The Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken recipe replicates a popular restaurant dish featuring tender chicken, bacon, mushrooms, and honey mustard sauce, finished with melted cheese. This recipe allows for the creation of this savory and sweet combination in a home kitchen using accessible ingredients. It is suitable for both special occasions and regular weeknight meals, offering restaurant-quality flavor within approximately 45 minutes.

Alice Springs Chicken, despite its name, is an Outback Steakhouse creation. The dish consists of grilled chicken breast topped with a honey mustard sauce, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, and Colby Jack and Monterey Jack cheese. It is characterized as a hearty and satisfying American comfort food with an Australian influence.

This recipe is favored for its ability to provide restaurant-quality results at home at a lower cost. The combination of honey mustard, bacon, mushrooms, and cheese is described as highly appealing. The recipe is also noted for its adaptability, allowing for variations in cheese, added vegetables, or conversion into a casserole. It is considered a family-friendly option.

What is Alice Springs Chicken?

Alice Springs Chicken is a dish offered by Outback Steakhouse. The name is derived from the Australian town of Alice Springs. The dish consists of grilled or seared chicken breast topped with a honey mustard sauce, sautéed mushrooms, bacon, and melted Colby Jack and Monterey Jack cheese.. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Enjoy restaurant-quality meals at home for a reduced cost and time investment.
• The combination of honey mustard, bacon, mushrooms, and melted cheese provides a consistently appealing flavor.
• This dish can be readily modified with various cheeses, vegetables, or prepared as a casserole.
• The recipe is well-received by all family members, including those with limited food preferences.
  

Copycat Outback Alice Springs Chicken Recipe

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes (plus optional 30 minutes marinating)
• Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Calories: ~550-650 per serving (depending on ingredients)

Ingredients

For the Honey Mustard Sauce:

• ½ cup Dijon mustard 
• ⅓ cup honey 
• ¼ cup mayonnaise 
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness) 

For the Chicken & Toppings:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total), pounded to ½-inch thickness for even cooking 
• Lowry’s Seasoning Salt (or salt, pepper, and garlic powder), to taste 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter, for searing 
• 8 oz mushrooms (cremini or white button), sliced 
• 1 tablespoon butter, for mushrooms 
• 6-8 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled 
• 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese (or a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar) 
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional) 

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Honey Mustard Sauce

In a small bowl, combine the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice (if using) until smooth. Reserve ¼ cup of this sauce for later use as a dipping sauce.

Step 2: Season and Marinate the Chicken

1. Prepare the chicken: Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even ½-inch thickness. This promotes uniform cooking and moisture retention.
2. Season the chicken: Apply Lowry’s Seasoning Salt, or a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, liberally to both sides of the chicken.
3. Marinate the chicken (optional, but advisable): Transfer the seasoned chicken to a shallow dish or a resealable bag. Cover the chicken with the majority of the honey mustard sauce, ensuring complete coating. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, or for up to 24 hours, to enhance flavor.

Step 3: Prepare the Toppings

1. Cook the bacon:in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Once cooled, crumble or chop the bacon.
2. Sauté the mushrooms: Remove all but approximately 1 tablespoon of bacon grease from the skillet, or melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes, or until they release their moisture and turn golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Sear the Chicken

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). 
2. Sear: Heat olive oil in the same large skillet, or a separate oven-proof skillet, over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, and discard the used marinade. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and sear for 3-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
3. Transfer: the seared chicken breasts to a 9×13 inch baking dish, or leave them in the skillet if it is oven-proof.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake

1. Layer: Spread a small amount of the remaining fresh honey mustard sauce over each seared chicken breast.
2. Add mushrooms: Top the chicken with the sautéed mushrooms.
3. Add bacon: Evenly sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the mushrooms.
4. Add cheese: Generously top each chicken breast with shredded Colby Jack cheese.
5. Bake: the dish in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F / 74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a more golden crust, broil for the final 1-2 minutes. 

Step 6: Serve

Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately with the reserved honey mustard sauce on the side. This dish is suitable for serving with mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, or a simple side salad.

Tips for Preparing Alice Springs Chicken

Tip	Why It Matters
Pound the chicken	Ensures even cooking and prevents dry, thick parts.
Don’t skip the sear	Creates a flavorful golden-brown crust and locks in juices.
Use freshly shredded cheese	Pre-shredded cheese contains starches that prevent it from melting smoothly. Freshly shredded melts into a glorious, gooey blanket.
Sauté mushrooms properly	Don’t crowd the pan; give them space to brown instead of steam.
Reserve extra sauce	Serving extra honey mustard on the side takes this dish over the top.

Variations & Substitutions

For a casserole, cube cooked chicken and layer it with potatoes or rice, then top with the sauce, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese. Alternative cheeses include Monterey Jack, mild cheddar, provolone, or smoked gouda. A pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce can be added to the honey mustard for a spicy element. Mushrooms can be replaced with caramelized onions or sautéed bell peppers. For a grilled version, marinate the chicken, grill it, then top with the ingredients and briefly return to the grill or oven to melt the cheese.

What to Serve with Alice Springs Chicken

Complementary sides for Alice Springs Chicken include creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice. Lighter options such as a green salad with vinaigrette or steamed green beans are also suitable. Oven-roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or carrots are another option.

• Classic: Creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice to soak up that extra honey mustard. 
• Light & Fresh: A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or steamed green beans. 
• Roasted Veggies: Oven-roasted asparagus, broccoli, or carrots. 

Storage & Reheating

• Storage:(Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days) Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 
• Reheating: For reheating, an oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through is recommended. Microwaving is an alternative, though it may affect the cheese texture.
• Freezing: The assembled, unbaked dish can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

Conclusion

This Copycat Outback Alice Springs Chicken is everything you love about the restaurant classic—tender chicken, smoky bacon, earthy mushrooms, and a blanket of melted cheese, all brought together with that irresistible honey mustard sauce. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s easier to make at home than you might think.

Whether it’s for a special dinner or a comforting weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your rotation.

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Recipe Card Summary

Prep Time	Cook Time	Total Time	Servings
15 mins	30-35 mins	45-50 mins	4

Nutritional Highlights (per serving, approximate):

• Calories: 550-650
• Protein: 45-50g
• Fat: 35-40g
• Carbohydrates: 15-20g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 10-15g