Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (2024)

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Craving the comforting flavors of Olive Garden’s famous Chicken Pasta but short on time? Look no further! Our Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta recipe has got you covered. With the convenience of your trusty Instant Pot, you can whip up this mouthwatering dish in no time, right in the comfort of your own kitchen. Tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy, savory sauce come together effortlessly to create a restaurant-quality meal that will satisfy your cravings and delight your taste buds. Say goodbye to long wait times and hello to dinner perfection – let’s dive into this delectable recipe!

Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or hosting a gathering with friends and family, this Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is sure to become a favorite go-to recipe in your kitchen. So, let’s grab our ingredients and get ready to enjoy a taste of Italy without ever leaving home!

Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is a complete meal in one. You can pair it with a crisp salad, breadsticks or eat it as is.

Table of contents

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

If you are a fan of Olive Garden, you have to try this chicken pasta recipe. You will love the creamy and rich flavor of this dish.

What Is In This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta Recipe

  • Chicken – I Used Boneless chicken breast but you could also reach for tenderloins.
  • Dressing – You can buy Olive Garden dressing at most mass retailers. It will give it that creamy flavor.If you can’t find Olive Garden Italian dressing, you can use another brand of salad dressing, just be sure to get the “zesty Italian” for that same flavor we all love.Or better yet, check out my recipe to make a copycat version of Olive Garden Signature Italian dressing.
  • Cream Cheese – This cream cheese is going to really give it a rich and creamy texture.
  • Parmesan Cheese – This is going to really amplify the flavor of your chicken pasta, you stir it in at the end on saute.
  • Pasta – Feel free to use any of your favorite pasta. Whether it be spaghetti style noodles, bowtie, etc.

Can I Make This Without Pasta

Absolutely. If you would prefer to have just the chicken go right ahead and leave the pasta out. I have done that in the past and it is super tasty as well.

Sides To Pair With Your Chicken Pasta Recipe

Feel free to pair any of your favorite sides next to this dish.

Ingredients

How To Make Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

  • Add in 1/2 of your bottle of Italian dressing into your pot.
  • Place your chicken breasts in next.
  • Pour the remaining half of your Italian dressing over your chicken breasts.
  • Lay your block of cream cheese over the top.
  • Close your lid. Pressure cook (HIGH) for 15 minutes.
  • When the cooking cycle ends, do a natural release for 15 minutes.
  • Remove your lid. Remove your chicken from the pot and place it into a bowl so that it can be shredded. I like to use my handheld mixer for this but you can also use two forks to shred your meat.
  • Turn your pot onto saute (LOW). Add the shredded chicken back in.
  • Add in the grated Parmesan cheese, stir to combine and allow all of the cheese to completely melt down.
  • Add in your cooked pasta and stir to coat the pasta completely.
  • Serve immediately and Enjoy!

How To Store Leftovers

You can store your chicken and pasta in the fridge for up to three days. Just place properly in an airtight container.

Then to reheat you can warm up in the microwave or opt to heat up on the stove or even the oven.

I have used the leftovers to meal prep for lunches for my kids and husband as they head out to work. But, you are more than welcome to save back and eat the next night for dinner.

Can You Double This Recipe

If you have a larger Instant Pot you can for sure double if you would like. You just need to make sure that you don’t go over the max fill line.

So if you have a larger Instant Pot you should have no issues doubling the recipe if you are feeding a larger crowd.

Add-Ins To This Olive Garden Chicken

If you are thinking of adding in other ingredients you sure can. Items like broccoli florets could be an awesome idea to stir in at the end. If you cook the entire time it will make your broccoli like mush.

So mix it in when you saute and then cook to your tenderness. You can also add in other vegetables like green beans, etc. Get creative and make dinner to satisfy yourself.

Can I make this in my crockpot

Yes you sure can make this as a Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Pasta. To make this in your slow cooker. Follow the directions the same way but slow cook on HIGH for 4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.

For another delicious Olive Garden copycat dish, try my Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup.

Tips & Tricks

  1. Cook Pasta Separately: Instead of cooking the pasta directly in the Instant Pot with the other ingredients, cook it separately on the stove according to package instructions. This helps to prevent the pasta from becoming overcooked and mushy.
  2. Add Pasta Towards the End: Once the chicken and sauce are cooked in the Instant Pot, add the cooked pasta to the pot and stir to combine. This allows the pasta to soak up the flavors of the sauce without becoming overcooked.
  3. Finish with Cheese: For that signature creamy Olive Garden flavor, finish the dish by stirring grated Parmesan cheese. This adds richness and depth to the sauce, making it irresistible.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Before serving, garnish your Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta with chopped fresh parsley or basil for a pop of color and freshness. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious flavors of Italy in the comfort of your own home!
  • Olive Garden Salad
  • Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing
  • Crock Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta
  • Italian Pasta Salad
  • Pastina
Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (22)

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is an insanely easy dinner recipe that practically cooks itself. Tender, juicy chicken that is creamy and savory.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add in 1/2 of your bottle of Italian dressing into your pot.
  2. Place your chicken breasts in next.
  3. Pour the remaining half of your Italian dressing over your chicken breasts.
  4. Lay your block of cream cheese over the top.
  5. Close your lid. Pressure cook (HIGH) for 15 minutes.
  6. When cooking cycle ends, do a natural release for 15 minutes.
  7. Remove your lid. Remove your chicken from the pot and place into a bowl so that it can be shredded. I like to use my handheld mixer for this but you can also use two forks to shred your meat.
  8. Turn your pot onto saute (LOW). Add the shredded chicken back in.
  9. Add in the grated Parmesan cheese, stir to combine and allow all of the cheese to completely melt down.
  10. Add in your cooked pasta and stir to coat the pasta completely.
  11. Serve immediately and Enjoy!

