We haven't been out to a steakhouse in ages, but Max kept asking for "that chicken with the bacon mountain" he saw on TV. So, we decided to bring the restaurant home with this copycat Alice Springs Chicken recipe. It is honestly better than the original; juicy chicken breasts slathered in a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce, then piled high with savory mushrooms, crispy bacon, and a blanket of melted cheese.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Alice Springs Chicken
- How To Make Alice Springs Chicken
- What Pairs Well With Alice Springs Chicken
- Alice Springs Chicken Variations
- Equipment
- Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
- Top Tips for Best Alice Springs Chicken
- Alice Springs Chicken Frequently Asked Questions
- A Steakhouse Dinner at Your Table
- Related
- Alice Springs Chicken
Why You Will Love This Alice Springs Chicken
You will love this recipe because it turns a boring chicken dinner into a cheesy, savory masterpiece without needing a deep fryer. The homemade honey mustard marinade does double duty, keeping the meat incredibly tender while adding that signature zing you crave. It is a hearty, comforting meal that feels like a special occasion but is simple enough to whip up on a random Tuesday night.
How To Make Alice Springs Chicken
The secret to that restaurant flavor is layering. We start by marinating the chicken in a quick homemade honey mustard sauce, then searing it to lock in the juices. While the chicken rests, we sauté button mushrooms in butter and crisp up some bacon. We assemble the final dish by stacking the mushrooms, bacon, and a generous amount of Colby Jack cheese onto the chicken and baking it until bubbly and golden.
Alice Springs Chicken Ingredients
The Honey Mustard Marinade
- ½ cup Dijon mustard
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
The Chicken & Toppings
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 6 strips bacon; cooked until crispy
- 8 oz button mushrooms; sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter (for mushrooms)
- 1 ½ cups Colby Jack cheese; shredded (or a mix of Cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- Fresh parsley; chopped (for garnish)
Step by Step Method
Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Reserve half of the sauce for dipping later; use the other half to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight).
Prep the Toppings
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy; remove and crumble or chop into large pieces.
- In the same skillet (remove excess grease if needed), melt the butter and sauté the sliced mushrooms until they are soft and browned. Set aside.
Sear the Chicken
- Season the marinated chicken breasts with seasoned salt and paprika.
- Sear the chicken in the skillet over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown (it does not need to be fully cooked yet).
Assemble and Bake
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the seared chicken in a baking dish.
- Brush each breast with a little fresh honey mustard sauce.
- Top with the sautéed mushrooms, then the crispy bacon, and finally a generous mound of shredded cheese.
Melt and Serve
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with the reserved honey mustard sauce on the side.
MAX’S REACTION
"The cheese part is my favorite because it holds all the bacon in place so it doesn't fall off! The yellow sauce tastes like sweet candy mustard. I dipped my potatoes in it too."
What Pairs Well With Alice Springs Chicken
To get the full steakhouse experience like in the picture, you have to serve this with a hot baked potato or creamy mashed potatoes. Steamed broccoli or green beans add a nice pop of color and freshness to balance out the rich cheese and bacon topping.
Alice Springs Chicken Variations
Spicy Outback
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the honey mustard marinade. The heat plays really well against the sweetness of the honey and the salty bacon.
Mushroom Free
If you have picky eaters who dislike fungi, simply skip the mushrooms. The Alice Springs chicken recipe is still delicious with just the bacon, cheese, and honey mustard combo.
BBQ Twist
Swap the honey mustard sauce for your favorite BBQ sauce. It changes the flavor profile completely to a smoky, western-style chicken melt that is equally delicious.
One Pan Casserole
Chop the raw chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss with the marinade. Place in a baking dish, top with raw mushrooms, cooked bacon, and cheese, and bake as an Alice Springs chicken casserole.
Equipment
- Large skillet (cast iron works great)
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Baking dish (9x13)
- Meat mallet (for pounding chicken)
- Mom Tip: Pounding the chicken breasts helps them cook evenly so you don't end up with dry edges and a raw center.
Storage / Make Ahead / Serving Tips
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes. This helps re-crisp the bacon and melt the cheese nicely. The microwave tends to make the bacon rubbery.
Make Ahead
You can cook the bacon and mushrooms a day in advance. You can also marinate the chicken overnight to save time on dinner night.
Freezing
This dish freezes okay, but the dairy in the sauce might separate slightly upon thawing. It is definitely best enjoyed fresh or from the fridge.
Top Tips for Best Alice Springs Chicken
Do not skip the searing step! Searing the chicken adds flavor and color that you just can't get from baking alone. Also, shred your own cheese from a block if you can. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that prevents it from melting into that gooey, restaurant-style blanket you see in the photo. Finally, make sure to reserve fresh sauce for dipping before you put raw chicken in it to avoid contamination.
Alice Springs Chicken Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Alice Springs chicken?
It is named after Alice Springs, a town in Australia's Northern Territory, fitting the Australian theme of the Outback Steakhouse menu where this dish originated.
Is this gluten-free?
Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check your mustard and mayonnaise labels to be 100% sure there are no hidden additives.
Can I make this in an air fryer?
Yes! Cook the chicken at 370°F for 10 minutes, then add the toppings and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts.
What is the calorie count?
Alice Springs Chicken calories can be high due to the cheese and bacon. To lighten it up, use turkey bacon and half the amount of cheese.
A Steakhouse Dinner at Your Table
Making restaurant favorites at home saves money and lets us control exactly what goes into our food. This dish has become a family staple because it feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to pull together. If you are looking for more hearty meals to please a crowd, try our flavor-packed Italian Garlic Bread Sloppy Joes, the nutritious Maple Dijon Chicken Sweet Potato Bowls, or the decadent Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi Lasagna for a seafood twist.
Share your Alice Springs Chicken! Tag us @HannahCooking with #AliceSpringsChicken; we’re dying to see your version and hear about your homemade kitchen stories!
⭐️ Rate this Alice Springs Chicken recipe and let us know what twists or ingredients you used!
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Alice Springs Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whisk Dijon, honey, mayo, and lemon juice; reserve half and marinate chicken with the rest.
- Cook bacon until crispy in a skillet, then remove and crumble.
- Sauté mushrooms in the same skillet with butter until browned.
- Season chicken with salt and paprika; sear for 3–4 minutes per side.
- Place chicken in baking dish; top with sauce, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese.
- Bake at 375°F for 10–12 minutes until cheese melts and chicken is cooked.
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