Copycat Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken Recipe
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| Bring home that steakhouse comfort with juicy chicken under smoky bacon, buttery mushrooms, melted cheese, and sweet-tangy honey mustard. |
If you love Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken, this easy homemade version brings that same sweet, savory, cheesy comfort right to your kitchen. It has juicy chicken, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, gooey melted cheese, and a creamy honey mustard sauce that ties it all together. It tastes like a restaurant dinner, but it’s simple enough for a weeknight meal.
This copycat Alice Springs Chicken recipe is great for family dinners, casual get-togethers, or anytime you want something hearty and satisfying. And the best part? You don’t need fancy tools or hard-to-find ingredients.
A Little Background on Outback Steakhouse and Alice Springs Chicken
Outback Steakhouse is known across the USA for big flavors, steakhouse comfort food, and those memorable dishes people crave long after dinner is over. While the restaurant has an Australian-inspired theme, its menu has become a true American favorite.
Alice Springs Chicken is one of those standout dishes. It’s known for layers of flavor and texture. Think tender chicken breast topped with smoky bacon, buttery mushrooms, melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, and a rich honey mustard sauce that’s tangy, sweet, and creamy all at once. Every bite is warm, savory, and just a little indulgent.
The name Alice Springs Chicken is associated with Outback Steakhouse, so this post is sharing a copycat version inspired by the restaurant dish. We are not claiming this is the official recipe, only a homemade take on a popular favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Alice Springs Chicken
- Easy to make with simple grocery store ingredients
- Restaurant-style flavor at home for less money
- Family-friendly and filling
- Great for meal prep because leftovers reheat well
- Customizable for gluten-free, low-carb, and dairy-free needs
If you’ve ever wanted to recreate your favorite steakhouse chicken at home, this is a great place to start.
Ingredients
Servings: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: About 50 minutes
For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
For the honey mustard sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the topping:
- 8 slices bacon
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese or a mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, optional for garnish
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet
- Baking dish or oven-safe skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or spoon
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
- Cutting board and knife
A meat thermometer really helps here. Chicken can go from juicy to dry fast, and this takes out the guesswork.
How to Make Copycat Alice Springs Chicken
Step 1: Preheat the oven.
Set your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or make sure your skillet is oven-safe if you plan to finish everything in one pan.
Step 2: Make the honey mustard sauce.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, yellow mustard, and lemon juice. Stir until smooth and creamy. Taste it. You want a balance of sweet and tangy. If you like it sweeter, add a little more honey. If you like more zip, add a touch more Dijon.
Step 3: Season the chicken.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them brown better. If the breasts are very thick, you can pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly. Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
Step 4: Cook the bacon.
Place the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crisp, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled slightly, cut or crumble into large pieces. Leave about 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the pan for extra flavor.
Step 5: Sauté the mushrooms.
Add the butter and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring now and then, until the mushrooms are soft and lightly browned. They should smell rich and earthy. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
Step 6: Sear the chicken.
Add the olive oil to the skillet if needed. Place the chicken in the pan over medium to medium-high heat. Sear for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, just until lightly golden. You are not cooking it all the way through yet. This step builds flavor and gives the chicken a nice color.
Step 7: Add the sauce.
Place the seared chicken in the prepared baking dish if it’s not already in an oven-safe pan. Spoon a generous amount of honey mustard sauce over each piece. Save a little sauce for serving if you’d like. It’s delicious drizzled on top at the end.
Step 8: Add the toppings.
Top each chicken breast with sautéed mushrooms, then bacon, then a big handful of shredded cheese. Be generous. This is the part that gives the dish that steakhouse look and that bubbly, melty finish.
Step 9: Bake.
Bake uncovered for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part. That temperature matters for food safety, so check with a meat thermometer rather than guessing.
Step 10: Rest and serve.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices settle back into the meat. Spoon over extra honey mustard sauce if desired and sprinkle with parsley.
What It Tastes Like
This dish hits that sweet spot between comfort food and steakhouse dinner. The chicken is juicy and savory. The bacon adds smoky crunch. The mushrooms bring a deep, buttery flavor. Then the cheese melts over everything like a cozy blanket. Finally, the honey mustard sauce adds creamy sweetness with just enough tang to keep each bite from feeling too heavy.
If you ask me, it’s the kind of dinner that makes people go quiet for a minute because they’re too busy eating.
What to Serve with Alice Springs Chicken
This Outback Steakhouse chicken copycat recipe goes well with lots of side dishes. Try any of these:
- Mashed potatoes
- Baked potatoes
- Steamed broccoli
- Green beans
- Roasted asparagus
- Side salad
- Buttered rice
- Mac and cheese for an extra comfort-food dinner
Want a full steakhouse-style meal at home? Add warm rolls and a crisp salad and you’re set.
