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I've gotta share this amazing home version of a restaurant classic that's now on regular rotation at my place—this Three Cheese Chicken Penne is total comfort food heaven. I tried for ages to match what Applebee's makes, and I think I've finally got that perfect mix of smooth sauce, juicy chicken, and homemade bruschetta. And guess what? It's way simpler to whip up than most people think.
Why This Dish Stands Out
The way the thick, creamy alfredo blends with the cool, tangy bruschetta is just magical. My kids can't get enough of how the hot, velvety pasta works with the chilled, zippy tomato mix. You get well-seasoned chicken, gooey cheese, and that knockout sauce in every mouthful. It's like eating at your favorite restaurant without leaving your house.
Your Ingredient List
- Italian Salad Dressing: ½ cup, to soak the chicken and add tons of flavor.
- Shredded Italian Cheese: 1½ cups, combining provolone, mozzarella, and parmesan for ultimate cheesy pull.
- Penne Pasta: 12 ounces, cooked with a slight bite for the best texture.
- Bruschetta: Fresh mix of chopped tomatoes, basil, minced garlic, and olive oil for a bright topping.
- Chicken Breast: 2, cut into small chunks and cooked until tender for the main protein.
- Alfredo Sauce: 2 cups, bought or homemade, creating the rich, creamy base.
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Simple Cooking Steps
- Serve and Enjoy
- Dish up the pasta, making sure everyone gets chicken, cheese, and bruschetta in their serving. Add some fresh basil on top if you want.
- Optional Casserole Bake
- Turn oven to 350°F (175°C). Pop the dish in for 30 minutes until it turns golden and bubbly.
- Assemble the Dish
- Mix the cooked pasta with alfredo sauce. Put layers of chicken, bruschetta, and cheese blend in a pan or baking dish.
- Grill the Chicken
- Warm up a pan or grill to medium. Cook the soaked chicken until it hits 165°F (75°C) inside. Put aside.
- Prepare the Bruschetta
- Throw tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil in a bowl and stir it up. Save it for the top.
- Cook the Pasta
- Get some salty water boiling and toss in 12 ounces of penne. Cook until it's still a bit firm. Drain the water and set pasta aside.
- Marinate the Chicken
- Toss chicken chunks in a bowl with ½ cup Italian dressing. Let it soak for 30 minutes.
Kitchen Shortcuts
After making this so many times, I've learned some tricks: always go for fresh tomatoes and basil in your bruschetta—it's totally worth it. Shred cheese yourself instead of buying pre-shredded bags—it melts way better. When I'm super busy, I'll grab a store rotisserie chicken—it works great and cuts your prep time in half.
Tweak It Your Way
Feel free to switch things up with this dish. I sometimes use different pasta shapes or try new cheese mixes. Adding some red pepper flakes gives it a nice little kick, and my little ones go crazy for a crunchy breadcrumb layer on top. The basic recipe is so good you can really mess around with it.
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Great Side Dishes
This pasta works amazingly with a basic green salad and some hot garlic bread. You'll want that bread to mop up all the extra sauce—it's too good to waste. Add a glass of chilled white wine and you've got a fancy at-home date night sorted.
Prep Ahead Options
This dish is a meal prep champion. I often get all the parts ready separately—soak and cook the chicken, boil the pasta, mix up the bruschetta—then keep them apart in the fridge. When it's time to eat, just throw it all together and warm it up. It stays good for a couple days and might taste even better tomorrow.
The Taste Will Win You Over
This recipe has cut down our restaurant visits big time. It tastes just as good—possibly better—since you can adjust everything exactly how you want it. There's something really satisfying about making a restaurant favorite in your own kitchen. Try it once and you'll see why it's become such a regular at our dinner table.
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Summary
Enjoy this easy version of Applebee's pasta. Juicy grilled chicken, rich alfredo, three kinds of cheese, and fresh bruschetta come together perfectly.Recipe FAQs
- → What cheese trio should I use?
- A blend of parmesan, provolone, and mozzarella gives you that signature taste.
- → Is store-bought bruschetta okay?
- Home-prepped is better, but store-bought works when you're short on time.
- → No grill? What now?
- Try pan-searing the chicken in a skillet or pop it under the broiler.
- → Can I prep it in advance?
- Yes, keep everything separate and put it all together just before eating.
- → Why marinate the chicken first?
- It gives extra flavor and keeps the chicken juicy.