Notes

*Some folks find the dressing taste to be a bit strong, you can reduce the dressing to 1 cup.

If you can’t find Olive Garden Italian dressing, you can use another brand of salad dressing, just be sure to get the “zesty Italian” for that same flavor we all love.Or better yet, check out my recipe to make a copycat version of Olive Garden Signature Italian dressing.

**To make this in your slow cooker. Follow the directions the same way but slow cook on HIGH for 4 hours or low for 5-6 hours.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 367Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 803mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 19g

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep chicken from getting tough in Instant Pot? ›

The key to getting perfectly juicy boneless chicken breasts is to cook them on a trivet, above the liquid. I find that this results in a better texture than cooking them on the bottom of the pot. I also think their texture is best when you quickly release the pressure, rather than letting it naturally release.

Does cooking chicken longer in Instant Pot make it more tender? ›

This dinner staple cooks up perfectly every time in the Instant Pot. You can aim for firm but juicy chicken for cubing, or let it cook a little bit longer for tender shredded chicken.

Can you overcook chicken in the Instapot? ›

Chicken can get a rubbery texture in the instant pot when over cooked. To avoid this, try not to over cook your chicken.

Why is my Instant Pot chicken rubbery? ›

Why is my Instant Pot shredded chicken rubbery? Rubbery Instant Pot shredded chicken is usually the result of overcooking the meat.

Does pressure cooking chicken make it more tender? ›

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs & Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Extremely weird texture. At 15 minutes high pressure they become extremely tender and fall-off the bone. I myself have cooked them for up to 22 minutes and full natural pressure release and they were still divine. Super soft and juicy.

Do you cover meat with liquid in a pressure cooker? ›

While you may cover meat almost completely for a conventional braise, use just enough liquid for the cooker to reach pressure – during pressure cooking the meat will release it's own juice and braise in that flavorful liquid, instead.

What is the best meat to pressure cook? ›

You can still pressure cook leaner pieces – like eye of round and top sirloin – but these work best if they've been stuffed, shredded or rolled (with other ingredients). Best cuts of beef to use: Chuck steak, Round Roast, Shoulder, Pot roast, Ribs, Brisket, Oxtail.

Why is my chicken tough after pressure cooking? ›

Without watching over your shoulder in your kitchen, the most likely reason is overcooking. Pressure cookers are powerful, and it can be a fine line between perfectly done vs. too much. Longer cook times squeeze more moisture out of the tissue, leaving it drier and tougher.

How long do you can chicken in a pressure cooker? ›

Once you're getting 4 “jiggles” per minute, or your dial gauge has come up to pressure, start your timer and process the chicken. If you're canning pint jars, you will process them for 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes). If you're using quart jars, you will process for 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

What happens if Instapot is too full? ›

Overfilling your Instant Pot can affect the pressure that builds up inside, so you might end up with a mushy meal, or one that doesn't cook properly.

What is the problem with spaghetti meat chicken? ›

“Spaghetti meat” describes a meat quality issue stemming from a muscle abnormality in a small percentage of chicken meat. Spaghetti meat is characterized by loss of integrity of muscle fibers resulting in a fraying or spaghetti-like appearance in chicken meat.

What is the white stuff coming out of my chicken breast? ›

The white stuff coming out of chicken as it cooks is simply extra protein that dissolves in water and is forced out of the meat by heat. Food scientist Topher McNeil, PhD, explains, “The [chicken] muscles themselves actually contract and squeeze out the liquid that's in between muscle cells.”

Is woody chicken breast safe to eat? ›

Companies often use a three-point scale to grade the woodiness of a particular breast. Although distasteful to many, meat that exhibits woody breast is not known to be harmful to humans who consume it.

How do you stop a chicken from being tough? ›

These strategies involve cooking with either liquid or steam, which can soften tough fibers in the chicken. If you want to fire up the grill or oven, you can still cook up a tender piece of meat. Just make a brine or marinade and let your chicken sit in there for 20 to 30 minutes before cooking.

Why does my chicken become hard after cooking? ›

Make the chicken thinner

Especially when cooking chicken in a skillet, the answer is to aim for a more uniform thickness, so that the pieces cook more evenly and in less time. Thinner breasts or cutlets are less likely to dry out, as they won't spend as much time in the pan.

Why is my chicken tough after I cooked it? ›

Overcooking leads to dry, tough, sawdusty meat with nearly no flavor. High doneness temperature for food safety. Salmonella is the food safety enemy in chicken that dies only at higher temperatures. But cooking chicken breast to an instant thermal-kill doneness temperature will cause it to dry out excessively.

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