3 ingredients, 5-minute prep! This copycat crockpot Olive Garden Chicken is juicy, tender, and packed with bold and tangy flavors! A copycat Olive Garden chicken pasta dish full of true Italian flavors!
There is good reason this slow cooker Olive Garden Chicken pasta will become your favorite recipe. Maybe you have seen this viral video on TikTok. Well, now is the time to try it for yourself.
Great recipe! Definitely 5+ Stars!
K
Followed the directions exactly as listed. Used Olive Garden Italian dressing, Penne pasta, cream cheese, etc. Served with a green salad and garlic bread. They LOVED IT!!! Was asked to save this recipe, and make again – SOON! Thank you for sharing!
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This Olive Garden Crockpot Chicken Makes the Perfect Dish
If you’re looking for a dish that combines ease with incredible flavor, this Olive Garden Crockpot Chicken is just what you need. With years of experience creating and perfecting recipes, I can confidently say that this slow cooker meal is a standout.
But don’t just take my word for it—One reader commented: “Great recipe! Definitely 5+ Stars! Followed the directions exactly as listed. Used Olive Garden Italian dressing, Penne pasta, cream cheese, etc. Served with a green salad and garlic bread. They LOVED IT!!! Was asked to save this recipe, and make again – SOON! Thank you for sharing!” ~ K
The chicken comes out so tender and full of flavor, just like something you’d enjoy at a cozy Italian spot. It’s one of those recipes that’s perfect for a regular family dinner but still special enough to share with guests. And the best part? It’s super simple to make with just a few ingredients and hardly any effort.
Trust me, after one bite, you’ll see why this recipe has become a favorite in so many households. It’s a must-try for any home cook looking to bring a little bit of Olive Garden magic to their table!
If you love slow cooker or Instant Pot meals, you will love these other reader favorites; like my Instant Pot Bow Tie Pasta, this meal prep favorite Healthier Crack Chicken or my barbecue pulled pork recipe and this fall apart tender Barbacoa Beef recipe.
Olive Garden Chicken Crock Pot Ingredients
- Italian Dressing | For a true copy of the Olive Garden chicken, use Olive Garden dressing. I have used Brianna’s Italian Salad Dressing, Trader Joe’s Romano Caesar, and Simply Organic Italian, but my favorite is my homemade zesty Italian dressing recipe. Olive Garden dressing, while delish, is high in sodium and has high fructose corn syrup, ew 🙁
- Boneless Chicken Breasts | You want approximately 2 pounds, typically 3-4 boneless, skinless breasts.
- Black Pepper | Ground fresh black pepper on your dish as desired.
- Cream Cheese | You can use Neufchatel cheese instead of full-fat cream cheese in this Olive Garden copycat recipe.
- Pasta | The original Olive Garden chicken dish is served with pasta. For this recipe, I used a short pasta, like a penne pasta; any pasta will work — it grabs all that delicious sauce so there’s plenty in every bite.
- Parmesan Cheese | A microplane zester creates tiny, delicate shreds which melt seamlessly into your pasta.
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
For truly 3 ingredient Olive Garden Chicken, then omit the parmesan cheese and the pasta – but seriously, it takes an extra second, so just do it! 🙂
How to make Olive Garden Chicken (Crock Pot)
- Place the meat in the bottom of your slow cooker, then cover it with the entire bottle of Italian dressing and freshly grated parmesan. If desired, add some ground black pepper as well.
- Add a block of cream cheese, cover, and cook on Low for 3-4 hours; if cooking on high, check the chicken after 2 ½-3 hours. See tips below for making this with frozen chicken breasts.
3. During the last hour of this slow cooker recipe, bring a pot of water to boil on the stove and cook your choice of pasta.
4. Shred the tender chicken once complete, stirring the creamy sauce, then return it to the crockpot and stir in the pasta. Sprinkle the whole thing with parmesan cheese and serve! If desired, garnish with some fresh chopped thyme. YUM!
Olive Garden Chicken Recipe Tips
- Cooking chicken in a slow cooker longer than 4 hours typically results in dry, chewy chicken – yuck! Nobody wants dry chicken. While the timing isn’t terribly convenient, I don’t mind starting this a little later in the day if I am around all day. I have found the sweet spot is around 4 hours!
- This restaurant quality meal easily cuts in half for smaller family meals. But this is great for meal prepping. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and frozen up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- You can quickly thaw your poultry in the microwave by gradually defrosting one minute at a time, or in a bath of warm water.
- Or you can cook them frozen! See my tips below for the best practices.
