Name: Alice Springs Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs); ½ cup Dijon mustard; ½ cup honey; ¼ cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled; 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded; 1 cup mushrooms, sliced; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 tablespoon olive oil; Salt and pepper to taste; Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped

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Alice Springs Chicken is a mouthwatering delight featuring juicy chicken breasts marinated in a tangy honey mustard sauce, then topped with mushrooms, crispy bacon, and a melted layer of Colby Jack cheese. This hearty and flavorful dish brings restaurant-level comfort straight to your table, combining creamy, salty, and savory notes in every bite. Perfect for those who crave indulgent flavors, this recipe will please family and friends alike. Serve it with a side of steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal that’s ready in just under an hour. Alice Springs Chicken is a true crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for seconds!

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
½ cup Dijon mustard
½ cup honey
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup Colby Jack cheese, shredded
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:

Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice until smooth. Set aside ¼ cup of this sauce for dipping later. Place chicken breasts in a resealable bag and pour the remaining marinade over them. Seal and turn the bag to coat, then marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
Cook the Mushrooms: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until they’re soft and brown, about 5-7 minutes. Remove mushrooms and set aside.
Sear the Chicken: In the same skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Place marinated chicken in the skillet, cooking each side for about 5 minutes until golden brown.
Assemble and Bake: Top each chicken breast with mushrooms, bacon, and a generous amount of cheese. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve with reserved sauce for dipping.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 520 kcal | Servings: 4

The Story Behind Alice Springs Chicken

Alice Springs Chicken is inspired by a beloved Outback Steakhouse dish, named after the Australian town of Alice Springs, known for its rugged beauty and adventurous spirit. While Outback Steakhouse may be more widely known for its steaks, the Alice Springs Chicken has won its own following due to its unique flavor profile and comfort appeal. This recipe reflects the traditional Aussie approach to cooking, blending simple ingredients into a meal that’s hearty, satisfying, and made for sharing.

Outback’s Alice Springs Chicken combines chicken, a widely favored protein, with ingredients like honey mustard, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese—creating a dish that offers a balance of sweet, savory, and creamy textures. Each component adds depth to the meal: the honey mustard gives it a subtle sweetness, the mushrooms add earthiness, the bacon brings in a smoky crisp, and the cheese melts perfectly to tie all the flavors together.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Alice Springs Chicken is unique because it delivers a well-rounded meal in terms of flavor, nutrition, and ease of preparation. The marinade is the key to the chicken’s flavor—infusing it with the natural sweetness of honey balanced by the tanginess of mustard and the creaminess of mayonnaise. This base sauce doubles up as a dipping sauce, allowing for consistency and ease of preparation. The marinade also keeps the chicken incredibly moist and tender, even after being seared and baked, making each bite juicy and flavorful.

With mushrooms, bacon, and cheese in the mix, this dish is packed with protein, calcium, and essential vitamins, like B vitamins from the mushrooms and protein from the chicken and bacon. Plus, using a lean protein like chicken breast makes this a balanced, nutrient-dense meal with less fat than other meat-centric dishes.

Health Benefits of Key Ingredients

This recipe doesn’t just win on flavor—it has a few nutritional benefits as well:

Chicken Breast: A great source of lean protein, chicken breast is low in fat but high in nutrients. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a high-protein meal without excessive calories or fat.
Honey Mustard: Honey is a natural sweetener, and mustard provides antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a health-conscious way to add flavor to your meal.
Mushrooms: Known for their immune-boosting qualities, mushrooms provide fiber, B vitamins, and minerals like potassium, which are beneficial for heart health.
Bacon and Cheese: While often considered indulgent, bacon and cheese, in moderation, provide protein, calcium, and iron, all of which are beneficial for a balanced diet.

Why Alice Springs Chicken is Perfect for Any Occasion

This recipe is versatile enough to serve for a family dinner or at a gathering. With minimal prep and ingredients readily available at most grocery stores, it’s easy to make on a weeknight. Yet, its indulgent flavor profile and presentation make it just as suitable for a weekend dinner party or special occasion. The dish also pairs beautifully with various sides, from a simple green salad to roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes, making it adaptable to different preferences and dietary needs.

Easy Substitutions and Additions

Alice Springs Chicken can be easily adapted to suit various dietary preferences. Here are a few ideas:

Lighter Cheese Option: Substitute Colby Jack with a lower-fat cheese or a plant-based alternative if you prefer a lighter version.
Vegetarian Twist: For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken with hearty portobello mushrooms or even marinated tofu.
Bacon-Free Option: To keep it lower in saturated fat, leave out the bacon, as the mushrooms and cheese provide plenty of flavor.
Alternative Proteins: For those who want something heartier, you could replace chicken with a lean cut of pork or turkey.

Tips for Perfecting Your Alice Springs Chicken

Marinate Well: Allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavor, and overnight marinating can result in even more tender and juicy chicken.
Choose Your Cheese Wisely: Colby Jack is used here for its mild taste and excellent melt, but feel free to use what you have on hand, whether it’s mozzarella, sharp cheddar, or even a spicy pepper jack.
Keep an Eye on the Cooking Time: The chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F, but overcooking will make it dry. Using an oven thermometer can help ensure you get perfectly cooked chicken every time.

Pairing Suggestions

For a complete dining experience, serve Alice Springs Chicken with a simple side salad or roasted vegetables for added fiber and nutrients. If you’re in the mood for something heartier, mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes are great options, as their creamy or crispy textures complement the dish’s rich flavors. For a drink, a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with the creamy, cheesy aspect of the chicken, while a robust red like Merlot or Shiraz can match the smokiness of the bacon.

Conclusion

Alice Springs Chicken is more than just a copycat recipe—it’s a meal that brings people together. Its combination of tender chicken, savory bacon, and melted cheese, all infused with a honey-mustard marinade, makes it truly irresistible. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner, this dish is forgiving and simple to prepare. It’s a family favorite that’s likely to become a regular in your kitchen, satisfying every craving from savory to sweet, and proving that restaurant-quality food can be made right at home.