Description
Alice Springs Chicken is a flavorful, hearty dish featuring tender chicken breasts marinated in a tangy honey-mustard sauce, topped with sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, and melted Colby-Jack cheese. Baked to perfection, this classic Australian-inspired recipe combines savory and sweet flavors for a crowd-pleasing meal, perfect served with baked potatoes and roasted broccoli.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (6 ounces each)
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (such as Lawry’s)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
Toppings and Sides
- 6 slices bacon, cut in half
- 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
- 2 cups freshly shredded Colby-Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Baked potato (for serving, optional)
- Roasted broccoli (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking. Season both sides with seasoning salt and garlic powder.
- Make sauce: In a bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and dried onion flakes until well combined. Set aside half of this sauce for later use.
- Marinate chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a Ziploc bag along with the remaining half of the sauce. Toss to coat the chicken evenly. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.
- Cook bacon: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain excess fat.
- Sauté mushrooms: Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon drippings to the skillet. Sauté the sliced mushrooms for about 5 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
- Cook chicken: Add another tablespoon of bacon drippings to the skillet. Place the marinated chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side, until browned.
- Assemble and bake: Place the cooked chicken in an oven-safe dish. Spoon some of the reserved honey-mustard sauce over each piece. Top with sautéed mushrooms, bacon halves, and shredded Colby-Jack cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes. Garnish with the remaining sauce and chopped fresh parsley. Serve with baked potatoes and roasted broccoli if desired.
Notes
- Marinating time can be extended up to 8 hours for more flavor, but at least 30 minutes is recommended.
- Using freshly shredded Colby-Jack cheese melts better than pre-shredded.
- You can substitute bacon with turkey bacon for a leaner option.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F internal temperature for food safety.
- Leftover sauce can be used as a dipping sauce or salad dressing.
