Description

This Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta recipe features tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in Olive Garden Italian Dressing, combined with creamy cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and perfectly cooked penne pasta. It’s a comforting, flavorful meal made effortlessly in the slow cooker and ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners with family.

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
Salt for pasta water

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 pasta with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or rotini if preferred.
If sun dried tomatoes are not available, you can omit or replace with chopped roasted red peppers for a different flavor.
For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and parmesan.
Cooked leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Adding fresh basil at the end preserves its vibrant flavor and aroma.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Slow Cooker Chicken Pasta, Olive Garden Copycat, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Italian Dressing Chicken, Easy Slow Cooker Dinner