Description
Indulge in the creamy, cheesy goodness of this Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta—a comforting dish featuring tender shredded chicken coated in a luscious Parmesan-cream sauce with a hint of Italian seasoning. Slow-cooked to perfection, this rich and hearty pasta dish brings a taste of your favorite restaurant straight to your kitchen. Serve it up for an effortless family dinner or a satisfying meal prep option!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet Italian dressing seasoning mix
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and sprinkle the Italian dressing seasoning evenly over them.
- Add the Liquid Base: Pour in the chicken broth and cream of chicken soup, ensuring the chicken is well coated. Scatter the cubed cream cheese on top.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Shred & Mix: Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, then stir to blend it into the creamy sauce.
- Make It Extra Creamy: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and heavy cream, mixing until the sauce is velvety smooth.
- Prepare the Pasta: While the sauce is finishing, cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta and finely chopped spinach to the slow cooker, stirring gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the Flavors Meld: Cover and let the dish rest for 10–15 minutes, allowing the spinach to soften and the flavors to fully blend.
- Garnish & Serve: Serve warm, topped with fresh parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Pasta Choice: Penne works great, but rotini, rigatoni, or fettuccine can be used as well.
- Creaminess Boost: For an even silkier sauce, stir in an extra splash of heavy cream before serving.
- Add Some Heat: Sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy twist.
- Make It a One-Pot Meal: Skip boiling the pasta separately stir in uncooked pasta during the last 30 minutes of cooking and add 1 extra cup of broth.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1080mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, Olive Garden chicken pasta, crockpot chicken recipe