Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken with Pasta Recipe

Some meals just feel like a warm, comforting hug, you know?

This Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken with Pasta is exactly that, a seriously tasty, ridiculously easy win for any night of the week.

Why This Recipe is a Weeknight Hero

Let’s be real, we’re all searching for that magical recipe that requires minimal effort for maximum flavor payoff.

This dish delivers precisely that, with just five simple ingredients and your trusty slow cooker doing all the heavy lifting.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Gather these five simple players, each one crucial to building that iconic, creamy, tangy flavor.

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless, they become incredibly tender as they slow-cook in the dressing.
• Olive Garden Italian Dressing: The star of the show, a whole bottle infuses the chicken with its signature herb and spice blend.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: It melts right into the sauce, adding a salty, nutty depth that’s absolutely essential.
• Cream Cheese: A block, softened, transforms the liquid into a luxuriously creamy, tangy sauce.
• Pasta: A sturdy shape like penne or rotini works best, holding onto that delicious sauce in every single bite.

How to make Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken with Pasta?

The process is almost too simple, a true testament to the power of a slow cooker.

You’ll have it prepped in five minutes flat, then your kitchen will smell amazing for hours.

Step 1- The Foundation

Lay your chicken breasts flat in the bottom of your crockpot.

Now, pour the entire bottle of dressing right over the top, letting it pool around the chicken.

Step 2- The Cheesy Topping

Sprinkle that first half-cup of parmesan evenly over the chicken and dressing.

Then, just place the whole block of cream cheese right on top, like a creamy, delicious crown.

Step 3- The Patient Wait

Pop the lid on, and do not peek, let the magic happen.

Cook it on low for 6 hours, or on high for about 4 hours, until the chicken shreds effortlessly.

Step 4- The Pasta & Finale

While the chicken finishes, cook your pasta to al dente according to the package directions.

Drain it well, then get ready to bring everything together.

Step 5- Bringing It All Home

Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the pot, it should fall apart.

Stir in the remaining parmesan, then fold in the cooked pasta until every piece is coated in that glorious, creamy sauce.

Perfect Pairings: What to Serve It With

This chicken and pasta is a hearty, complete meal all on its own, honestly.

But if you want to round things out, a simple side can make it feel extra special.

• A crisp, green salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully.
• Garlic bread, obviously, for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce.
• Steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus add a fresh, healthy pop of color to the plate.

Tips

• For the easiest shred, take the chicken out for a minute, shred it on a cutting board, then return it to the sauce.
• If your sauce seems too thick after adding the pasta, a splash of the pasta cooking water or a little chicken broth will loosen it right up.
• Let the cream cheese sit out while you prep the other ingredients, a softer block melts into the sauce more smoothly.

How to Store & Reheat Your Leftovers

Any leftovers are a true gift to your future self, the flavors meld even more overnight.

Just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Reheating is a breeze, simply warm single portions in the microwave.

You might add a tiny drizzle of water or broth before heating to keep the sauce creamy.

Your New Freezer Meal Secret

Yes, you can turn this into a brilliant freezer meal for the ultimate busy-day shortcut.

Just add the raw chicken, dressing, and first portion of parmesan to a freezer bag.

Squeeze out the air, seal it, and lay it flat to freeze, it’s that simple.

When you’re ready, thaw it slightly, dump it in the crock with the cream cheese, and cook as directed.

You get a home-cooked meal, with just a few minutes of actual work, it’s a game-changer.