My family took one bit of this recipe, and it became an instant favorite! It’s simple to prepare and the combination between the tangy Olive Garden dressing and cream cheese makes it a hit every time.
Ingredients For Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
This tangy and creamy Chicken Pasta needs the following ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts. If you are a dark meat lover, by all means, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing, which you can find at most supermarket chains, but if you can’t find it or don’t want to use it, you can use your favorite Italian dressing.
- Cream Cheese is the ingredient responsible for giving this dish its creamy texture. You can use reduced-calorie cream cheese, Greek yogurt, or a combination of both if you want a lighter version of this dish.
- Parmesan cheese is a bit salty, provides tons of flavor, and contributes to the creamy texture.
- Penne pasta or any short pasta shape you have on hand. I think it’s better than using long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine that could overcook in the slow cooker.
- Paprika adds flavor to the creamy sauce.
- Butter is combined with breadcrumbs and freshly chopped parsley to make the best crispy topping! Use unsalted.
- Italian-style breadcrumbs not only add crunch to the dish but also provide flavor with their mixture of dried herbs.
- Fresh parsley finishes the dish and gives it that fresh pop of flavor and color.
How Do I Make Olive Garden Chicken Pasta in The Slow Cooker?
To make this easy recipe, follow these simple steps:
- Place the chicken breasts, Olive Garden dressing, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, paprika, and pepper in the slow cooker pot.
- Mix everything around and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board or plate and shred it.
- Using a whisk, mix the sauce left in the crock pot until smooth. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Save one cup of the cooking water, and drain.
- Add the cooking water and the cooked pasta to the crockpot. Mix everything.
Make the topping in a small saucepan or skillet, and melt the butter. Add the breadcrumbs and cook them until lightly toasted. Mix in the chopped parsley.
Serve the pasta with the toasted breadcrumbs on top.
How To Make A Breadcrumb Topping Extra Crunchy?
If you like your breadcrumb topping to be extra crunchy, I recommend using Panko breadcrumbs instead of the regular ones.
Add Italian seasoning for flavor. Panko breadcrumbs are much more crispy and crunchy and you will love the result.
Cooking Tips:
- For a creamier sauce cut the cream cheese into small cubes before mixing it in the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients.
- If you don’t have Olive Garden dressing, don’t worry, you can use your favorite Italian dressing. You can even use a light version for fewer calories
- If cream cheese feels too heavy for you, try using half the amount (in a light version) and half of Greek yogurt, or using only Greek yogurt instead of the cream cheese.
Make Ahead And Storage Instructions:
If you want to make this dish ahead of time, cook the chicken as per the recipe and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
When ready to serve, simply reheat and pair it with freshly cooked pasta and crunchy topping.
This pasta dish reheats very well, you can also make it ahead of time, let it come to room temperature, place it in an airtight container and in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I don’t recommend freezing it. Cream sauces in pasta don’t freeze well due to the fat content in the sauce. The fat separates when frozen, so they don’t thaw nicely. You can reheat it in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this creamy pasta entree with a slice of toasted garlic bread and a simple side salad with Italian dressing, or steamed, buttered veggies.
Need more ideas? Check out these delicious recipes:
- Easy Shredded Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Best Cheesy Taco Pasta Recipe
- Quick One-Pan Southwest Chicken Alfredo Bake
- Creamy Gorgonzola Chicken with Sage
- Quick & Easy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
Did you love our Olive Garden Chicken Pasta? Give us some feedback in the comments section!
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1-16 oz bottle Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing (or your favorite Italian dressing)
- 8 oz cream cheese, cut into cubes (or Greek yogurt for a lighter version)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 cup pasta cooking water
- 16 oz penne pasta
- ½ tbsp butter
- ½ cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts, Olive Garden dressing, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, paprika, and pepper in the pot of the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4 hours.
- Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board or plate and shred them.
- Using a whisk, mix the sauce left in the crock pot until smooth. Return the shredded chicken to the pot.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of the cooking water, and drain.
- Stir the pasta and cooking water into the crockpot.
- Make the topping: in a small saucepan or skillet, melt the butter. Add the breadcrumbs and cook them until lightly toasted. Mix in the chopped parsley
- Serve the pasta with the toasted breadcrumbs on top, a slice of garlic bread and a side salad.
Notes
- Cutting the cream cheese into cubes makes it easier to dissolve.
- After placing all ingredients into the crockpot, stir them until combined before turning it on.
- Don’t forget to add the pasta cooking water, the sauce will be too thick. You need to thin it down a little.
- For a crispier topping, use Panko breadcrumbs instead of the regular ones.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I Add Vegetables To This Dish?
Yes, you can. Try adding chopped broccoli, spinach, or zucchini during the last hour of cooking, this way they will cook through but still have a bite to them.
2. What If My Sauce Is Too Thick?
The best way to thin out a pasta sauce is to mix in some pasta cooking water. Make sure you reserve at least one cup before you drain your pasta. Add it little by little until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Don’t worry if the cream cheese looks a bit chunky during cooking, it will blend smoothly once everything is stirred together.
3. My Sauce Is Too Salty. What Can I Do?
Depending on what dressing you use and the amount of salt it has, you may feel your dish is too salty. Don’t worry! Just add a bit of milk or heavy cream to your sauce to balance out the saltiness of the dressing.
4. How Do I Know When The Chicken Is Cooked Through?
The chicken should be ready when it shreds easily with two forks. If you feel it is still tough, give it a bit more time to cook.
5. What Can I Serve With Olive Garden Chicken Pasta?
The perfect way to serve this creamy pasta is with a side of garlic bread and a side salad or steamed vegetables. Adding extra Parmesan cheese on top is a must!
6. How Can I Make This Dish Low-Carb Or Keto?
Instead of serving this dish with pasta, do it with zoodles (zucchini noodles), or cauliflower rice. This will keep it low-carb but still delicious!