Time-Saving and Easy Home Kitchen Shortcuts
If you want to make this recipe even easier, here are a few helpful shortcuts.
- Use pre-cooked bacon: Great for busy weeknights. Just crisp it slightly in a skillet or microwave if you want more texture.
- Buy pre-sliced mushrooms: One less thing to prep.
- Use thin-sliced chicken breasts: They cook faster and more evenly.
- Shred your own cheese or use bagged cheese: Freshly shredded melts a bit better, but bagged cheese is totally fine for convenience.
Air fryer option:
Cook the seasoned chicken in the air fryer at 375°F for about 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway if needed. Then top with sauce, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese and return to the air fryer for 2 to 4 more minutes until the cheese melts and the chicken reaches 165°F.
Casserole-style option:
Cut the chicken into large chunks, lightly brown it, and layer it in a casserole dish with sauce, mushrooms, bacon, and cheese. Bake until cooked through. It may not look quite like the restaurant version, but it’s easy and tasty.
Allergy, Dietary, and Preference Modifications
One thing I love about making restaurant favorites at home is how easy it is to tweak them. Here are some ways to adapt this copycat Alice Springs Chicken recipe for different needs.
Gluten-free:
- This recipe can be naturally gluten-free, but always check your mustard, bacon, mayonnaise, and shredded cheese labels.
- Some packaged bacon and condiments may contain additives or flavorings with gluten.
- Serve with gluten-free sides like roasted potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
Dairy-free:
- Use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese.
- Swap the butter for olive oil or dairy-free butter when cooking the mushrooms.
- Double-check the mayonnaise brand if needed, since ingredients can vary.
Egg-free:
- Use an egg-free mayo substitute in the honey mustard sauce.
- Everything else in the recipe can be adjusted fairly easily around that swap.
Low-carb or keto:
- Use a sugar-free honey substitute or reduce the honey and use a keto-friendly sweetener.
- Choose bacon and mustard with no added sugar if possible.
- Serve with cauliflower mash, sautéed green beans, or a salad instead of potatoes.
Paleo-inspired:
- Use a paleo mayonnaise.
- Sweeten the sauce with a paleo-approved option like a small amount of raw honey.
- Skip the cheese or use a paleo-friendly dairy-free cheese alternative if that fits your style.
Whole30-style adjustments:
- Use compliant bacon and mayo.
- Leave out the cheese.
- Replace the honey with a compliant option only if it fits your specific plan, or simply make a savory mustard sauce instead.
Vegetarian idea:
- Swap the chicken for thick slices of roasted cauliflower steak or large portobello mushrooms.
- Use plant-based bacon and cheese.
- The honey mustard sauce still gives you that signature sweet-tangy flavor.
Lower-fat version:
- Use turkey bacon.
- Reduce the cheese slightly.
- Use light mayonnaise in the sauce.
- Boneless skinless chicken breast already keeps this meal fairly lean under all those toppings.
Helpful Tips for the Best Alice Springs Chicken
- Don’t skip the sear. It adds flavor and helps the chicken stay juicy.
- Cook chicken to 165°F. This is the safe minimum internal temperature for chicken.
- Pound thick chicken breasts evenly. This helps avoid dry edges and undercooked centers.
- Save extra sauce for serving. Many people love a little extra honey mustard on the side.
- Let the chicken rest. Just 5 minutes makes a difference.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: You can freeze it, though the cheese texture may change a bit. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Warm in a 325°F oven until heated through, or microwave in short bursts. Make sure leftovers are reheated to 165°F for food safety.
Approximate Nutrition Per Serving
These numbers are estimates and can vary depending on the ingredients you use.
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 52g
- Fat: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 1100mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Alice Springs Chicken ahead of time?
Yes. You can cook the bacon, sauté the mushrooms, mix the sauce, and even sear the chicken ahead of time. Then assemble and bake when ready.
What cheese is best for Alice Springs Chicken?
Colby Jack is a great easy choice. A mix of cheddar and Monterey Jack also works really well and gives that classic melty topping.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can work. Just adjust the cooking time and still make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Is this the real Outback Steakhouse recipe?
No. This is a homemade copycat version inspired by the flavors of the restaurant dish.
Final Thoughts
This copycat Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken is one of those meals that feels special without being hard to make. It’s rich, comforting, and packed with layers of flavor. If you’ve been looking for an easy Alice Springs Chicken recipe that tastes like the restaurant version, this one is a great addition to your dinner rotation.
If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Did you keep it classic, or add your own twist? Leave a comment and share your version with friends and family. That’s half the fun of home cooking, right?
Disclaimer
This recipe is a copycat recipe inspired by Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken. It is not the official recipe, and no knowledge of the restaurant’s actual proprietary recipe is implied or claimed. Outback Steakhouse and Alice Springs Chicken are trademarks or associated names of their respective owners.
Simply Copycat Recipes is also an Amazon affiliate. This means we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
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