Description

Craving a cozy, creamy pasta dish with minimal effort and maximum flavor? This Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is your answer! It’s inspired by the beloved flavors of the famous restaurant, combining tender shredded chicken with creamy Italian dressing, Parmesan, and pasta—all slow-cooked to comfort food perfection. It’s rich, flavorful, and ridiculously easy to throw together. Just dump, cook, and stir!

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Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken & Sauce:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (16 oz) bottle Italian dressing (Olive Garden brand or similar creamy version)
1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed and softened
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Italian seasoning

For the Pasta:

12 oz penne or rotini pasta (cooked and drained)
½ cup reserved pasta water (to loosen sauce if needed)

Optional Add-ins:

1 cup spinach, chopped
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes
Extra Parmesan and fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Step 1: Assemble in the Crockpot

Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crockpot.
Pour the entire bottle of Italian dressing over the chicken.
Add cubed cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic powder, black pepper, and Italian seasoning on top.
Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender and easily shreddable.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred it directly in the crockpot.
Stir everything together to mix the shredded chicken with the creamy, cheesy sauce.
If you’re adding spinach or tomatoes, mix them in now so they wilt into the sauce.

Step 3: Cook and Add the Pasta

While the chicken is finishing up, cook your pasta according to the package instructions.
Drain and reserve ½ cup of the pasta water in case the sauce needs thinning.
Stir the cooked pasta into the creamy chicken mixture.
If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Dish the pasta into bowls and top with extra Parmesan cheese.
Garnish with fresh parsley or basil for a bright finish.
Serve with a green salad and breadsticks for a complete Olive Garden experience at home!

Notes

Use Creamy Dressing – For the authentic flavor, go for a creamy-style Italian dressing.
Don’t Skip the Parmesan – It adds salty, cheesy depth to the sauce.
Soften Cream Cheese – Let it sit at room temp for easier melting.
Add Pasta Last – Always stir in cooked pasta at the end to avoid overcooking or mushiness.
Customize It – Add sautéed mushrooms, broccoli, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to spice it up.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–7 hours
Cuisine: American-Italian