Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Pasta for Busy Weeknights Recipe
This Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Pasta recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, combining tender slow-cooked chicken with a rich and creamy sauce made from Olive Garden Italian dressing, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Served over your choice of pasta, it’s a comforting, flavorful meal that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes (low) or 3 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken
- 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, thawed before cooking
For the Sauce
- 1 cup Olive Garden Italian Dressing or homemade vinaigrette
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded or shaved
- 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper, adjust to taste
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces Pasta (Penne or Rotini) or low-carb alternatives like rice or quinoa
Instructions
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Spray your slow cooker with cooking spray or use a liner for easy cleanup to prevent sticking and facilitate cleaning afterwards.
- Add Chicken: Place thawed boneless skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker, spacing them out evenly to ensure even cooking.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour the Olive Garden Italian dressing evenly over the chicken breasts for maximum flavor infusion.
- Add Cheeses: Sprinkle the shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese on top of the chicken, then add the cream cheese in blocks for a creamy, smooth sauce.
- Cook Chicken: Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Cook Pasta: About 30 minutes before serving, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain well.
- Shred Chicken and Combine: Using two forks, gently shred the cooked chicken directly in the slow cooker and mix with the melted cream cheese and Parmesan until combined into a creamy sauce.
- Mix Pasta and Serve: Stir the cooked pasta into the creamy chicken mixture until thoroughly combined. Serve hot for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- Add fresh herbs such as basil or parsley before serving to enhance flavor and add a pop of color.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a low-carb option, substitute the pasta with cooked quinoa or rice.
- Using a slow cooker liner makes cleanup quick and simple.
- Let us know your variations and how you liked this recipe!
Keywords: Creamy chicken pasta, slow cooker chicken, Olive Garden dressing recipe, easy weeknight dinner, creamy Parmesan pasta, slow cooker recipes
