Applebees Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe
A super simple and classic dish at Applebees is the Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta. Check out this super popular copycat recipe from Applebee’s restaurant.
My husband has been ordering the same thing at Applebee’s for years. Every single time — doesn’t matter what else is on the menu, doesn’t matter if we’ve been there twice that month — he is getting the three cheese chicken penne pasta.
I’ve eaten his leftovers enough times to understand why. There’s something about the combination: the way the bruschetta tomatoes sit on top of the alfredo, the Italian-marinated chicken, the three cheeses that go bubbly and golden in the oven, the garlic bread that is non-negotiable on the side. It’s the kind of dish that feels like more effort than it is, which is exactly the kind of dish Applebee’s does well.
So I figured it out at home. And honestly? It’s better — because you control the cheese situation, you can pile it on, and you’re not paying $17 (or more!) for a portion that leaves you wanting more.
Fifty minutes start to finish. The marinade does most of the work. This one is in the regular dinner rotation now and it feeds six to eight people, which for a family of five means actual leftovers.What ingredients do you need for this Chicken Penne Pasta?
Applebees Three Cheese Penne Pasta Ingredients
chicken breasts (You can cut into thin strips or bite size pieces)
Italian salad dressing
penne pasta
alfredo sauce
Italian cheese mix, shredded (Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, Provolone)
tomatoes
basil
cloves
olive oil
salt and black pepper to taste
How do you make Applebees Chicken Penne Pasta?
Start by chopping your chicken into thin strips or bite-size pieces and letting it marinate in the Italian dressing for at least 30 minutes. While that’s going, chop your tomatoes and mix them with the olive oil, minced garlic, and basil to make a quick bruschetta. Set it aside and let those flavors come together while you handle everything else.
Bring a big pot of heavily salted water to a boil and cook the penne for 11-12 minutes — you want it just shy of done since it’s going into the oven and will keep cooking. Drain it and immediately toss with 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, a teaspoon of salt, and a teaspoon of black pepper.
Grill or broil the marinated chicken 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through. I use my Ninja Foodi Grill on 500° and it comes out perfectly every time. While the chicken cooks, warm the alfredo sauce on the stove with ¼ cup of water, stirring until it’s smooth and just starting to bubble.
Pour the pasta into an 8×8 baking dish, followed by the sauce — stir to make sure every piece of pasta gets coated. Spoon the bruschetta over the top, add the chicken, then pile on the Italian cheese blend. Bake at 425°F for 6-8 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and just starting to go golden at the edges. Serve immediately with garlic bread.
This combination of tender chicken, penne pasta and a creamy sauce will have you coming back for more!
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It’s one of those alfredo style pasta dishes with a rich parmesan cream sauce and a layer of chicken over cooked pasta and roma tomatoes. It’s a hearty chicken dish with three kinds of cheese in this applebee’s dish.
This cheese chicken penne pasta is one of those quick meals that you keep in your recipe box.
For the calorie breakdown of each serving of Applebee’s Chicken Penne Pasta check out the recipe card below.
How do you store leftovers of this great pasta dish?
Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the pasta into a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave safe lid or plastic wrap and heat until warmed through. Enjoy!
Enjoy this classic Applebees Chicken Penne Pasta tonight!
FAQs
Yes — homemade alfredo will give you a richer result. A simple version is 2 tablespoons butter, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste, simmered over medium-low heat until thickened. Use the same 15 oz amount as the jarred sauce and add ¼ cup water as the recipe specifies to loosen it slightly before baking.
The safest way is a meat thermometer — chicken is done at 165°F internal temperature. If grilling or broiling for 4-5 minutes per side, check the thickest piece. The chicken will continue to cook slightly when it goes in the oven, but don’t rely on that to finish underdone chicken.
Yes. Assemble the full casserole through Step 7 (everything in the pan, before baking), cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then bake at 425°F — add 3-5 extra minutes since it’s starting cold.
