Applebee's 3 Cheese Chicken Penne Recipe

Name: Applebee's 3 Cheese Chicken Penne Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 95 min
Ingredients: 2 Boneless And Skinless Chicken Breasts; 1 Packet Penne Pasta; Italian Salad Dressing; 8 Ounces Italian Shredded Cheeses; 6-8 Basil Leaves; 4 Tomatoes; 3 Garlic Cloves; 6 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil; 2 Tablespoons Butter; ½ Cup All-Purpose Flour; 1 Teaspoon Salt; ½ Cup Milk; 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper; 1 Nutmeg

Recipe Pin

Aloha, dear readers! Let me ask you a question. Are you bored of your regular pasta recipes? Do you want to elevate your pasta experience to a whole new level?

Applebee's 3 Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe

So, listen up. I’m sharing a delicious Applebee’s 3 Cheese Chicken Penne recipe that will surely satisfy all your pasta cravings. It all started when I was at my friend’s birthday party.

I was casually chit-chatting and nibbling on appetizers when somebody brought this Applebee’s 3 Cheese Chicken Penne. Suddenly, my appetizers felt inadequate. I profoundly realized I had missed such an amazing cheesy delight.

After returning, I searched for recipes online and found the exact copycat recipe. The next thing I knew, I was on a quest to recreate this dish, driven by an obsession that only a real cheese lover could have.

This recipe called in for tender chicken, penne pasta, and a decadent medley of mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan cheese. I knew I was on the verge of making something spectacular when the irresistible aroma of the simmering sauce filled my kitchen.

The result? A dish so creamy and rich that it almost felt like a gourmet celebration. Each bite was a velvety delight with a creamy sauce that was rich yet somehow light. The mozzarella added a luscious meltiness, the provolone gave a sharp, tangy twist, and the parmesan added a nutty depth.

This cheesy trio enveloped perfectly cooked pasta, allowing every piece to capture the creamy goodness. The tender chicken integrated seamlessly into the dish, absorbing all the flavors and adding a savory richness. The penne was smothered in a creamy sauce so rich that you’ll question why you settled for anything less.

The best part? Sharing the final product with my friends and seeing their faces light up with every mouthful. So, here’s the guide for you to make Applebee’s three-cheese chicken penne from the comfort of your kitchen.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Large Pot: I use a large pot to boil the pasta.
Colander: A colander is essential to drain the pasta once it is al dente.
Non-Stick Pan: You will need a non-stick pan to cook the chicken and make the cheese sauce.
Bowl: I suggest using a bowl to keep the chopped ingredients.
Wooden Spatula: This comes in handy to stir everything well.
Saucepan: A medium-sized saucepan is needed to combine cheeses into a smooth, creamy texture.
Measuring Cups And Spoons: Lastly, I used measuring cups and spoons to accurately measure the ingredients.

Applebee’s 3 Cheese Chicken Penne Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients that I have mentioned below will help you serve four people. However, you can adjust the amount of ingredients according to the number of people you wish to serve.

2 Boneless And Skinless Chicken Breasts: You can go for turkey breast or frozen chicken breasts as well. These provide similar nutritional benefits.
1 Packet Penne Pasta: I use quinoa and rice pasta as they make excellent grain based substitutes. Brown rice pasta can also be used if you prefer a whole grain alternative.
Italian Salad Dressing: You can use homemade or store bought salad dressing.
8 Ounces Italian Shredded Cheeses: Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano or Swiss cheese are some of the substitutes for Italian shredded cheese.
6-8 Basil Leaves: Out of basil leaves? No worries. Greek oregano, mint, or thyme would come to your rescue.
4 Tomatoes
3 Garlic Cloves: You can also use garlic flakes, minced garlic, garlic powder or garlic oil.
6 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil are good alternatives for extra virgin olive oil.

For Alfredo Sauce

2 Tablespoon Butter: You can also use unsalted butter.
½ Cup All-Purpose Flour: No all-purpose flour? Rice flour, cake flour, or coconut flour work just fine.
1 Teaspoon Salt
½ Cup Milk: You can use almond, coconut, cashew, oat or hemp milk.
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1 Nutmeg: I seldom opt for allspice, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, mace, or cloves when I don’t have nutmeg.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Resting Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
30 Minutes	30 Minutes	35 Minutes	1 Hour 35 Minutes

How To Make Applebee’s 3 Cheese Chicken Penne At Home

Step 1

Chop off the chicken and place it in a bowl.

Step 2

Then drizzle Italian dressing over it and marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3

Now, take a pan and add butter and flour to make a roux. Pour in some milk and whisk until there are no lumps.

Step 4

Season it with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Let it simmer until it reaches a desired consistency.

Step 5

Now chop the tomatoes and keep them in a bowl. Add oil, basil, and garlic to make the bruschetta.

Step 6

Now, take a large pot and boil water in it. Put penne pasta and let it cook al dente. Drain the water using a colander.

Step 7

Now cook the chicken in a pan.

Step 8

Now take two microwave bowls. Divide the pasta in two equal halves and keep them separately in those bowls.

Step 9

Pour the cooked alfredo sauce over the pasta. Now add layers of chicken and Italian cheese, mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan.

Step 10

Microwave both dishes for 3 minutes until the cheese completely melts.

Step 11

Your creamy cheesy Applebee’s 3 Cheese Chicken Penne is ready to be served.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

For a richer sauce, I blend heavy cream with milk. The cream adds creaminess, while the milk balances it out and keeps the sauce from becoming too heavy.
Do not over cook the pasta, as it becomes mushy when mixed with the sauce. Once your pasta is al-dente, remove it from the heat immediately.
Instead of plain water, I cook my chicken in flavourful broth. This infuses additional taste and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.

