Description
Alice Springs Chicken is a deliciously savory dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with crispy bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and melted Colby Jack cheese, all finished with a sweet and tangy homemade honey mustard sauce. This classic recipe combines pan-searing and oven-baking techniques to create a comforting meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Toppings
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, optional for garnish
Honey Mustard Sauce
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard or yellow mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prepare for baking the chicken later.
- Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, honey, and lemon juice until smooth. Set this honey mustard sauce aside for later use.
- Season Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, then season with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear each chicken breast for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step locks in juices before baking.
- Add Toppings: Transfer the seared chicken to the prepared baking dish. Spoon some of the honey mustard sauce onto each piece, then top with crispy bacon strips, sliced mushrooms, and a generous layer of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top if desired, and serve with extra honey mustard sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with other cheese blends like cheddar and Monterey Jack.
- For a lower-fat version, use light mayonnaise and reduce the cheese amount.
- Ensure bacon is cooked until crispy for the best texture contrast.
- Fresh parsley is optional but adds a lovely fresh flavor and color to the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Alice Springs Chicken, honey mustard chicken, baked chicken breasts, bacon mushroom chicken, cheesy chicken recipe
