This Pioneer Woman Alice Springs Chicken is a cheesy and savory recipe, which is made with crispy bacon and sautéed mushrooms. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 30 minutes plus marinating time.
Pioneer Woman Alice Springs Chicken Ingredients
Honey Mustard Marinade & Sauce:
- 1 cup Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Main Dish:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups sliced white mushrooms
- 4 boneless chicken breasts, halved
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- paprika, to taste
- 8 slices bacon, cooked
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
How To Make Pioneer Woman Alice Springs Chicken
- Make the honey mustard: In a small bowl, combine the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Use an electric mixer to whip the mixture for about 30 seconds until smooth.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag. Pour in about one-third of the honey mustard mixture, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chill the remaining honey mustard to use as a sauce later.
- Cook mushrooms and sear chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (Note: original recipe says 275°F, but 375°F is more standard for melting cheese quickly). In a small pan, sauté the mushrooms in butter until golden brown; set aside. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat and sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Assemble the toppings: Keep the chicken in the skillet but remove it from the heat. Brush each chicken breast with some of the reserved fresh honey mustard sauce. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Layer and bake: Top each chicken breast with two slices of cooked bacon, followed by the sautéed mushrooms, and finally a mix of the Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.
- Bake and serve: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately with the extra honey mustard sauce on the side for dipping.

Recipe Tips
- How to get the juiciest chicken? For the most tender and evenly cooked chicken, pound the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness before marinating. This ensures they cook at the same rate.
- What if I don’t have an ovenproof skillet? No problem. Simply sear the chicken in a regular frying pan on the stovetop, then transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish to assemble the toppings and bake in the oven.
- Can I make the honey mustard sauce ahead of time? Yes, the sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- What kind of bacon is best? A standard-cut bacon works perfectly. Cook it until it’s crisp so it provides a nice textural contrast to the tender chicken and melted cheese.
What To Serve With Alice Springs Chicken
This dish is famously served at Outback Steakhouse with Aussie Fries, but it also pairs wonderfully with:
- Roasted or mashed potatoes
- Steamed broccoli or asparagus
- A simple garden salad with a light vinaigrette
- Sautéed green beans
How To Store Alice Springs Chicken
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freezing is not highly recommended as the texture of the cheese and sauce may change upon thawing. It’s best enjoyed fresh.
Alice Springs Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 716kcal
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Protein: 45g
- Fat: 48g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Is this the real Outback Steakhouse recipe?
This is a very popular and delicious copycat recipe that captures all the key flavors of the famous restaurant dish.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs would also be delicious in this recipe. They may require a slightly longer or shorter cooking time depending on their thickness.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
The recipe recommends about 2 hours. This is enough time for the flavor to penetrate without the lemon juice in the marinade starting to negatively affect the texture of the chicken.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pot Pie with Phyllo Dough Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pot Pie Soup Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Recipe
Pioneer Woman Alice Springs Chicken Recipe
Description
A delicious featuring juicy, honey-mustard marinated chicken breasts topped with sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, and a melted layer of cheese.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whip all honey mustard ingredients together until smooth.
- Marinate chicken in ⅓ of the honey mustard for at least 2 hours. Refrigerate the rest.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Sauté mushrooms in butter until golden; set aside.
- Sear marinated chicken in an ovenproof skillet for 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove skillet from heat. Brush chicken with fresh honey mustard, season, then top with bacon, mushrooms, and cheeses.
- Bake for 7-10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with remaining honey mustard sauce for dipping.
Notes
- u003cliu003ePounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness before marinating will help them cook more evenly.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eIf you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, sear the chicken on the stove and then transfer to a baking dish to finish in the oven.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe honey mustard sauce is a key component; be sure to reserve plenty for dipping at the end.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUsing a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese provides a great melt and a classic flavor profile.u003c/liu003e
