Hello and welcome to solsarin. This post is about “olive garden crockpot chicken pasta“.
Pasta
Pasta (US: /ˈpɑːstə/, UK: /ˈpæstə/; Italian pronunciation: [ˈpasta]) is a type of food typically made from an unleavened dough of wheat flour mixed with water or eggs, and formed into sheets or other shapes, then cooked by boiling or baking. Rice flour, or legumes such as beans or lentils, are sometimes used in place of wheat flour to yield a different taste and texture, or as a gluten-free alternative. Pasta is a staple food of Italian cuisine.[1][2]
Pastas are divided into two broad categories: dried (pasta secca) and fresh (pasta fresca). Most dried pasta is produced commercially via an extrusion process, although it can be produced at home. Fresh pasta is traditionally produced by hand, sometimes with the aid of simple machines.[3] Fresh pastas available in grocery stores are produced commercially by large-scale machines.
over 1,300
Both dried and fresh pastas come in a number of shapes and varieties, with 310 specific forms known by over 1,300 documented names.[4] In Italy, the names of specific pasta shapes or types often vary by locale. For example, the pasta form cavatelli is known by 28 different names depending upon the town and region. Common forms of pasta include long and short shapes, tubes, flat shapes or sheets, miniature shapes for soup, those meant to be filled or stuffed, and specialty or decorative shapes.[5]
As a category in Italian cuisine, both fresh and dried pastas are classically used in one of three kinds of prepared dishes: as pasta asciutta (or pastasciutta), cooked pasta is plated and served with a complementary sauce or condiment; a second classification of pasta dishes is pasta in brodo, in which the pasta is part of a soup-type dish. A third category is pasta al forno, in which the pasta is incorporated into a dish that is subsequently baked in the oven.[6]
31% carbohydrates
Pasta dishes are generally simple, but individual dishes vary in preparation. Some pasta dishes are served as a small first course or for light lunches, such as pasta salads. Other dishes may be portioned larger and used for dinner. Pasta sauces similarly may vary in taste, color and texture.[7]
In terms of nutrition, cooked plain pasta is 31% carbohydrates (mostly starch), 6% protein, and low in fat, with moderate amounts of manganese, but pasta generally has low micronutrient content. Pasta may be enriched or fortified, or made from whole grains.
1.5lbs.boneless skinless chicken breast(1.5-2 pounds works fine)
16oz.Olive Garden Italian dressing(or any Italian dressing you like) Note- olive garden dressing is high in sodium and can be salty. Choose a lower sodium dressing if desired.
1(16 ounce bottle )Olive Garden Italian dressingor homemade Olive Garden Italian Dressing
½ cup grated parmesan
8ouncescream cheese
16 ouncescooked pasta
Instructions
Place the chicken breasts in a slow cooker laying flat. Pour the whole bottle or homemade olive garden dressing over top the chicken.
Sprinkle parmesan over top the chicken and dressing. Place the block of cream cheese on top. Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook for 6 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Using 2 forks or shredders, shred the chicken evenly. Use ¼ cup parmesan and sprinkle over top the chicken. Add in the pasta and stir until well combined. Serve while hot.
Tips for Cooking with a Crockpot
Using a crockpot is easy but try out these tips and it will make cooking with one even easier! You may never go back to cooking on your stove again! This crockpot Olive Garden chicken is the perfect place to start!
Keep the lid ON: I know it’s tempting to want to take the lid off and check on your food! But a crockpot is designed to do its thing with the lid ON. Keep the lid on and don’t let out all of that heat that has been built up! Just look throught the glass and trust your recipe!
Preheat your crockpot: A lot of people don’t do this and it really is a step that should always taken. Turn your crockpot on to the correct setting about 20 minutes before you plan on putting your food it. You can just turn it on while you prep your food!
Spray it: If you spray your slow cooker with cooking spray before you put your food in, then your cleanup will be so much easier! This helps so that your food doesn’t stick to the sides. Trust me, it’s an easy step that you will appreciate doing later!
16ounceOlive Garden Italian dressingI recommend homemade, click for recipe! Note 3
½cupgrated parmesan
8ouncescream cheese
16ouncesuncooked penne pasta
Instructions
Add the ingredients into the slow cooker. First place the chicken breasts in, then pour the entire bottle of Italian dressing over the chicken. Top with parmesan cheese, and place the cream cheese on top of that.
Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours. The chicken is ready when the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast is 165°F/74°C.
Just before the chicken is ready, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
Once the chicken cooked, shred it using two forks, being careful not to shred it too finely.
Sprinkle pepper, garlic powder, and half of the shredded cheese.
Gently pour the Olive Garden dressing over the chicken
Sprinkle the remaining of the shredded cheese and add the cream cheese on top.
Cover and cook on High for 4 ½ hours to 5 hours.
Cook your pasta. Drain. Set aside. You may want to add a little bit of olive oil (about 1 tablespoon) or butter, so it does not stick too much together.
Once cooked, take the chicken out on a plate and shred the chicken using 2 forks.