Description
Creamy Olive Garden Chicken Pasta made with zesty Italian dressing, cream cheese, and Parmesan—easy, cheesy, and ready in under 40 minutes!
Ingredients
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1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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16 oz Olive Garden Italian Dressing (or any zesty Italian dressing)
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¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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¼ tsp black pepper
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8 oz cream cheese
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16 oz penne pasta
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Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Cook the Chicken:
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In a large pot over medium heat, add chicken breasts and Italian dressing.
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Cover and cook for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and fork-tender.
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Shred and Make the Sauce:
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Remove chicken from the pot and shred using two forks.
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Return shredded chicken to the pot and stir in Parmesan, black pepper, and cream cheese.
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Mix until cream cheese is fully melted and the sauce becomes smooth.
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Cook the Pasta:
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While the sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package instructions in a separate pot.
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Drain and set aside.
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Combine and Serve:
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Add cooked pasta to the creamy chicken mixture and toss until well combined.
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Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
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Notes
- Make it a full meal by adding spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- For a slow cooker version, cook chicken and dressing on low for 4 hours, then shred and add remaining ingredients.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
