Olive Garden Pasta 🍝
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts 🐔
- 1 jar Olive Garden Italian Dressing (use 1/2 a jar if you prefer a milder flavor)
- 1 large stick (8 oz) of cream cheese
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup, divided)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 1 (16-ounce) box of penne pasta
Instructions:
- Prep the Crockpot:
- Place the 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.
- Pour the entire jar of Olive Garden Italian Dressing over the chicken. If you prefer a milder flavor, use only half the jar.
- Add the large stick of cream cheese on top of the chicken and dressing.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the cream cheese and chicken.
- Season with a little black pepper to taste.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Set your crockpot to high and cook for 3.5 hours.
- Prepare the Pasta:
- When the crockpot timer goes off, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Cook the 16-ounce box of penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Combine and Finish:
- Shred the cooked chicken breasts in the crockpot using two forks.
- Stir everything in the crockpot until well combined and the cream cheese is fully incorporated.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the crockpot and mix thoroughly.
- Sprinkle another generous layer of freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Serve:
- Serve hot, straight from the crockpot. Enjoy!
Notes:
- Portion Size: This recipe makes a large portion, perfect for leftovers.
- Adjustments: Some people find this dish too salty. Feel free to adjust the amount of Italian dressing to suit your taste.
- Personal Preference: This is a great base recipe to tweak to your liking. If you like less creaminess, use less cream cheese. Add more veggies or different spices if desired.
Enjoy your delicious and easy Olive Garden Pasta! 🍝