Applebee’s homestyle chicken bowl is a popular menu item at the American casual dining restaurant chain. The bowl features juicy grilled chicken breast strips, hearty potatoes, corn, green beans, and a creamy homestyle gravy. With its combination of protein, vegetables, and savory gravy, this bowl makes for a satisfying and comforting meal.
Ingredients in Applebee’s Homestyle Chicken Bowl
The main ingredients in Applebee’s homestyle chicken bowl include:
- Chicken breast strips – The bowl contains grilled, boneless chicken breast strips, which provide a good source of lean protein.
- Potatoes – Thick-cut potatoes are included, providing carbohydrates and fiber.
- Corn – The bowl has sweet, tender corn kernels, adding vitamins and embellishing the dish with color.
- Green beans – Fresh green beans contribute nutrients like vitamin C and vitamin K.
- Homestyle gravy – A creamy, savory gravy brings all the ingredients together and gives the bowl its distinctive flavor.
In addition to these main components, the chicken bowl also contains small amounts of other ingredients like onions, garlic, wheat flour, milk, chicken broth, salt, and black pepper.
Nutrition Information
The Applebee’s homestyle chicken bowl provides a good balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables. Here is the nutrition information for the regular size bowl:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 490 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 105mg |
| Sodium | 1280mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 44g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Protein | 36g |
As you can see, the regular chicken bowl provides 490 calories, 18g of fat, 44g of carbs, and 36g of protein. It contains a moderate amount of sodium at 1280mg.
Low-Calorie Option
Applebee’s also offers a lower-calorie version of the homestyle chicken bowl. Here are the nutrition facts for the low-calorie bowl:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 370 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 75mg |
| Sodium | 1070mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 39g |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Protein | 29g |
The low-cal chicken bowl contains 370 calories, 8g fat, 39g carbs, and 29g protein. It’s a lighter option for those watching their calorie intake.
Taste and Flavor Profile
Here’s a breakdown of the key flavors and textures in Applebee’s homestyle chicken bowl:
- Chicken – The grilled chicken breast provides a savory, smoky flavor along with a tender, juicy texture.
- Potatoes – The potatoes have a creamy, starchy quality and provide heartiness.
- Corn – The sweet corn kernels add pops of flavor and a crunchy texture.
- Green beans – The fresh green beans contribute grassy, vegetal notes.
- Gravy – The rich, creamy homestyle gravy ties everything together, coating each bite with savory flavor.
Altogether, the combination of smoky chicken, starchy potatoes, sweet corn, fresh green beans, and creamy gravy makes for a very comforting, satisfying flavor profile. The textures also complement each other nicely between the tender chicken, fluffy potatoes, crisp-tender vegetables, and smooth gravy.
Seasoning
In terms of seasoning, Applebee’s uses a special blend of spices and herbs to give their homestyle gravy its signature flavor. While the exact recipe is proprietary, it likely contains:
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Bay leaves
This blend of spices perfectly seasons the creamy gravy, enhancing the savory flavors of the chicken and vegetables.
Preparation Method
To put together Applebee’s homestyle chicken bowl, each component is prepared separately before being assembled in the bowl.
Chicken
The chicken breast strips are likely marinated or seasoned, then grilled until cooked through and nicely charred. This gives the chicken a smoky, grilled flavor.
Potatoes
The potatoes are boiled until fork tender, then thickly sliced or diced. This yields soft, pillowy potato pieces.
Corn and Green Beans
The corn and green beans are briefly blanched or steamed to warm through and soften slightly while retaining their vibrant color and crisp-tender bite.
Gravy
The homestyle gravy is made with a roux of flour and butter cooked into a paste, then whisked together with milk, chicken broth, and seasonings. It simmers until thickened into a creamy, savory gravy.
Assembly
Once each element is prepared, the hot chicken, potatoes, corn, and green beans are layered in a bowl. The hot gravy is generously ladled over the top to finish it off. A sprinkle of parsley garnish adds freshness and color.
Where to Buy Applebee’s Homestyle Chicken Bowl
Since the homestyle chicken bowl is a signature menu item, it’s available exclusively at Applebee’s locations. There are a few ways to enjoy this bowl:
- Dine-in at an Applebee’s restaurant
- To-go or delivery order from Applebee’s
- Purchase frozen heat-and-eat version from grocery store (limited availability)
You can find your nearest Applebee’s location and order online for takeout or delivery on the Applebee’s website. For a convenient at-home option, the microwavable frozen version can sometimes be found in the frozen food section of select grocery stores like Walmart.
Copycat Recipe
To recreate the flavors of Applebee’s popular homestyle chicken bowl at home, try this copycat recipe:
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
- 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups cubed russet potatoes
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 cup chopped green beans
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1⁄2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1⁄4 tsp thyme
- 1⁄4 tsp parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season chicken strips with flour, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Meanwhile, boil potatoes until fork tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Steam or microwave corn and green beans just until tender-crisp, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
- To make gravy, melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 2 Tbsp flour until smooth paste forms.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer.
- Add thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer until gravy thickens, about 5-10 minutes.
- Add cooked chicken, potatoes, corn, and green beans to a bowl. Pour gravy over the top.
- Garnish with extra parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Conclusion
With its savory combination of tender grilled chicken, hearty potatoes, sweet corn, fresh green beans, and creamy gravy, Applebee’s homestyle chicken bowl is a customer favorite. This bowl provides a good balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables. While the signature bowl is only available at Applebee’s, you can recreate it at home with a simple copycat recipe. Have fun experimenting with different seasonings and gravy flavors to make this comforting bowl your own!