Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Recipe
Effortless Comfort Food Pasta Dishes.
An easy, creamy, and flavorful Italian-inspired chicken dish made right in your slow cooker.
I remember the first time I tried this. It was a rainy Tuesday, one of those days where everything feels a little gray. I tossed everything into the slow cooker in the morning, almost forgetting about it until the savory smell of Italian dressing and garlic started wafting through the house. By dinnertime, the chicken was so tender it just fell apart. We served it over hot pasta, and wow, it felt like a hug in a bowl. It’s become a family staple since then, a little bit of sunshine on a cloudy day.
Why This Recipe Feels Like Home
- •It's a true 'set it and forget it' meal, perfect for busy days.
- •The sauce is unbelievably creamy and packed with zesty flavor.
- •It makes the entire house smell absolutely amazing while it cooks.
- •The chicken becomes incredibly tender and shreds with no effort.
- •It's pure comfort food that the whole family will love.
Honestly, this is a game-changer for weeknight dinners! My family went crazy for it, and my picky eater even asked for seconds. The sauce is so creamy and delicious. I can't believe how easy it was to make. This recipe is definitely going into our regular rotation.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: They cook up so tender in the slow cooker and shred beautifully. You could also use chicken thighs if you prefer a richer flavor.
- Olive Garden Italian Dressing: This is really the key flavor. The signature zesty, creamy dressing creates the base for the whole sauce. I mean, it's right in the name!
- Cream Cheese: Make sure it's softened so it melts into the sauce smoothly. This is what gives the dish that luscious, creamy texture. Ugh, so good.
Complete Cooking Process
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
- Pour the entire bottle of Italian dressing over the chicken.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper on top.
- Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and place them on top of the chicken. Don't worry about stirring it in just yet.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. The chicken should be fully cooked and tender.
- Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker.
- Stir everything together until the cream cheese is fully melted and a creamy sauce forms.
- Serve the chicken and sauce over a bed of freshly cooked pasta and garnish with a little chopped parsley.
Your Questions Answered
→Can I use a different kind of Italian dressing?
You can, but for that authentic 'Olive Garden' flavor, their brand is really the best. If you use another zesty Italian, it will still be delicious, just a little different.
→What kind of pasta is best for this?
I love it with penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine—something that can really hold onto that creamy sauce. But honestly, any pasta you have on hand will work just fine.
→Can I make this on the stovetop?
Yes, you could simmer it in a Dutch oven on low heat for about 30-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. The slow cooker just makes it extra tender and easy.
→Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Absolutely! It stores beautifully in the fridge. I sometimes make a big batch and portion it out for lunches during the week. It reheats really well.
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Recipe
Slow cooker Olive Garden chicken pasta is easy to make! This creamy, flavorful dish is perfect over pasta or rice. Try this Italian-inspired dinner!
Timing
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
4-6 hours
Total Time
4 hours 10 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 012 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 021 (16 oz) bottle Olive Garden Italian dressing
- 031/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 041 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 051 teaspoon garlic powder
- 061/2 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- 011 lb cooked pasta (like penne or fettuccine)
- 02Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
Pour the entire bottle of Italian dressing over the chicken. Sprinkle with the grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Cut the softened cream cheese into cubes and place them on top of the chicken and seasonings. There's no need to stir at this point.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. It should fall apart easily.
Stir everything together until the cream cheese is completely melted and a smooth, creamy sauce has formed.
Serve the chicken and sauce generously over freshly cooked pasta, and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
Notes & Tips
- 1The chicken is also wonderful served over rice, mashed potatoes, or even quinoa.
- 2For a lower-fat version, you can try using Neufchâtel cheese instead of full-fat cream cheese.
- 3Feel free to add some sliced mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra texture and flavor.
Tools You'll Need
- •Use softened cream cheese for the creamiest, smoothest sauce.
- •Don't lift the lid while it's cooking! The slow cooker needs to maintain its temperature to cook evenly.
- •If the sauce seems too thick, you can stir in a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to thin it out to your liking.
- •Shred the chicken right in the slow cooker to save on dishes and keep all those juices in the sauce.
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