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Home » Apleebee’s 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken Tenders

Apleebee’s 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken Tenders

Updated on May 6, 2019 | Published on April 1, 2018

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applebee's copycat / 4 cheese mac and cheese / applebee's mac and cheese / honey pepper chicken tenders / homemade chicken tenders / copycat recipe #copycat #applebees #homemade #macandcheese #pasta  via @clarkscondensed
This copycat Applebee’s 4 cheese mac & cheese with honey pepper chicken tenders is simple and delicious – it’s great for children and adults. Even those who don’t like mac and cheese love it!Applebee's 4 Cheese Mac and Cheese

Applebee’s Mac and Cheese Recipe

Macaroni and cheese is not one of my favorite foods. The thought of eating it usually makes me feel a little bit sick. Jack loves it though. I don’t get it. Well, a few months ago, I went to Applebee’s with my mom. As I looked at the menu, I kept looking at the 4 cheese mac and cheese with honey pepper chicken tenders. Normally, I would pass anything that says “mac and cheese” in the title, but it just looked so good. Plus, it didn’t appear to have cheddar in it, which is probably one of the main reasons I don’t love most macaroni and cheese recipes. The honey pepper chicken tenders sounded absolutely delicious. Applebee's honey pepper chicken tenders So I ordered it. And I’m so glad I did – it was absolutely delicious! I even ordered it again when we went a few weeks later with Forrest’s sister. I don’t know what it was about this dish, but I really enjoyed it. We invited my sister and her kids and my little brother over for lunch and to play games recently, and I thought that it would be fun to try and make a copycat version of this dish. I found a version of it someone else came up with, but I made a few changes. The sauce for the chicken is basically the same, but I decided to use pre-breaded chicken instead of making my own chicken tenders. I also changed the cheese sauce as well – I just used a bag of shredded Italian cheese (instead of buying four different kinds of cheese), and I also used evaporated milk instead of cream. applebees-4-cheese-mac-and-cheese-and-honey-pepper-chicken (5 of 5) Everyone LOVED it. My niece and nephew both told me how delicious it was. Jack said he wanted me to make it again. My little brother even said he was going to try and make it at college when he went back (and that’s big – I think he’s made dinner like four times since he’s been there. Haha.) My sister wanted the recipe too, because she couldn’t wait to make it again. I really loved it, too! The sauce on the chicken tenders was delicious. My little brother said he never would have guessed they weren’t even homemade tenders. By using frozen ones, it made this even easier to make. There’s a lot of components, but they are all simple to throw together! applebee's copycat / 4 cheese mac and cheese / applebee's mac and cheese / honey pepper chicken tenders / homemade chicken tenders / copycat recipe #copycat #applebees #homemade #macandcheese #pasta

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Copycat Apleebee's 4 Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken Tenders

Copycat Apleebee's 4 Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken Tenders

Yield: 8 large servings

Ingredients

  • 6 frozen, precooked chicken tenders (I used Tyson brand)
  • 1 lb uncooked cavatappi pasta
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup lite soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup pineapple juice
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 2 cups Italian blend shredded cheese
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 2 cups evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch
  • Bacon bits

Instructions

  1. Cook and drain pasta. Set aside.
  2. Cook chicken tenders in the oven according to instructions.
  3. While chicken tenders are cooking, combine honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple juice, vinegar, black pepper, and cayenne in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring the whole time. Bring down to a simmer and let simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. In another pan, combine cheese, butter, evaporated milk, parsley flakes, and garlic. Melt over medium-high heat until it starts to lightly boil. Add corn starch and whisk until it starts to thicken then bring to low heat until ready to serve, stirring occasionally.
  5. When chicken is done, remove from oven and cut into smaller pieces. Cover chicken with the honey sauce.
  6. Add pasta to the cheese sauce and mix until coated. Add bacon and chicken and serve.

Notes

Adapted from this recipe

© Katie Clark
Applebee's Mac and Cheese Recipe
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Clarks Condensed provides uplifting and motivating information to share the joys of home and family living through parenting and pregnancy advice, easy DIY tutorials, recipes, and more – all with a frugal twist. Read more...

