Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
on Jun 29, 2024
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As moms, we’re always on the lookout for easy and delicious recipes that our toddlers will love. This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is the perfect dish! With tender chicken, creamy sauce, and flavorful pasta, it’s a hit with kids and adults alike. Plus, it’s made in the crockpot, so it’s super convenient for busy families.
Ingredients:
- 3 large chicken breasts
- Garlic powder (to taste)
- 1 + 3/4 cup Olive Garden Italian dressing
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot. Sprinkle them generously with garlic powder, then pour the Olive Garden Italian dressing over the chicken to cover.
- Cook the Chicken: Set your crockpot to cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it using two forks.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is out, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cubed cream cheese, cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and grated Parmesan cheese back into the crockpot. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Final Cooking: Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the cream cheese to melt and the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Serve warm and enjoy!
Why This Recipe is Great for Toddlers and Families:
- Nutritious: This dish combines lean protein from the chicken, calcium from the cheese, and energy-boosting carbohydrates from the pasta. It’s a balanced meal that provides essential nutrients for growing toddlers.
- Kid-Friendly Flavors: The creamy, cheesy sauce with the familiar taste of Olive Garden dressing makes this pasta a hit with toddlers. The mild flavors are appealing to young palates, ensuring your little ones will love it.
- Convenient: Using a crockpot means minimal hands-on time and effort. You can set it up in the morning and have a delicious dinner ready by evening, freeing up time for other activities.
- Versatile: This recipe is easily adaptable. You can add vegetables like spinach, peas, or broccoli to boost the nutritional value, or use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber.
Storage Instructions:
- Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the pasta in individual portions in freezer-safe containers. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as mentioned above.
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breasts
- 1+1/3 cup Olive Garden dressing
- garlic powder to taste
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot. Sprinkle them generously with garlic powder, then pour the Olive Garden Italian dressing over the chicken to cover.
- Set your crockpot to cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it using two forks.
- While the chicken is out, cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add the cubed cream cheese, cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and grated Parmesan cheese back into the crockpot. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cook on low for an additional 30 minutes, allowing the cream cheese to melt and the flavors to meld together. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tried this recipe?Mention @reallittlemeals or tag #reallittlemeals!
Just made this for dinner tonight and it was so easy to make and every one loved it!!! Paired it with some homemade garlic bread and it was a great week night meal for the family!