Outback Steakhouse Style Alice Springs Chicken (Full Detailed Recipe)

If you’ve ever eaten at you probably know that Alice Springs Chicken is one of their most famous dishes. It’s juicy grilled chicken topped with honey mustard sauce, crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and lots of melted cheese.

This homemade version tastes very close to the restaurant version, but honestly even fresher and better because everything is made from scratch.

What Makes This Dish Special?

The flavor comes from layering:

Juicy seasoned chicken
Sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce
Smoky crispy bacon
Buttery mushrooms
Melted cheese on top

Every ingredient balances the others perfectly.

The honey mustard gives sweetness and acidity.
The bacon adds saltiness and crunch.
The mushrooms bring deep savory flavor.
And the cheese ties everything together.

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: Around 55 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

For the Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

For the Honey Mustard Sauce

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Optional:

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
tiny pinch cayenne pepper

For the Mushroom Topping

250g mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
pinch of salt

For the Bacon and Cheese

8 slices beef bacon or turkey bacon
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Optional:

Monterey Jack cheese for extra creamy texture

Kitchen Equipment

You will need:

Large skillet or frying pan
Oven-safe pan or baking dish
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Oven

Step 1 — Prepare the Honey Mustard Sauce

This sauce is one of the most important parts of the recipe.

In a medium bowl, combine:

mayonnaise
Dijon mustard
yellow mustard
honey
lemon juice

Whisk everything together until smooth.

The sauce should taste:

slightly sweet
slightly tangy
creamy
balanced

If it tastes too sweet: add a little more mustard.

If it tastes too sharp: add a little more honey.

Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator while preparing everything else.

Step 2 — Marinate the Chicken

Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board.

If they are very thick, slice them horizontally or pound them gently so they cook evenly.

Season both sides with:

salt
pepper
paprika
garlic powder
onion powder

Drizzle with olive oil.

Now spread a few spoonfuls of the honey mustard sauce over the chicken.

Do not use all the sauce because some will be used later for topping and serving.

Let the chicken marinate for at least:

30 minutes minimum
2 hours for better flavor
overnight for best results

The longer it marinates, the juicier and more flavorful it becomes.

Step 3 — Cook the Bacon

Heat a skillet over medium heat.

Cook the bacon until crispy.

Do not rush this part.

Good crispy bacon adds texture and smoky flavor to the dish.

Once cooked:

place bacon on paper towels
keep a little bacon fat in the pan

That bacon fat will make the mushrooms taste amazing.

Step 4 — Sauté the Mushrooms

In the same pan:

Add:

butter
olive oil
garlic

Cook for about 30 seconds.

Then add the mushrooms.

Do not stir too much at first.

Let them sit and brown properly.

Mushrooms release water first, then begin caramelizing.

This process creates deep restaurant-style flavor.

Cook for around:

8 to 10 minutes

Until:

golden brown
soft
rich smelling

Set aside.

Step 5 — Sear the Chicken

Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).

Heat a large oven-safe skillet.

Add a little olive oil.

Place chicken into the hot pan.

Cook:

4 to 5 minutes on the first side
4 minutes on the second side

The chicken should develop a golden crust.

It does NOT need to cook fully yet because it will finish in the oven.

Step 6 — Assemble the Dish

Now comes the best part.

On top of each chicken breast:

Spread honey mustard sauce
Add sautéed mushrooms
Add 2 slices crispy bacon
Cover generously with cheese

Be generous with the cheese.

That melted cheesy layer is part of what makes Alice Springs Chicken famous.

Step 7 — Bake

Transfer the skillet or baking dish to the oven.

Bake for:

10 to 15 minutes

Until:

cheese is melted
chicken reaches safe internal temperature
edges become slightly golden

If you want the top extra golden and bubbly: turn on the broiler for the final 1–2 minutes.

Watch carefully so it does not burn.

Step 8 — Rest Before Serving

Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.

This keeps the juices inside the meat.

Sprinkle chopped parsley on top for freshness.

Best Side Dishes

This dish pairs perfectly with:

mashed potatoes
fries
roasted vegetables
rice
Caesar salad
steamed broccoli

Pro Tips for Restaurant-Level Flavor

1. Use Freshly Shredded Cheese

Pre-shredded cheese melts differently.

Freshly grated cheese gives smoother texture.

2. Don’t Overcook the Chicken

Chicken breasts dry out quickly.

Use medium heat and avoid excessive baking.

3. Brown the Mushrooms Properly

Many people rush mushrooms.

The deep flavor only develops after proper browning.

4. Balance the Sauce

The honey mustard should not be too sweet.

The perfect sauce has:

sweetness
acidity
creaminess
slight sharpness

5. Let the Chicken Rest

Cutting immediately causes juice loss.

5 minutes resting makes a big difference.

Optional Upgrades

If you want an even more authentic American steakhouse flavor, you can add:

Worcestershire sauce
smoked paprika
Monterey Jack cheese
caramelized onions
a touch of BBQ sauce

Storage Instructions

Refrigerator

Store leftovers in airtight container for up to:

3 days

Reheating

Best reheated in oven at:

180°C for 10 minutes

Microwave works too, but oven keeps better texture.

Final Result

The final dish should be:

juicy inside
cheesy on top
smoky from bacon
creamy from sauce
rich and savory from mushrooms

It’s comfort food, steakhouse food, and homemade food all in one plate.

If you want, I can also give you:

the exact original restaurant-style honey mustard recipe
a healthier high-protein version
spicy version
air fryer version
creamy garlic version
or a full American steakhouse dinner menu with appetizers and dessert.