FAQs About Applebee’s 3 Cheese Chicken Penne

Why is this cheese sauce clumpy?

If you cook cheese at too high a temperature or add it too quickly, the sauce may form clumps. To prevent this, lower the heat and add the cheese in very small amounts, stirring gradually until it melts smoothly.

How can you avoid overcooking the chicken?

You can avoid overcooking the chicken by cooking it over a medium flame until it’s just done. Also, avoid high heat, which can dry out the chicken. Moreover, make sure to slice the chicken into small pieces before cooking it to distribute the heat properly.

Why did the pasta turn mushy?

If you overcook your pasta, it can become mushy. To avoid this, cook the pasta al dente according to the package instructions and then immediately drain and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process.

How can you prevent the sauce from becoming runny?

If you add more milk, your sauce can become runny. To make it thicker, simmer it for a longer period of time to allow some of the moisture to evaporate. You can also mix more cheese or cornstarch slurry with cold water to thicken it.

Why does the cheese have a grainy texture?

If the cheese is not melted properly or you cook the sauce at a higher temperature, the sauce may have a grainy texture. To prevent this, make sure the sauce is smooth before you add the cheese and add it slowly over a medium flame.

How can you prevent the pasta from sticking together?

If you do not cook the pasta properly or overcrowd the pot, the pasta will not have enough space to cook properly and will stick to each other. So, to avoid this, make sure that you stir the pasta occasionally while cooking and add oil to the boiling water while cooking it. After draining the pasta, make sure to toss it with a bit of the sauce immediately to keep it from sticking.

How can you add more flavor to the chicken?

To add more flavour to the chicken, marinate it with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs for at least 30 minutes. This process will add depth and keep the chicken juicy.

How can you achieve a crispy topping?

If you wish to have a crispy topping, you can sprinkle some extra shredded cheese and breadcrumbs over the dish and bake it until it is golden brown. Baking it in the oven will add a delightful crunch to the creamy pasta.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

This delicious Applebee’s 3 Cheese Chicken Penne is not preferably healthy, as it is packed with cheese, cream, pasta, and butter. While it provides protein from the chicken and calcium from the cheese, it is definitely high in calories, fats, carbs, and sodium.

I have mentioned the nutritional information below for your reference.

Calories	1805 kcal
Carbohydrates	62 g
Protein	108 g
Fat	124 g
Saturated fat	31 g
Polyunsaturated fat	12 g
Monounsaturated fat	72 g
Trans fat	1 g
Cholesterol	364 mg
Sodium	3085 mg
Potassium	2170 mg
Fibre	4 g
Sugar	9 g
Vitamin A	1741 IU
Vitamin C	18 mg
Calcium	231 mg
Iron	6 mg

This recipe is ideal for people who follow a high-protein diet.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Gluten-Free: Making a gluten-free version of this recipe is easy. I swap regular penne for gluten-free penne and use certified gluten-free Italian dressing. Along with these alterations, I ditched the regular flour and went with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. It worked just fine for thickening the sauce without the gluten.
Keto-Friendly: When I decided to make a keto-friendly version of this recipe, I swapped the regular penne pasta with shirataki noodles or zucchini noodles. I made my own keto-friendly Italian dressing by mixing olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs. Moreover, in place of regular flour, I used almond or coconut flour and replaced regular milk with heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: When I wish to store my cheese chicken penne in the refrigerator, I first let it cool down to room temperature to help prevent condensation in the container. Then, I transfer it into an airtight container. This ensures that my pasta is prevented from drying out or absorbing odours from the other foods kept in the fridge. Then, I keep the container inside the refrigerator to store my pasta for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: Whenever I wish to consume the dish later and store it for a longer period of time, I store the pasta sauce in the freezer. For that, I first portion the sauce into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. I make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag. Then, I keep the sauce in the freezer, where it can be preserved for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating

Microwave: I first place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish. Then, I add a splash of water, broth, or milk to keep the dish from drying out and carefully cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Finally, I microwave it on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. I heat it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it is evenly cooked.
Stovetop: For this, I place the pasta in a non-stick skillet or frying pan, add a splash of water or milk, and heat it over a medium flame. I stir the pasta occasionally to prevent burning. While heating, if your sauce thickens, you can add more broth or milk to help thicken it. Once it is reheated thoroughly, I have it immediately to get the most of the creaminess from this reheated version.
Oven: This technique is the easiest. You just have to transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish with a bit of water, broth, or milk and cover it with aluminium foil. Then bake it for at least 15-20 minutes, checking halfway to ensure even heating. Then carefully remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of baking and have it crisp

What To Serve With This Recipe

When it comes to serving Applebee’s Cheese Chicken Penne, the options are practically endless. I love to pair it with crisp, refreshing Caesar Salad for a well-rounded meal. It adds a fresh crunch that complements the creamy pasta.

If I am in the mood for something light, I have it alongside lemon Garlic Shrimp. It pairs beautifully with the penne, adding a burst of flavors that works well with the richness.

A light and fruity Berry Sorbet can be incredibly refreshing for the dessert. Alternatively, a classic Apple Crumble also offers a comforting end to the meal without being overly heavy.

Printable Version

More Pasta Recipes That You Can Try

Homemade Jamie Oliver Pesto Chicken Pasta — Jamie Oliver Chicken Pesto Pasta

Pizza Hut Copycat Alfredo Chicken Pasta — Jamie Oliver Chicken Pesto Pasta

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed making this delectable Applebees’s Cheese Chicken Penne in your kitchen. This dish is perfect for any occasion and is sure to be a star among your family gatherings.

If you found this recipe interesting, be sure to come back and visit our website for more mouthwatering recipes. You will find something exciting every time you visit us. So, until next time, see you soon.