Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Recipe
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
16 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
849 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Italian
Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Recipe
Description
The Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Recipe uses penne pasta cooked to package directions, saved pasta water for saucing, and chicken breasts sautéed with garlic and onion. Olive Garden light dressing is incorporated during chicken cooking to infuse flavor. The cooked chicken is diced and returned to the pan along with pasta to build the creamy sauce.
Cream cheese and light butter melt into the pan to create a smooth base, combined with Italian seasoning, shaved Parmesan, and fresh basil to add herbaceous and cheesy notes. Pasta water adjusts sauce thickness for perfect coating on the noodles and chicken.
This dish works well as a main course for lunch or dinner. It holds up well for leftovers stored up to four days in the fridge; reheating in the microwave for about a minute ensures warmth without drying. It also serves as a flavorful meal prep option with tender chicken and comfort-style pasta sauce.
The recipe notes suggest reserving pasta water to manage sauce thickness and mention using cooked chicken breasts simultaneously to meal prep more chicken efficiently.
Ingredients
- 14.5 oz penne pasta I used Barilla Protein+
- 1 cup pasta water
- 1 lbs chicken breast or tenderloins, boneless
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion diced, small, white
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- ⅔ cup Italian dressing Olive Garden Light
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning packet mix
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shaved
- 6-8 basil fresh leaves
- 4 oz cream cheese ⅓ fat
- ½ cup butter light
Instructions
- In a stove pot (I use my OurPlace Always Pan which is deeper than a traditional skillet), boil water for noodles. Once the water is boiling, add in some salt and the penne. Cook according to package directions.
- Save at least 1 cup of pasta water and set aside, then strain the pasta. Do not rinse and try to keep the pasta warm (in a bowl with a lid).
- In the same stove pot/skillet, add the olive oil. Allow it to heat until fragrant. Spread around in the pan so it’s evenly coated. Add the chicken tenders, minced garlic, and onion. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, flipping the chicken half way through.
- Pour the Olive Garden Dressing into the pan with the chicken. Cover and allow the chicken to cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Use tongs or a fork to remove the cooked chicken from the pan dice into bite size pieces.
- Without cleaning the pan, add the cooked pasta back into the warm pan/pot and turn the heat to medium-low.
- Whisk in cream cheese cubes, light butter, Italian seasoning, and fresh parmesan cheese. Stir until everything is combined. If its thick, add 2 tablespoons of pasta water at a time until sauce-like consistency is reached.
- Top the pasta with the diced chicken, basil, and more shaved parm if desired. Add a crack of black pepper, serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce thickness as needed while finishing the dish.
- Cook extra chicken breasts alongside chicken for this recipe to meal prep additional flavorful chicken for future meals.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; reheat in the microwave for 60-90 seconds until warmed through.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 849 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 849kcal | 42% |
| Carbohydrates | 77g | 26% |
| Protein | 59g | 118% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 12g | 60% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 158mg | 53% |
| Sodium | 1521mg | 63% |
| Potassium | 965mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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