Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
1,838 CommentsUpdated Jan 18, 2026
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Use Olive Garden Italian Dressing to make this Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta! It’s a creamy pasta dish that has so much flavor.
We love easy pasta dishes for the crockpot! Try my Baked Spaghetti, Feta and Tomato Pasta, or Beef Stroganoff recipes too!
I found this recipe in my Facebook group and had to try it out! You can make this Olive Garden Chicken with or without the pasta! Serve over rice or just with green steamed vegetables.
How to make Olive Garden Chicken Pasta in the Crockpot:
- Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker.
- Pour over one 16-ounce jar of Olive Garden Italian Dressing (or any Italian dressing you have on hand.
- Shake over grated parmesan cheese and ground pepper. Add one block of cream cheese.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or low for 5-6.
- Shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker.
- Cook 16 ounces of pasta according to the package directions on the stove-top. I am using penne pasta for this recipe.
- Add the drained pasta to the slow cooker along with the sauce and shredded chicken, stir.
- Sprinkle over more parmesan cheese if desired. I also garnished with a touch of oregano and black pepper.
Can I serve this chicken with something other than pasta?
- Serve over rice.
- Or with steamed vegetables.
Must I use cream cheese?
You can leave it out or add a cup of heavy cream at the end of cooking time is desired. Though the sauce will be thinner.
Does this taste like chicken alfredo?
This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is thick and creamy like alfredo but has a zesty Italian dressing flavor
What should I serve with olive garden chicken pasta?
Chose one or more of these great dishes to go along with this dish:
- Olive Garden Salad – Recipe by The Cookie Rookie
- Olive Garden Bread Sticks – Recipe by Lil Luna (or buy them premade, I get mine at Safeway)
- Slow Cooker Copycat Gnocchi Soup
- Slow Cooker Copycat Zuppa Toscana
- Slow Cooker Copycat Minestrone – Recipe by Tammilee Tips
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Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast, (1.5-2 pounds works fine)
- 16 oz. Olive Garden Italian dressing, (or any Italian dressing you like) Note- olive garden dressing is high in sodium and can be salty. Choose a lower sodium dressing if desired.
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 8 oz. cream cheese
Add these items after cooking time is up:
- 16 oz. penne pasta, cooked according to package directions and drain well
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Add the chicken breasts to the slow cooker.
- Pour over the Olive Garden Italian dressing and sprinkle over the parmesan cheese and pepper.
- Place the cream cheese on top.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours.
- When the cooking time is almost done, start cooking the pasta on the stove top as directed on the package.
- Shred the chicken with 2 forks. Drain the pasta and add to the chicken and sauce. Stir. Sprinkle over the remaining parmesan cheese.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Done this recipe a few times.
Family likes the addition of either peas or broccoli.
Mine came out dry after i added the pasta. What can i do to make it a little more moist
Can of cream of chicken, sour cream or some chicken broth.
Had this made for me last night it was wonderful! – I am not a fan of tomato based sauces so this was perfect.
This recipe is amazing!!!! I do not understand what you people talking about being “like a bowl of mush”. Maybe if you stick to the recipe it will turn out like mine that was DELICIOUS!!! Ya’ll just cant cook
Can diced/cooked rotisserie chicken be used? How long to cook?
I have not tried, sorry!
Too much dressing, flavor too strong. Will not make again as written.
You mentioned it’s more zesty than Alfredo, any recommendations on how to make it closer to Alfredo?
You’d have to leave out the Italian completely. Here are my 2 recipes that are more like alfredo: https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-cajun-chicken-fettuccine/ and https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-chicken-tetrazzini/
This was sooo good! I was afraid after reading the comments but I’m not sure what they were talking about when they say it was too salty or too tangy. It was perfect paired with a salad and garlic knots! My husband and son loved it too! Thanks for an easy and yummy meal!
If I double it do I need to cook for longer???
The same amount of time should do if you chicken is thawed. You will need a 7 quart or larger crockpot to double this and for it to be able to fit.
Can you use frozen chicken breasts?
Hi, I can’t advise on frozen meats in the slow cooker, some studies say it’s unsafe.
I did today because I decided to make it last minute and it turned out delicious.
When using frozen chicken breast did you have to increase the cook time?