Applebee’s Sizzlin’ Skillets Are Back, Starting at Just $12.99
Nothing gets your attention at a restaurant quite like a sizzling skillet making its way across the dining room. That familiar sound is back at Applebee’s, starting at $12.99.
On October 12, 2026, Applebee’s announced the return of its Sizzlin’ Skillets for a limited time, featuring two new dishes alongside returning favorites. With cheesy chicken, garlicky shrimp, and steak on the menu, the chain is giving customers several reasons to stop by this fall.
The Sizzlin’ Skillets Are Back for Fall
Applebee’s is bringing back one of its most recognizable dining experiences, complete with the sound and presentation that make skillet meals stand out.
The latest promotion features three highlighted entrées, each served with garlic mashed potatoes and seasoned broccoli. Customers can choose chicken, a chicken-and-shrimp combination, or steak, depending on what sounds good.
The promotion starts at $12.99, although that price doesn’t apply to every skillet. Applebee’s also makes it clear that prices and availability can differ by restaurant.
For diners who enjoy a hearty meal without ordering several separate dishes, the lineup offers an appealing combination of protein, vegetables, and a comforting side.
The New Cheesy Chicken Skillet Starts at $12.99
Cheese lovers, this one deserves your attention.
The Cheesy Chicken Skillet is the advertised starting-price option, featuring grilled chicken breast covered in a creamy Parmesan and White Cheddar sauce.
Applebee’s adds Applewood-smoked bacon and crispy onions on top, adding smoky, crunchy elements to the cheesy mix. Garlic mashed potatoes and seasoned broccoli complete the dish.
It’s an appealing choice for anyone who usually orders chicken but wants something a little more exciting than a plain grilled entrée.
The cheese sauce, bacon, and crispy onions make this the most indulgent-sounding chicken option in the lineup.
And with a starting price of $12.99, it’s the first option worth checking if you’re watching your restaurant spending.
Chicken & Shrimp Scampi Brings Two Favorites Together
Can’t decide between chicken and seafood? Applebee’s has an option that gives you both.
The Chicken & Shrimp Scampi Skillet pairs grilled chicken breast with sautéed shrimp in a garlicky lemon-butter sauce. Like the Cheesy Chicken Skillet, it comes with garlic mashed potatoes and seasoned broccoli.
The lemon-butter sauce gives this dish a different flavor profile than the creamy, cheese-covered chicken.
Although Applebee’s markets this skillet as new in its current promotion, the Chicken & Shrimp Scampi name previously appeared in the chain’s 2022 skillet lineup.
The company hasn’t published a nationwide price for this selection. Its cost may exceed the advertised $12.99 starting price, so check your local menu before ordering.
The Garlic Sirloin Skillet Makes Its Return
Steak fans haven’t been forgotten.
The returning Garlic Sirloin Skillet features seasoned top sirloin steak, grilled and topped with buttery garlic and parsley.
It’s served with the same garlic mashed potatoes and seasoned broccoli as the other two featured dishes.
Unlike the Cheesy Chicken Skillet, which leans into rich cheese sauce and crispy toppings, this option keeps its flavor focus on steak, butter, garlic, and herbs.
Applebee’s previously featured a Garlic Sirloin Skillet in its 2025 menu promotions, so this isn’t an entirely unfamiliar offering.
The company hasn’t confirmed one standard nationwide price for the latest version. Customers should expect the amount to depend on their participating restaurant.
The Bourbon Street Favorites Are Still Available
The three featured dishes aren’t the entire skillet lineup.
Applebee’s is also keeping its established Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp and Bourbon Street Steak selections on the broader menu.
The Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp features Cajun-seasoned chicken and blackened shrimp with buttery garlic and parsley, alongside sautéed mushrooms and onions.
The Bourbon Street Steak provides another option for customers who prefer steak with bolder seasoning.
These returning favorites help round out the selection for diners who enjoy Applebee’s familiar flavors.
Keep in mind that their sides and prices may differ from the three dishes featured in the fall announcement.
Why the $12.99 Starting Price Matters
Restaurant customers are paying closer attention to their bills, and Applebee’s latest promotion arrives during a period when affordable dining options matter.
According to the National Restaurant Association’s September 2026 consumer research, 40% of surveyed consumers said they relied more on restaurant discounts and value promotions in the third quarter. That was up from 35% during the previous quarter.
The same research found that 39% reported spending less at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, than they had in the second quarter.
Against that backdrop, a skillet starting at $12.99 offers budget-conscious diners another option.
Of course, the final bill depends on the dish, location, and any extras ordered. Don’t mistake the starting price for a flat price across the entire menu.
You Can Enjoy the Skillets at Home, Too
Want the food without heading into the dining room? Applebee’s has that covered.
The new skillet lineup is available for dine-in, To Go, and delivery, with digital ordering offered through the Applebee’s website and mobile app.
One difference is worth considering, though.
Dining inside the restaurant offers the tableside sizzling presentation that gives these dishes their name. Takeout customers can still enjoy the food, but they won’t receive that same restaurant experience.
If the sound and presentation are part of the appeal, eating at Applebee’s might be the better choice.
If convenience matters more, ordering ahead offers another way to enjoy the returning selections.
Related: 6 Tiny Restaurant Touches That Are Quietly Winning Over Diners and Making Every Visit Feel Personal
A Few Things to Check Before Ordering
Before heading to Applebee’s, take a moment to look at your local restaurant’s menu.
The Cheesy Chicken Skillet is the advertised $12.99 starting-price option, but the Chicken & Shrimp Scampi and Garlic Sirloin selections may cost more.
Taxes and gratuity aren’t included in the advertised price. Drinks, appetizers, and desserts are also separate purchases.
Applebee’s hasn’t announced an end date for the skillet promotion, though it has confirmed it’s available for a limited time.
Check availability before making a special trip to avoid an unnecessary drive.
The Bottom Line
Applebee’s is bringing some extra excitement to fall dining with a familiar sizzling presentation and a refreshed selection of hearty entrées.
The $12.99 Cheesy Chicken Skillet offers an accessible starting point, and the chicken-and-shrimp and garlic sirloin options give diners more variety. If you’ve missed those sizzling restaurant skillets, this limited-time return could be a good excuse to revisit Applebee’s.
