3 Cheese Chicken Penne Recipe

A creamy, cheesy, and flavorful twist on a classic! This 3 Cheese Chicken Penne recipe is inspired by Applebee's, but elevated for your home kitchen. Enjoy tender chicken, perfectly cooked penne pasta, and a rich three-cheese alfredo sauce – all ready in under an hour! Use pre-cooked chicken for a truly speedy weeknight meal, or marinate your own for extra flavor. This recipe is easily customizable to your taste; feel free to add your favorite vegetables or spices.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 70 mins
Calories 618.2 kcal
Protein 81g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
3 Cheese Chicken Penne 23

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Passionate home cook & Forktionary contributor.

Ingredients for 3 Cheese Chicken Penne

  • Fresh Basil Leaf
  • Roma Tomatoes
  • Garlic Clove
  • Salt
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil (for marinade) + 2 teaspoons olive oil (for vegetables)
  • Chicken Breast
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • Italian Spices
  • Button Mushrooms
  • Purple Onion
  • Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce
  • Provolone Cheese
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Penne Pasta

How to Make 3 Cheese Chicken Penne

  1. Marinate chicken: In a bowl, whisk together 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon olive oil, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Add 1 pound of chicken breast (sliced or cubed) and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator).
  2. Prepare bruschetta topping: (Add recipe for bruschetta here - e.g., Combine diced tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper).
  3. Cook pasta: Cook 1 pound penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  4. Sauté vegetables: While pasta cooks, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 8 ounces sliced mushrooms and 1/2 cup sliced onions. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Make the sauce: Stir in 1 (24-ounce) jar of alfredo sauce into the skillet with the vegetables.
  6. Cook chicken: If using raw chicken, heat a grill pan or skillet over medium heat. Cook marinated chicken until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). If using pre-cooked chicken, skip this step.
  7. Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the alfredo sauce and vegetables.
  8. Add chicken: Slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the skillet.
  9. Add cheese: Stir in 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup shredded Asiago cheese. Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.
  10. Serve: Divide pasta among bowls. Top with bruschetta mixture and serve immediately with garlic bread.

Chef's Tip for Extra Flavor

Want to unlock deeper, more complex flavors? Try toasting your whole spices before grinding them, or blooming ground spices in a little warm oil to enhance their aroma. Deglazing your pan with a bit of stock, wine, or even water after browning ingredients can capture those tasty caramelized bits, adding richness to your dish.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

27 g

Sugar

6g

Fat

54g

Carbs

16g

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