Copycat Applebee’s Three-Cheese Chicken Penne

Pasta lovers will love this Copycat three-cheese Chicken Penne dish from Applebee's. A cheesy and creamy dish the whole family will love.

I love to order Applebee's Three-Cheese Chicken Penne. And with this copycat recipe, you can make it at home. Like most of the recipes I publish this delicious pasta dish is super easy to make.

I like to serve this Copycat Three-Cheese Chicken Penne dish with a side of garlic bread. I usually like to make my own like my Garlic Pepper Toast recipe but sometimes I just like to use the pre-made kind you get at the grocery store.

If you are wondering why this copycat recipe is called "three-cheese" it's because the Italian Cheese this recipe calls for is a blend of Parmesan Cheese, Romano and Asiago.

💭 What is Al Dente

When making pasta, it's important to cook the pasta al dente to ensure to best texture possible. If you are not familiar with the term "al dente", it means cooking the pasta so it's still chewy and firm and that it will hold its shape when the sauce is added to it.

🐓 How to Handle Raw Chicken

Leave the chicken in the fridge until ready to use.
Be careful of dripping juices. Clean up immediately.
Do not wash raw chicken (which prevents cross-contamination).
Wash all utensils and cutting boards (if applicable).
If marinating the chicken, make sure you toss the juices before you cook. Don't ever use the juice from the marinade.
Wash your hands after handling raw chicken.

Applebee's restaurant is a Grill + Bar chain focused on casual dining, with mainstream American dishes such as salads, chicken, pasta and burgers. All Applebee's restaurants feature a bar area.

⭐ Copycat Rating

Since the goal of a Copycat Recipe is for it to taste exactly like the original, it's only natural to rate this recipe against the original. This Copycat recipe rates a solid 9 out of 10 in my opinion.

For more great recipes with Penne Pasta, I suggest you check these recipes out:

📋 What Ingredients do I need

You will need the following ingredients to make this Copycat Three-Cheese Chicken Penne recipe from Applebee's (see recipe card for quantities): Chicken Breasts, Italian Salad Dressing, Penne Pasta, Alfredo Pasta Sauce, Italian Blend Cheese, Roma Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Garlic Cloves and Olive Oil.

🥣 How to make Applebee’s Three-Cheese Chicken Penne

Place the chicken breasts into a large bowl. Pour the Italian dressing over the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and place into the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 2 hours.
In a medium bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, basil, and minced garlic cloves. Toss with olive oil. Set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook penne al dente according to the package directions.
Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the grill. Discard the marinade. Grill the chicken breasts until fully cooked. The internal temperature should be 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Slice the chicken into thin strips.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Drain the noodles and toss them with the alfredo sauce. Fold in the sliced chicken.
Put the noodle and chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with the shredded Italian blend cheese.
Bake the casserole for 30 minutes or until the cheese is lightly brown and the mixture is bubbly. Top with the tomato and basil mixture.