This copycat recipe for Alice Springs Chicken brings this restaurant classic into your home. Marinated and seasoned chicken breasts are browned in the bacon drippings, then layered with the honey mustard sauce, which makes the flavor of mushrooms and crispy bacon absolutely perfect. Then it’s baked with Colby/Jack cheese in a melty, creamy fashion. Serve this rich dish with a sideline of steamed veggies, a fresh salad, or buttery mashed potatoes to sop every morsel of that flavorful sauce.
Why You Will Love this Recipe
Perfectly balances the flavors: honey mustard sweetness, smoky bacon, richness of cheese combined.
Easy to Make: Few steps involved, and not much preparation is required. This dish comes together easily and in no time gets baked.
Restaurant Quality: You will be feeling like dining in a steakhouse right from the comfort of your kitchen!
Key Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts: Take the boneless, skinless chicken breasts to form a lean, tender base. Alternatively, you may use chicken thighs if you prefer something with more moisture in the cut; you would have to adjust the baking time.
Bacon: Smoky, salty, crispy bacon is a sweet balance with the honey mustard sauce. A good lighter alternative is to use turkey bacon.
Colby/Jack Cheese: Such a blend of cheese that melts so wonderfully and binds everything together. Use sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack if you like a different flavor profile.
Button Mushrooms: Sliced, these mushrooms add an earthy note. You can use cremini or baby bella mushrooms to add deeper, richer flavors if you wish.
Honey Mustard Sauce: This sauce is prepared with honey, grainy mustard, mayonnaise, and onion flakes. Corn syrup may be added to balance the tart of the mustard for a smoother taste.
Cooking Instructions:
Preparation
Preheating Oven:
Preheat the oven in advance to 350°F or 175°C.
Prepare the Bacon:
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and the fat has rendered.
Transfer cooked bacon onto a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Marinate the Chicken:
In a large bowl, combine chicken breasts, chicken seasonings, onion powder, and paprika.
Massage chicken with the seasoning, and let it marinate for at least 45 minutes to develop flavor.
Preparing the Honey Mustard Sauce
Sauce Preparation:
In a non-stick pan, over a low heat, mix together 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup mustard, 1 teaspoon onion flakes, and 1/4 cup mayonnaise.
Stir until smooth and well combined.
Adjust sweetness:
Add a little corn syrup at a time to balance the acidity of the mustard. Taste and adjust as needed.
Allow the sauce to simmer lightly then set it aside.
Cooking the Chicken
Brown the Chicken:
Using that same skillet, still with the residual bacon fat in it, set over medium heat.
Brown the marinated chicken breasts on both sides until golden, 2-3 minutes per side.
Assembly and Baking
Prep the Baking Dish:
Line a baking dish with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.
Place the browned chicken breasts into the dish.
Assemble the Dish:
Spread an equal amount of prepared honey mustard sauce over the top of each chicken breast.
Top with the sliced mushrooms, crumbled bacon, and a generous layer of shredded Colby/Jack cheese.
Bake:
Place the dish in an oven preheated to a hot setting and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve
Presentation:
Remove from the oven and serve hot with a side of vegetable slaw and a cool drink that will help balance out these rich flavors.
Serving Suggestions:
Classic Sides: Almost too rich, it’s balanced well with classic sides like steamed green beans, a fresh salad, or roasted asparagus.
Beverage Pairing: Pair with a glass of refreshing white wine, Sauvignon Blanc, or a refreshing lemon-balanced iced tea.
Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or chives to add color and a touch of freshness.
Storage and Reheating Suggestions:
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Warming: Warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or micro on low power in 30-second increments until warm.
Freezing: This can be frozen before baking. Assemble ingredients, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
Variations:
Lighter Version
Lighten up: Use turkey bacon and only half the amount of cheese. To make a lighter, tangier honey mustard sauce, swap in Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise.
Spicy Twist
Give a spicy kick to the marinade by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes. You can also use pepper jack cheese instead of Colby Jack.
BBQ Honey Mustard Sauce
Mix 1 tablespoon of your favorite barbecue sauce into the honey mustard for a sweet-smoky variation.
Conclusion:
This is a deliciously cheesy and savory-sure-pleasing Alice Springs Chicken recipe. With layers of honey mustard, melted cheese, bacon, and mushrooms, each bite will be a treat. It is great for a family dinner or, for that matter, any special occasion when you are craving something rich but not hard to make. Have the steakhouse favorite at home!