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Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 81 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 hours
  • Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired

Description

This Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts cook slowly in a luscious blend of Olive Garden Italian dressing, cream cheese, and Parmesan, creating a rich sauce that perfectly coats penne or rotini pasta. Garnished with fresh parsley, this comforting pasta recipe is sure to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Sauce

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 16 oz Olive Garden Italian dressing
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Pasta

  • 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Garnish

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare chicken in crockpot: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the crockpot, ensuring they lay flat for even cooking.
  2. Add dressing and seasonings: Pour the Olive Garden Italian dressing over the chicken to coat it thoroughly. Add softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using, distributing them evenly over the chicken.
  3. Cook chicken: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
  4. Shred chicken: Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the crockpot, mixing it thoroughly with the creamy sauce to combine flavors.
  5. Cook pasta: While the chicken cooks, boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
  6. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta and reserved pasta water to the crockpot. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy chicken sauce.
  7. Let flavors meld: Set the crockpot to WARM and let the pasta sit for 5-10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and flavors to meld.
  8. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for a fresh, bright finish before serving.

Notes

  • You can substitute rotini for penne or any other pasta shape you prefer.
  • For a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
  • Make sure to reserve pasta water as it helps loosen the sauce and better coats the pasta.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.

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Find it online: https://dessertpinspiration.com/crockpot-olive-garden-chicken-pasta-recipe/