How to make Olive Garden Crock Pot Chicken
Chicken recipes shine when made in the Instant Pot; here are some quick tips for Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Instant Pot style, a creamy pasta dish the whole family will love.
- Pour in half the bottle of dressing, then add the chicken breasts, finishing with the rest of the bottle of Italian dressing. Lay the block of cream cheese on top of the chicken breasts.
- Close the lid, seal and pressure cook for 10 minutes with 6-8 minutes of natural pressure release. Release any leftover steam, remove the chicken to a cutting board, shred easily with two forks, and then stir back into the mixture. Now is a great time to cook your pasta.
- Remove chicken, shred or cut and return to Instant Pot, add cooked pasta and all of the parmesan cheese; stir and serve immediately.
Make this recipe with frozen chicken
Here’s the 411 (I just dated myself :-). Start with frozen chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts to avoid dryness. This Olive Garden chicken recipe is perfect for busy days when you don’t want to babysit your crockpot.
Just add the ingredients, set it on low for 6-8 hours (it’ll automatically switch to warm), and shred the chicken and cook your pasta when you come back. Voila! Dinner is served!
Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Variations
- Make it healthier | It’s very easy to swap out the ingredients for healthier options. You can use a low-sodium Italian dressing, swap out cream cheese for plain Greek yogurt or Neufchatel cheese, and/or serve with whole-grain pasta or high-protein pasta.
- You can use another sharp cheese instead of parmesan if you wish. Romano and asiago are your best substitutes, as they are also dry and have a similar salty flavor.
- Penne pasta can be swapped out with another type of short noodle such as rigatoni, cavatappi, or fusilli, but honestly spaghetti works great too. The bottom line for this viral recipe is use your favorite pasta or what you have on hand!
How to Store Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken
Allow the chicken and pasta to cool completely. Transfer the chicken and pasta into separate airtight containers. The chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you plan to freeze it, both the chicken and pasta can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
When freezing with the pasta, consider adding a bit of olive oil or sauce to the pasta before sealing it in an airtight container to help maintain its texture. Be sure to label the containers with the date. When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Reheating is simple from the fridge, place the pasta and chicken in a microwave-safe dish, adding a splash of water, broth, milk, or cream to prevent drying. Cover loosely and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through.
For stovetop reheating, warm the chicken and pasta in a pan over medium heat, adding a bit of water, broth, milk, or cream, and stir occasionally until heated evenly.
If this dish was frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat one of the two above methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to keep your poultry moist is by cooking on low instead of high, and keeping your time to 4 hours if possible.
You can! It’s always important, however, to check the internal temperature of the meat when it’s done cooking. You want the temperature to reach 165° F to ensure that it is safe to eat. But if it shreds easily, it is done.
It shreds easiest while it’s warm, so be sure to shred before refrigerating. You can use two forks to shred, use your hands, or even use a stand mixer after tearing into larger chunks and placing them in a deep mixing bowl. I personally think it’s easiest to shred using two forks.
Nothing really, Crockpot is simply the brand name of a slow cooker, which is why we use it interchangeably.
A few of our favorite chicken recipes are this best-ever sous vide chicken breast, or this copycat chipotle chicken and this Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Rice.
Recommended Tools
- 4 qt or larger crockpot | Love this 7-quart crockpot.
- Flexible Cutting Boards | These flexible cutting boards are super handy when prepping ingredients to slide into a pot. I like them because they are BPA Free.
What to serve with Olive Garden Crock Pot Chicken Pasta
My Olive Garden crock pot chicken pasta recipe goes great with many sides, but it is especially delicious when served with cheesy garlic bread and a side salad, like my Romaine Wedge Salad or this Italian Chopped Salad.
Talk about comfort food! And how about starting off with a bright and delicious drink? This Tangerine and Thyme Gin & Tonic pairs beautifully!
If you want to feel a little less guilty about your dinner, however, you can also serve this dish with a fresh, crisp salad. My collection of summer salad recipes has a ton of great options to choose from!
More Copycat Recipes You Will Love
- One Pan Tuscan Chicken in Parmesan Cream Sauce (Olive Garden Copycat)
- Copycat Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl Recipe
- Olive Garden Steak Alfredo (Copycat Recipe)
- Copycat Panera Autumn Squash Soup
Best desserts to serve with Olive Garden Chicken
Be sure to finish your meal off with a delicious make-ahead dessert, like this Traditional Tiramisu.
