This Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and incredibly easy dish that brings restaurant flavor straight into my kitchen. Made with tender shredded chicken, Olive Garden Italian dressing, parmesan cheese, and a luscious cream cheese sauce tossed with pasta, it’s the kind of no-fuss comfort food I keep on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s practically effortless. I just toss everything into the slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a creamy, flavor-packed chicken dish that feels like it came from a restaurant. It’s perfect for busy weekdays, family dinners, or even meal prep. The sauce is rich, tangy, and cheesy, and the slow cooker does all the work for me.
ingredients
(Here's a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive Garden Italian dressing
- Cream cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- Optional: fresh parsley or extra parmesan for garnish
directions
- I place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- I pour the Olive Garden Italian dressing over the chicken, then add the cream cheese, grated parmesan, garlic powder, and pepper on top.
- I cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- I shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks and stir everything until it’s smooth and creamy.
- While the chicken finishes, I cook the pasta according to package instructions and drain it.
- I stir the cooked pasta into the slow cooker and mix everything together until fully coated.
- I serve it warm with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or extra parmesan if I want a little something extra.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 6 servings.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 4–5 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
Total time: 4–5 hours
Variations
Swapping the pasta for cooked rice or serving the chicken over mashed potatoes gives me a different spin. I also like using rotini or bow tie pasta because they hold the sauce really well. For a veggie boost, I stir in spinach, peas, or broccoli just before serving.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I warm individual portions in the microwave for about 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway through. If the sauce thickens too much, I add a splash of milk to loosen it. It’s best eaten fresh, but I’ve also frozen it (without the pasta) and reheated with freshly cooked noodles.
FAQs
Can I use a different Italian dressing?
Yes, but I find that the Olive Garden brand gives the best flavor—it’s creamy and tangy with just the right balance. Other brands work, but the result may taste slightly different.
Can I make this with frozen chicken?
I prefer using thawed chicken for food safety, but if I’m using frozen, I make sure to cook it on high and extend the cooking time until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
What kind of pasta is best?
I usually go with penne or rotini, but honestly, any short pasta shape works great. I’ve even used spaghetti when that’s all I had, and it was still delicious.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, I’ve cooked everything except the pasta ahead of time, then added freshly cooked pasta just before serving. It helps keep the pasta from getting too soft.
Is this dish spicy?
Not at all, but if I want a little heat, I’ll sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is the ultimate easy comfort food. It’s rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, and I love how the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Whether I’m feeding a crowd or just want an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe always hits the mark—and the leftovers are just as good the next day.
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–5 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Total Time: 4–5 hours
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner, Slow Cooker, Pasta
- Method: Slow Cooker, Crockpot
- Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Description
This Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a creamy, cheesy, and flavor-packed comfort food dish made effortlessly in the crockpot. With tender shredded chicken, Olive Garden Italian dressing, parmesan, cream cheese, and pasta, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner that's always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive Garden Italian dressing
- Cream cheese
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- Pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
- Optional: fresh parsley or extra parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Pour Olive Garden Italian dressing over the chicken.
- Add cream cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and black pepper on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker and stir to combine into a creamy sauce.
- While chicken finishes, cook pasta according to package instructions and drain.
- Stir cooked pasta into the slow cooker until fully coated in sauce.
- Serve warm with fresh parsley or extra parmesan, if desired.
Notes
- Serve over mashed potatoes or rice instead of pasta.
- Stir in vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or peas near the end for added nutrition.
- Freeze sauce without pasta for best texture upon reheating.
