too thin, or grill too hot | Use a thermometer and pull at 165°F |
| No grill marks | Grill not hot, chicken too wet, or moved too much | Preheat fully, pat dry, and leave it alone |
| Uneven cooking | Different thicknesses | Pound or slice every piece evenly |
| Sticking to the grates | Dirty grates, low heat, or no oil | Scrape clean, preheat, and oil lightly |
If you fix just one thing, fix the heat. A properly hot grill solves most of these problems and helps the chicken cook evenly, develop a nice golden-brown color, and get those delicious grill marks. Make sure the grill is fully heated before you place the chicken on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chicken on the Barbie at Outback Steakhouse?
It is a grilled chicken breast dish served with honey mustard sauce.
How long do you grill chicken on the barbie?
About 5 to 6 minutes per side at 400°F to 425°F, depending on thickness.
What temperature should grilled chicken reach?
165°F in the thickest part.
What sauce comes with Chicken on the Barbie?
Honey mustard is the classic choice. BBQ sauce also works.
Can I make Chicken on the Barbie without a grill?
Yes. Use a grill pan or a cast iron skillet over medium high heat.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Thighs stay juicier and forgive overcooking. Still cook them to 165°F.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
30 minutes to 2 hours is enough. Longer can make the texture mushy.
How many calories are in Chicken on the Barbie?
The homemade version runs about 230 to 300 calories for chicken alone. Sauce, bacon, and cheese add more.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Marinate it up to 2 hours ahead, or grill it and reheat gently the next day.
Final Thoughts
You now have everything you need to make a juicy and flavorful copycat Chicken on the Barbie at home. Keep the chicken pieces even in size, marinate them for 30 minutes to 2 hours, and cook them on a properly hot grill.
Grill until the chicken reaches 165°F in the center, then let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Finish it with honey mustard for that classic sweet and tangy flavor.
Plan this easy recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Pick up the chicken and prepare the marinade after work, then fire up the grill when you are ready to cook. With a little preparation, you can have a tasty homemade dinner on the table without much extra effort.
