Olive Garden Chicken Pasta: A Super Delicious & Easy Crockpot Recipe
If you’re craving a hearty, creamy pasta dish that’s both incredibly delicious and simple to make, the Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is the perfect recipe to satisfy your taste buds. Inspired by the popular Olive Garden dish, this crockpot version delivers all the rich flavors you love, with minimal effort required. Whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a comforting meal for the family, this recipe is bound to become a new favorite in your home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before diving into the recipe instructions, let’s take a look at the ingredients that make this Olive Garden-inspired chicken pasta so irresistible:
- 1 block of cream cheese – This is the key to creating the rich and creamy sauce that coats the pasta and chicken.
- 1 package of penne noodles – Penne pasta works best for this recipe, as its shape allows it to hold the creamy sauce beautifully.
- 1 bottle of Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing – The signature Italian dressing gives the dish its authentic, bold, tangy flavor that enhances the chicken and pasta.
- Black pepper – A pinch of black pepper adds a subtle kick to balance out the richness of the cream cheese and dressing.
- 2-3 chicken breasts – The star of the show, chicken breasts are tenderized in the crockpot, making them easy to shred once cooked.
- Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional) – For added flavor, shredded Parmesan cheese is added to the mix. It gives the dish a savory, cheesy finish.
- Milk (optional) – While not part of the original recipe, adding a small amount of milk to the dressing bottle helps extract excess seasonings and enhances the flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Best Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Prepare the Crockpot
Begin by lining your crockpot with 2-3 chicken breasts. You can use fresh or frozen chicken breasts for this recipe, depending on what you have available. The slow cooking process will make the chicken incredibly tender and easy to shred later.
Step 2: Add the Italian Dressing and Cream Cheese
Next, pour the entire bottle of Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing over the chicken breasts. For extra flavor, take the empty bottle and fill it halfway with milk, then shake it up to get any leftover seasoning, and pour it over the chicken and dressing.
Place the cream cheese block on top of the chicken. This will melt into a rich, creamy sauce as the chicken cooks, infusing the dish with a luscious texture and flavor.
Step 3: Add Shredded Parmesan and Black Pepper
Sprinkle shredded Parmesan cheese over the top of the mixture. This cheese will melt into the sauce, adding a cheesy depth of flavor that complements the cream cheese and Italian dressing. Season the dish with a pinch of black pepper for a bit of spice and to enhance the other ingredients.
Step 4: Cook the Dish
Cover the crockpot and set it to cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours. The chicken will cook slowly, becoming incredibly tender and easily shreddable. The sauce will thicken and develop a rich, creamy texture as the cream cheese melts into the dressing and Parmesan.
Step 5: Shred the Chicken and Add the Noodles
Once the chicken is cooked and tender, remove the breasts from the crockpot and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot and mix it with the sauce.
Meanwhile, cook the penne noodles according to the package instructions. Drain the noodles and then add them to the crockpot with the chicken and sauce mixture. Stir everything together until the pasta is well-coated with the creamy sauce.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once everything is combined, your Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is ready to serve! You can enjoy this dish immediately, or let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld even more. This pasta dish is a comforting, satisfying meal that everyone will love.
Why This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a Must-Try
Effortless Cooking with Big Flavor
One of the best things about this crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta recipe is how easy it is to prepare. With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a meal that tastes like it came from a restaurant. The crockpot does all the work, ensuring the chicken stays moist and tender while the flavors develop beautifully.
Perfect for Busy Weeknights
This recipe is ideal for busy weeknights when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. Simply add all the ingredients to the crockpot, set it and forget it! By the time you’re ready for dinner, you’ll have a creamy, flavorful dish waiting for you.
A Crowd-Pleaser for Any Occasion
Whether you’re cooking for your family, hosting a dinner party, or preparing a meal for a potluck, this Olive Garden Chicken Pasta will surely impress. Its creamy texture and bold flavors make it a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love. Plus, it’s easily scalable—you can adjust the recipe to serve more or fewer people depending on your needs.
Customizable to Your Taste
While this recipe is already full of flavor, you can easily customize it to suit your preferences. Add some garlic, onions, or fresh herbs like basil and parsley to elevate the dish even further. You can also swap out the penne pasta for other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini, depending on what you have available.
Conclusion: The Perfect Comfort Food Recipe
This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is everything you want in a comfort food recipe—rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. It’s simple enough for everyday meals yet impressive enough to serve at special occasions. The combination of cream cheese, Italian dressing, and shredded chicken creates an unforgettable dish that’s bound to become a staple in your kitchen.
Whether you’re a busy parent looking for an easy dinner solution or a pasta lover craving something indulgent, this recipe is sure to satisfy. Best of all, it’s easy to make and requires little preparation, allowing you to enjoy a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Give this recipe a try today, and prepare to fall in love with the irresistible flavors of Olive Garden chicken pasta, made effortlessly in your crockpot.