This EASY Alice Springs Chicken, is a copycat of Outback Steakhouse’s recipe. This version starts with grilled chicken breast that’s been glazed with honey mustard sauce then topped with crisp bacon, sauteed mushrooms, and smothered in melted Monterey and Cheddar cheeses. This family-friendly recipe takes UNDER 10 ingredients and is ready in just 30-minutes!
What is Alice Springs Chicken?
Outback Steakhouse is best known for its steaks, of course, but one of their best-selling dishes is not steak at all. Alice Springs Chicken is one of their most popular menu items and it’s not hard to imagine why. Wood-fire grilled chicken breast is topped with sautéed mushrooms, crisp bacon, melted Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and glazed with honey mustard sauce. It is most often served with Aussie fries. The flavor combination is nothing short of amazing and the first time I had it I was hooked.
OK. So, Why is it called Alice Springs Chicken?
Outback Steakhouse is an American food chain that names their dishes after the lingo and places found in Australia. The chicken is named after a large town named Alice Springs which is found in the Northern Territory of Australia.
How is Alice Springs Chicken Cooked?
Some copycat recipes start with marinating the chicken in honey mustard and then pan sauteeing it on the stove. A real Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken is grilled — not pan sauteed. That distinction alone is what sets this recipe apart from the others. This is a difference you can taste by the flavors achieved from grilling the chicken and then glazing it with honey mustard dressing.
However, if an outdoor grill is not available to you, you can also grill this on a cast iron grill or cast-iron skillet [paid link] and finish it in the oven to avoid smoking up the kitchen. This will yield the most true-to-taste flavor.
How Do I make Alice Springs Chicken Sauce (Honey Mustard Sauce)?
The sauce used on Alice Springs Chicken is a Honey Mustard Sauce. Of course, you can make your own honey mustard, and many times, I do. However, in this shortcut recipe we are going to use a bottled honey mustard sauce. Here is an easy recipe if you prefer to make your own. [See Recipe Notes].
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Directions:
- In a small bowl, whisk [paid link] together mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
How Do I make Alice Springs Chicken?
What Ingredients are in Alice Springs Chicken?
- Chicken – boneless, skinless chicken breast halves work best.
- Salt and ground black pepper – I use fine Kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper
- Sliced mushrooms – I use baby Bella mushrooms, but white button mushrooms are also good in this recipe.
- Honey Mustard Sauce – prepared or homemade, both are great.
- Bacon – I like center cut bacon as I find it to be meatier but turkey bacon or precooked bacon may also be used.
- Monterey and Cheddar Cheese – I grate all my cheese just before use. This offers the best flavor. Colby Jack may be substituted.
- Fresh parsley – I prefer Italian flat-leaf parsley over curly parsley, it’s what I grow in my herb gardden.
- Prepare the Grill.
- Grill the Chicken.
- Sauté the Mushrooms.
- Fry the Bacon.
- Assemble the chicken.
- Melt the Cheese.
- Garnish.
- Serve.
LOOKING FOR MORE COPYCAT RECIPES?
Grilled Alice Springs Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey mustard sauce
- 4 chicken breast halves, boneless, skinless – about 6-oz portions
- 8 oz sliced white button or baby Bella mushrooms
- Salt and Ground Black pepper
- 4 slices Bacon, cut in half
- 1 cup Monterey & Cheddar Cheese Blend, shredded
- 1 tbsp fresh Flat leaf parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Grill. Pre-heat the grill to medium-high heat (about 350 degrees F).
- Grill the Chicken. Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill the chicken for 7 to 8 minutes per side or until a thermometer reads 165°F and the juices run clear. Remove from the grill and set aside to rest on a grill safe sheet pan [paid link], cast iron pan, or pizza stone.
- Sauté the Mushrooms. While the chicken cooks, in a small skillet, sauté the sliced mushrooms with 1 tsp oil. Sauté until the mushrooms have let out most of their liquid and have started to turn brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Fry the Bacon. Into the same pan, add the bacon slices. Cook until well-done turning as needed – about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove to a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- Assemble the chicken: Brush each seared chicken breast with 1 tbsp of honey mustard. Spoon sauteed mushrooms over the top. Place two halves of cooked bacon on top of each chicken breast. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of Monterey and Cheddar Cheese blend onto each breast.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the pan of prepared chicken breasts back onto the grill over indirect heat and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and starting to bubble.
- Garnish: Sprinkle each chicken breast with 1/2 teaspoon parsley before serving.
- Serve: Serve with extra honey mustard as a dipping sauce, if desired. For a complete meal, steam broccoli and add air fryer or baked french fries for a complete 30-minute meal.
Notes
- Nutrition is calculated based on the recipe as written. The addition or omission of ingredients will alter the nutritional information.
- To make Homemade Honey Mustard:
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- Directions:
- In a small bowl, whisk [paid link] together mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.
- Monterey and Cheddar Cheeses may be substituted with shredded Colby Jack Cheese.
The grilled flavor makes the difference and the honey mustard is amazing.
I really think so, too!
My favorite thing to order and happy to make it at home