Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken

I don’t know exactly where I got this recipe but there are a number of ones on the internet, some varying just a bit. This one is awesome and my family loves it.
I was interested in why this recipe would be called Alice Springs Chicken so I turned to the source of all knowledge: Google. Unfortunately for many like me, a US Midwesterner, Australia is just an exotic location far away and home of the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. I don’t think much was taught to us in World History class about Australia even though it played a rather large part in the South Pacific theater during World War II. Alice Springs located in the north central part of Australia is the largest city in the Northern Territory. But, nothing I read gives me an idea of why this recipe is called Alice Springs Chicken or if it is a just a “chook thrown on the barbie”. It doesn’t matter though, cuz it’s wonderful.

Ingredients

3 or 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used 3 and sliced mine almost in half)
Seasoning salt
6 bacon slices
1/4 cup regular mustard
1/3 cup honey
2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
2 tsps dried onion flakes or
2/3 tsp onion powder or
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced mushrooms or
one small can sliced black olives
2 cups shredded Colby/Jack cheese

First sprinkle the chicken breasts with seasoning salt. cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

While the chicken is in the refrigerator, cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside (I always let mine drain on a paper towel). ***IMPORTANT***Do not discard the bacon grease. If you’ve read any of my other posts, you know I am a great fan of bacon grease. Yes, it’s probably not the healthiest thing in the world, but what it does to the flavor of food! Amazing!

Saute the chicken in bacon grease for 3 to 5 minutes per side or until browned. Place chicken in a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish or pan.

To make the Honey Mustard:

In a small bowl, mix the mustard, honey, mayonnaise and onion (flakes, powder or chopped).

Spread some of the Honey Mustard over each piece of chicken, then layer mushrooms or olives or none (your preference), crumbled bacon and shredded cheese over the chicken.