Looking for an answer to the question “what’s for dinner?” Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is the answer! Perfectly tender shredded chicken cooked in Olive Garden Italian Dressing, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, and sun dried tomatoes then tossed with penne pasta and fresh basil. This is a flavor-packed dinner the whole family will love!

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
It’s safe to say this Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a new dinner-time favorite! I like how easy it is to make and this is a dish that everyone asked for often.
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The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make the pasta (the exact measurements and full recipe instructions are below in the printable recipe card):
- Chicken breast
- Olive Garden Italian Dressing – find this in the salad dressing aisle of your grocery store. There are also great substitutes, such as a similar dressing from Aldi.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – no need to grate fresh cheese; the grated Parmesan in a canister is perfect for this recipe.
- Sun dried tomatoes – you can use the dry sun dried tomatoes or the kind in a jar.
- Black pepper
- Cream cheese
- Penne
- Fresh basil

How to Make Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
- Place the chicken breast in a large slow cooker and pour the whole bottle of Olive Garden dressing over the chicken.


- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan over the chicken and dressing along with the chopped sun dried tomatoes.

- Place the block of cream cheese on top.

- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and fork-tender. Shred the chicken with two forks.
- Cook the penne according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.

- Add the torn basil and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.

- And the cooked penne and stir well.

- Serve the pasta immediately while hot.

What to Serve with the Olive Garden Pasta
- Tossed salad
- Steamed green beans
- Garlic Bread or breadsticks

How to Store Leftovers
Store the leftover pasta in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave.

More Recipes to Love
- Garlic Butter Smashed Sweet Potatoes
- Classic Fish and Chips Recipe
- The Best Oven Roasted Potatoes
- Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 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
- 1 pound penne pasta
Instructions
- Place the chicken breast in a large slow cooker and pour the whole bottle of Olive Garden dressing over the chicken.
- Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan over the chicken and dressing along with the chopped sun dried tomatoes. Place the block of cream cheese on top.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and fork-tender.
- Cook the penne according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Shred the chicken with two forks. Add the torn basil, the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, and the cooked penne; stir well.
- Serve the pasta immediately.
Last Step:
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Equipment
- 6-quart slow cooker






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86 comments on “Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta”
Love this recipe! Second time making it this month! This time I used half a bottle of dressing. It was so rich last time. Will be a regular in my kitchen!
Thanks Janmarie!
The Olive Garden Chicken pasta recipe is absolutely amazing!
Thanks Diane!
Delicious! Although I used a block and a half of cream cheese and 2 TBLS of sun dried tomato pesto instead of sun dried tomatoes. Definitely a family favorite.
Tried this today for the 1st time after my sister made it for her family & they all loved it. I just didn’t add the sun dried tomatoes & used dried basil instead of fresh. It was pretty good but a bit too strong on the Italian dressing flavor for us (I used store brand “restaurant style” dressing) & we love Italian dressing. I think next time I’ll use less Italian & maybe add broccoli or peas to it. Thanks for this!
First time cooking with slow cooker trying the Olive Garden Chicken. Will post update after dinner today.
So easy and came out delicious! Thank you for a great recipe. This one is a keeper for sure!
This recipe is easy to make and absolutely delicious! I make it about once a month. A family favorite!
Easy and delicious everyone loved this !
Any chance you could change redipe for instant pot? This looks delicious
I do everything in the instapot due to kids in sport and a crazy work schedule. I did the chicken breast for 35 mins in the insta no change to the rest of the recipe turned out delicious.
This recipe Was delicious and easy