Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken Recipe: A Taste of Down Under at Home

Outback Steakhouse’s Alice Springs Chicken is a beloved menu item, featuring grilled chicken breasts topped with sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and a luscious honey mustard sauce. This copycat recipe allows you to recreate this iconic dish in your own kitchen, delivering a burst of flavors that will transport you to the Australian-themed restaurant. While inspired by Australian themes, the dish itself originated in the United States at Outback Steakhouse.

Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken Recipe

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds)
2 tablespoons salted butter
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
2 cups Colby-Jack shredded cheese
Freshly chopped parsley
½ teaspoon seasoned salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Honey Mustard Sauce:

½ cup Dijon mustard
½ cup honey
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Method of Preparation

Prepare the Marinade:

Whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Reserve about 1/3 cup of marinade and store it in the fridge until ready to use for dipping. Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-lock bag, pound them to an even thickness, pour in the remaining marinade, seal the bag, shake to coat the chicken, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Cook Bacon:

Cook the bacon until crispy, then remove it from the pan and crumble or chop it.

Sauté Mushrooms:

In a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the mushrooms and sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Sauté until they turn brown, about 5 minutes. Place the mushrooms in a bowl and set them aside. Carefully wipe out the skillet.

Sear the Chicken:

Using the same skillet, heat the oil for a minute. Place the marinated chicken in the skillet, discarding any remaining marinade. Cook for 5 minutes on one side, or until golden brown. Flip each piece to the other side and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or until golden brown.

Assemble and Bake:

Place the cooked mushrooms over the top of each chicken breast in the skillet. Top with the bacon and shredded cheese. Place the skillet in the oven and bake until the cheese melts and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), about 10 minutes.

Garnish and Serve:

Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Serve each chicken breast with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and the reserved marinade for dipping.

Cooking Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t overcook the chicken: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to avoid dryness.
Use an oven-safe skillet: This simplifies the cooking process by allowing you to sear the chicken and bake it in the same pan.
Adjust marinade time: Marinating the chicken for at least an hour enhances its flavor and tenderness.

Serving Tips

Serve Alice Springs Chicken hot, straight from the oven. Offer the reserved honey mustard sauce as a dipping sauce. Sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad complement the dish.

Health Benefits of Ingredients

Chicken Breast: Provides a lean source of protein, essential for muscle building and overall health.
Mushrooms: Low in calories and rich in B vitamins, selenium, and potassium.
Honey: Contains antioxidants and may have antibacterial properties.

Why Everyone Loves This Dish

Alice Springs Chicken is a crowd-pleaser because of its combination of savory and sweet flavors, along with the satisfying textures of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and melted cheese. The honey mustard sauce adds a tangy sweetness that ties all the elements together.