Alice Springs Chicken

A Cheesy and Savory Restaurant Favorite

There are a lot of copycat recipes out there for Alice Springs Chicken, but this one is the real deal. You’d think you ordered it at the restaurant! You’re going to love all the cheese, bacon, mushroom, and honey mustard flavors infused together. The honey mustard sauce used for the marinade is especially delicious, so be sure to make extra for dipping the chicken in, when you serve it. You simply can’t go wrong with this chicken recipe!

What is Alice Springs Chicken?

Alice Springs Chicken is one of the most popular menu items at the Outback Steakhouse Restaurant. The dish is named for the town of Alice Springs in Northern Australia. And while people normally go to Outback Steakhouse for the steaks, this rich and hearty chicken gives any steak from the restaurant a run for its money!

How to Make Alice Springs Chicken (Step-by-Step)

1. First, start with the tangy honey mustard marinade. Combine Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice in a bowl. Use this mixture both as a marinade and a dipping sauce for after the chicken is cooked. Put about ⅓ of the marinade in a Ziplock bag with the chicken and marinate for 2 hours.
2. When the chicken is almost done marinating, cook the bacon and sauté the mushrooms and set aside. Remove the chicken from the bag and discard the marinade. In an ovenproof frying pan (a cast iron skillet works best and gives it the best flavor), heat oil over medium heat. Sear the chicken for a few minutes on each side, then remove the skillet from the heat.
3. Next, brush each seared chicken breast with a little of the honey mustard marinade. Make sure to save a little extra to serve on the side later. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika, then top each chicken breast with 2 slices of bacon. Spoon the sauteed mushrooms over the top, and sprinkle with cheese.
4. Finally, bake in the oven until the cheese is thoroughly melted and starting to bubble and the chicken is cooked through (165-degrees F). Sprinkle each chicken breast with parsley before serving, and serve with remaining honey mustard.

Grilling Alice Springs Chicken: A Delicious Alternative

Another great way to enjoy this recipe is by grilling the chicken instead of pan-frying it. This gives the chicken such a delicious, smoky barbecue flavor. I like to grill the chicken over medium-high heat for about 6 to 7 minutes on each side, flipping once. Of course, I still top it all off with the mushrooms, bacon, and cheese and bake it as directed in the recipe.

Tips for the Best Alice Springs Chicken

Flatten the chicken: The trick to even cooking is even thickness. If your chicken is really thick, use a meat mallet to pound out the chicken so it’s nice and even. I like to do this by placing the chicken in a Ziplock bag and pounding the outside of the bag until the chicken has even thickness.

Use cast iron: I don’t know what it is about cast iron pans, but they just make everything taste better. Especially chicken! They are oven safe so they transition easily from the stove top to the oven without any issues.

Best Sides to Pair with Alice Springs Chicken

Alice Springs Chicken pairs perfectly with a variety of delicious side dishes. Consider serving it with a baked potato, rice, or roasted vegetables to balance out the rich flavors of the chicken. Feeling indulgent? Serve it with our version of one of the customer-favorite side dishes from Outback Steakhouse – loaded mashed potatoes!
Orzo Rice
Perfect Baked Potato
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Baked Potato Wedges
Oven Roasted Green Beans
Lemon Brussels Sprouts