More from The Fresh Cooky
More Fabulous Slow Cooker Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes from Jen Around the World
- Cream Cheese and Potato Chowder from Palatable Pastime
- Slow Cooker Rajma from Magical Ingredients
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos from Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
- Crockpot Cheddar Broccoli Soup from Life Love and Good Food
- Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes from Blogghetti
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich with Au Jus from The Spiffy Cookie
- Terriyaki Ribs from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Olive Garden Crock Pot Chicken from The Fresh Cooky
- Slow Cooker Italian Sunday Gravy from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Easy Crock Pot Breakfast Casserole from Devour Dinner
- Dutch Oven or Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs from Art of Natural Living
- Slow Cooker Spaghetti from Our Good Life
- Try my new Slow Cooker Cube Steak Recipe with Gravy
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Video
Ingredients
Place the following in a crock pot
- 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4) see below for frozen
- 16 ounce Italian dressing make homemade, Olive Garden or organic, see notes below
- 8 oz cream cheese Neufchâtel cheese may be subbed
- 4 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese optional
Made on the stovetop just prior to serving (optional)
- 16 oz penne pasta cooked al dente, according to package (any short pasta works, spaghetti too)
- 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese grated or shredded
- Fresh Thyme chopped (Optional garnish)
Instructions
- Add the chicken breasts to the crock pot, then pour the Italian dressing over and sprinkle with parmesan cheese and if desired some ground black pepper.
- Place a block of cream cheese on top of chicken, cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours, that's your sweet spot to avoid dry chicken. See notes if you need to cook longer.
- When you have about 40 minutes left on the slow cooker, heat the water for the pasta on the stovetop and cook the pasta on the according to package directions.
- Once Olive Garden crock pot chicken is done (it should shred easily), shred chicken using two forks or using a stand mixer, then return to the crock pot.
- Drain pasta, stir into chicken mixture to combine, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve. We love this with Garlic Cheese bread and a crisp green salad.
Make with Frozen Chicken Breasts
- Place frozen breasts in the bottom of the crock pot, pour other ingredients over the top – cook for 5-6 hours on low, making sure that the internal temp reaches 165 degrees. The chicken will shred easily once done.
- I have actually found this works better with crock pot chicken recipes, because the chicken doesn’t dry out, so this is my preferred and lazy way to make crock pot chicken.
Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken
- Pour ½ bottle Italian dressing into bottom of Instant Pot, place chicken breasts in next. Pour balance of salad dressing over the top, then top with cream cheese. Do not stir!
- Cover pot and secure the lid, make sure it is in sealed position and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes, with natural release for 5-8 minutes.
- Remove chicken, shred or cut and return to Instant Pot, add cooked pasta and all of the parmesan cheese.
Notes
Variations
- This recipe is easily cut in half!
- It’s very easy to swap out the ingredients for healthier options. You can use a low-sodium Italian dressing, swap out cream cheese for plain Greek yogurt, or serve with whole-grain pasta or high-protein pasta.
- You can use another sharp cheese instead of parmesan if you wish. Romano and asiago are your best substitutes, as they are also dry and have a similar salty flavor.
- Penne pasta can be swapped out with another type of short noodle such as rigatoni or fusilli, but honestly spaghetti works great too. Bottom line, use your favorite pasta or what you have on hand!
Nutrition
June Young
we love this recipe but i did have trouble incorporating the cream cheese-mine was pretty lumpy! we ate it anyway but was wondering what the secret is?
So glad you love it, June. Any chance you used cold cream cheese verses room temp? And did you use a lower fat version? Those could impact the texture. Once you remove the chicken to shred, give it a really good whisking to incorporate it all.
Barbara
This is delicious! (Be warned, it makes more than a standard crockpot amount. I’ll be freezing some). I think I may cut back the dressing a bit, and add some peas next time.
Yay for another dinner!!! Adding peas sounds great for the next time, thanks for your sweet comment Barbara!
Barbara
I would use half a bar of cream cheese, cut the Italian dressing in half and sub chicken broth. Then I put everything in a casserole dish, layered mozzarella cheese in the middle and on top and baked it. It was too much cream cheese for us, but a great concept.
Sounds like you made your tweaks to it. Sorry you didn’t quite like it the way you made it. It’s a family favorite!
Cathy Dougherty
I was wondering how long to cook with frozen chicken in the instapot?
Debbie
I don’t like buying salad dressing. Do you have a recipe for homemade Olive Garden Italian salad dressing that works in this recipe?
Thanks for asking, Debbie; I sure do; while I haven’t tried it with this recipe, it would be delicious! Give it a try! https://www.thefreshcooky.com/zesty-italian-dressing-recipe/