Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts cooked in a savory Italian dressing and sun-dried tomatoes, finished off with creamy parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, it uses a slow cooker to achieve rich, melt-in-your-mouth textures with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 bottle (16 ounces) Olive Garden Italian Dressing
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 4–5 basil leaves, torn
Pasta
- 1 pound penne pasta
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts into a large slow cooker. Pour the entire bottle of Olive Garden Italian Dressing evenly over the chicken to ensure it is well coated and adds flavor during cooking.
- Add Cheese and Tomatoes: Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the grated parmesan cheese over the chicken and dressing. Add the chopped sun dried tomatoes on top, then place the block of cream cheese in the center of the slow cooker for gradual melting during cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 5 to 6 hours, or alternatively on high heat for 4 hours. This slow cooking process ensures the chicken becomes tender and infused with the dressing’s Italian flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: Approximately 30 minutes before the chicken is finished, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is fully cooked and fork-tender, shred it directly in the slow cooker using two forks, mixing it with the melted cream cheese and dressing to create a creamy sauce base.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the torn basil leaves, the remaining 1/4 cup of grated parmesan cheese, and the cooked penne pasta to the slow cooker. Stir everything together thoroughly until well combined and the pasta is coated in the flavorful sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the creamy chicken pasta hot directly from the slow cooker, garnished with extra parmesan or fresh basil if desired. Enjoy this hearty, rich meal fresh off the stove.
Notes
- You can substitute penne with other short pasta like rigatoni or rotini if preferred.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook the pasta slightly under al dente to absorb more sauce.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a lighter option, use reduced-fat cream cheese and parmesan cheese.
- Adding vegetables like spinach or mushrooms in the last hour of cooking can enhance nutrition and flavor.
Keywords: Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta, Olive Garden Style, Italian Dressing Chicken, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Easy Slow Cooker Recipe