The water should taste like mild seawater — about 1-2 tablespoons of kosher salt per large pot of water. It sounds like a lot but most of it stays in the water. Properly salted pasta water is the difference between bland pasta and pasta that has flavor built in before it hits the sauce.
Yes — rigatoni or ziti work best as direct substitutes because their ridges and tubes hold the sauce the same way penne does. Avoid long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine for this baked format; they don’t hold up as well in a casserole.
What are some tips for making this Chicken Penne Pasta?
– Make sure your chicken is cooked through before adding it to the sauce.
– Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for the best flavor.
– If you don’t have Italian salad dressing, use extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
– Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for a stronger flavor.
– Be sure to cook your pasta in salted water for that extra flavor.
– Serve with a side of garlic bread and a green salad for the perfect meal!
Enjoy this classic Applebees Chicken Penne Pasta tonight! This recipe will surely be a hit with your family and friends. In addition, if you want to make it even more special, add some spicy pepperoni or cooked Italian sausage.
With these tips, you can now easily make this delicious Applebees Chicken Penne Pasta at home in just a few simple steps.
The best part is that you get to use fresh ingredients and make this popular dish for your family with a little extra love from the chef.
What are some variations to this recipe?
You can customize this recipe according to your preferences. Add some veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach for extra flavor and nutrition. You could also replace the chicken with cooked Italian sausage if you prefer. For a creamier dish, add a cup of heavy cream to the sauce before simmering. Finally, sprinkle some red chili flakes and oregano on top for an extra kick of flavor.
Enjoy this classic Applebees Chicken Penne Pasta with your family tonight!
Here are some more fun chicken recipes to try:
If you are looking for more amazing delicious pasta recipes be sure to check out this comprehensive list –> The Best Pasta Recipes For Weeknight Dinners!
Applebees Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Copycat Recipe
This isn't just chicken alfredo — it's a layered pasta bake with a fresh bruschetta topping that cuts through the richness of the cream sauce and keeps the whole dish from being too heavy. Italian-marinated chicken, al dente penne, and a three-cheese blend baked at 425°F until golden and bubbly.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (You can cut into thin strips or bite size pieces)
- 1⁄3 cup Italian salad dressing
- 3 cups penne pasta
- 15 ounces alfredo sauce
- 4 ounces Italian cheese mix, shredded (Mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, Provolone)
- 2 fresh tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 2 -3 garlic cloves
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop chicken into thin strips or bite-size pieces. Place in a bowl or zip-lock bag with ⅓ cup Italian dressing and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor).
- While chicken marinates, make the bruschetta: chop fresh tomatoes and combine with minced garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 teaspoon basil. Toss together and set aside to rest — the longer it sits, the better.
- Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook penne for 11-12 minutes until just al dente — don't cook fully since the pasta will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and toss immediately with 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper.
- Grill or broil the marinated chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest 5 minutes, then slice or leave in pieces as preferred.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the alfredo sauce with ¼ cup water, stirring until smooth and just starting to bubble.
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Pour cooked pasta into an 8x8 baking dish, then pour the warm alfredo sauce over the top and stir to coat all the pasta evenly.
- Spoon the bruschetta mixture over the pasta layer. Add the cooked chicken on top, then cover generously with the Italian cheese blend.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden at the edges.
- Serve immediately with garlic bread.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 552Total Fat 42gSaturated Fat 19gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 109mgSodium 854mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 22g
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Hi! I’m Nellie. I am an entrepreneur, a busy mama of 3 and a wife to my high school sweetheart. I have been sharing content for over 12 years about how to cook easy recipes, workout tips and free printables that make life a little bit easier. I have been featured in places like Yahoo, Buzzfeed, What To Expect, Mediavine, Niche Pursuits, HuffPost, BabyCenter, Mom 2.0, Mommy Nearest, Parade, Care.com, and more!
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Ok, this looks delicious! We love pasta around my way, so I’ll def be trying this recipe soon. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome! Let me know how you love it!