Related topics:
Copycat Recipes Food Main Dish

April 1, 2018Katie

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Abigail Erdel says

    August 29, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    Made this this tonight and it was a hit! It tastes just like the original. 5 stars for sure!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 29, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      So happy to hear this! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Dee says

    April 20, 2020 at 12:30 pm

    I used to work there and it was my favorite thing to eat/make
    I have the actual recipe if you’d like 😁

    Reply
    • Katie says

      April 20, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      Sure, would love it! It really is delicious.

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 12, 2020 at 10:14 pm

        Raw bacon 8oz
        Yellow onion 4oz

        Alfredo 1lb

        Queso (Monterey jack,American cheese jalapeños and milk/cream) 2lb

        Shredded white cheddar 8oz

        Asiago cheese 3 oz

        Reply
        • Katie says

          May 13, 2020 at 11:08 am

          Thanks!

          Reply
    • Renee says

      August 17, 2020 at 6:43 pm

      I would LOVE the actual recipe!!!

      Reply
    • Melanie Erickson says

      September 20, 2020 at 3:08 pm

      Please please please can I have the Applebee’s 4 cheese mac and cheese with bacon recipie! I don’t care about the chicken, but I’m hooked on the mac and cheese@@

      Reply
  3. Amber says

    November 3, 2018 at 6:32 am

    Absolutely amazing recipe. My favorite dish at applebees…now in comfort of my own home. Only made one change to recipe you provide…i had to DOUBLE it…lol. thank you!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 4, 2018 at 8:51 am

      Love that change! Thanks so much for commenting 🙂 I’m SO glad you loved it! It’s one of our family favorites

      Reply
  4. Robert says

    October 13, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Couldn’t read your story about recipe nor follow the recipe due to all the advertisements popping up all over the screen. I love this dish at Applebee’s. Wish I could get the whole recipe from your site. Will look elsewhere
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      October 13, 2018 at 7:44 pm

      There shouldn’t be advertisements popping up all over the screen – if you are getting pop ups, you likely have malware on your computer or phone. Sorry to hear that! We have advertisements within the content of the post, but they definitely shouldn’t prevent you from reading the recipe.

      Reply
  5. Kathy Fuller says

    January 7, 2018 at 10:07 pm

    I WOULD SOOO LOVE A COPYCAT RECIPE FOR APPLEBEE’S BRISKET TACOS.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 11, 2018 at 4:43 pm

      I’ll have to try and make one!

      Reply
  6. Desiree says

    November 29, 2017 at 6:51 am

    My favorite dish from Applebee’s, I order it every time I go. Cannot believe I can have this kind of food from my own kitchen…Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 29, 2017 at 9:15 am

      I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  7. Sammy Freebush says

    February 1, 2017 at 7:32 pm

    Why does copycat recipe this exist? Had this at Applebees and it was literally the grossest thing I’ve ever eaten.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      February 2, 2017 at 9:09 am

      Well, it exists because it is one of their most popular recipes, so your opinion is likely not one that most people hold 😉

      Reply
  8. Ann Jennings says

    January 2, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    I have arthritis in my jaw so when we go out to eat I am always looking for soft stuff on the menu and ordered this mac and cheese at applebee’s and knew I had to get the recipe. Thank you so much for providing it! I actually made it with some left over ham in place of the chicken tenders and let me tell you…..hog heaven. If I died tonight, I will die knowing I had the best last meal ever. This should be illegal. hahaha

    Ann Jennings
    Fort Bragg, California.

    Reply
  9. Dori says

    June 4, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    I’ve ordered this the last three times I’ve been to Applebee’s lol Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      June 4, 2016 at 11:37 pm

      I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  10. Haley says

    April 25, 2016 at 3:40 pm

    Tastes exactly like the restaurant! My family was so pleased. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      April 25, 2016 at 9:59 pm

      I’m so glad you loved it! It’s one of our favorites as well 🙂

      Reply

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