Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta - A Pressure Cooker Kitchen (2024)

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta - A Pressure Cooker Kitchen (1)

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This Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta is so creamy and delicious, made with the original Olive Garden salad dressing, cream cheese and sun dried tomatoes.

» You might also like Instant Pot Spaghetti and Instant Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni.

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta - A Pressure Cooker Kitchen (2)

Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

  • Cooking pasta in the Instant Pot is a breeze. Just toss in your ingredients and set it to manual pressure. It’s that simple.
  • There is very little prep involved. That is why we love dump recipes so much!!
  • There’s no need to precook the chicken or the pasta. You just layer all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and set to cook for 8 minutes, plus a 5 minute natural pressure release. Voila. It’s done!
  • I’m not sure you can get any more decadent than this pasta. It’s so rich and luscious. You won’t believe how perfect it turns out in the Instant Pot.

Kaz says: Comforting, flavorful, and a total crowd-pleaser.

Sheri @stampingqueen commented on your pin: Loved this recipe! Everyone loved it!

Ingredients You Need

I love a good dump recipe. That sounds bad, but it’s really a good thing. It just means that you don’t need to do any prep to the ingredients. You just dump them all in the Instant Pot and cook. This recipe requires 9 ingredients, 6 of which go into the pot before cooking, and 3 to add at the end.

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  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – To save time, you can purchase cubed chicken pieces which you can just dump directly into the Instant Pot. You can also add the cubed chicken from frozen, if you don’t have time to thaw it. It will just take a few more minutes to cook. If you want, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this as well.
  • Penne pasta – I like the way the penne gets coated in the sauce, so I prefer it to other pastas, but you can definitely use ziti, bowties or fusilli, if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Olive Garden Italian Salad Dressing – There’s really no substitute for the real thing in this dish, but if you can’t find this dressing, you can make your own version with this recipe. It is available to order on Amazon.
  • Ground black pepper
  • Chicken broth – You can use a boxed chicken broth, or mix water with a cube of chicken bouillon.
  • Cream cheese – Always use full-fat cream cheese for this recipe. It adds the wonderful rich creaminess that you won’t get with low-fat versions.
  • Sundried tomatoes – You need these for an acidity element to break up the creaminess and add some zest.
  • Fresh basil
  • Shredded parmesan cheese

I only buy pasture raised chicken and meats. I love Farm Foods Market online. They deliver hormone-free, non-GMO, antibiotic free chicken, plus all other types of meat, right to your door. You can order whatever you want, whenever you want – no membership or pre-selected box.

Equipment Needed

For this recipe, we use the 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus, but you can use any electric pressure cooker.

  • Instant Pot – I use a 6-quart Instant Pot Plus to make all of my recipes. If you’re using an 8-quart pot, you will need to adjust the amount of liquid accordingly, as it requires more than the 6 quart to build steam.
Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta - A Pressure Cooker Kitchen (4)

Instant Pot Rio

New modern design with an upgraded ANTI-SPIN inner pot for easy sauté or stirring and 13 customizable smart programs.

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta - A Pressure Cooker Kitchen (5)

Expert Tips to Follow

  • When an Instant Pot recipe says there’s no need to stir, like this recipe does, follow that advice. There is something about the layering of the ingredients that cooks the pasta perfectly and keeps the dreaded burn notice away.
  • The sauce may be soupy when you remove the lid. That is ok. Stir the pasta ingredients up and let them set for a few minutes. The excess liquid will be soaked up.
  • Cut the chicken into uniform bite-size pieces so that they all cook the same.

How to Make Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

Step One: Prep Chicken and Layer the Ingredients

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Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, if they aren’t already cut. Add the chicken to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Top it with the dried pasta, pour on the salad dressing, black pepper, cream cheese and broth. There’s no need to stir. Just put it all in and you’re good to go.

Step Two: Pressure Cook

Secure the lid onto the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is sealed. Press the pressure cook, or manual, button and set the time for 8 minutes. It will take about 5 minutes to come up to pressure and start cooking.

When time is up, let the steam naturally release for 5 minutes and then manually release the rest. You don’t want it to continue cooking past the 5 minute mark, so make sure you’re watching closely.

Step Three: Add Remaining Ingredients and Stir

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Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and basil.Let it sit for about 5 minutes on Keep Warm, then stir it again. In this time, some of the liquid will be soaked up and the sauce will be set well.

Step Four: Serve

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Garnish with more Parmesan cheese if you want. I also think a spritz of lemon juice gives a brightness to the sauce.

Why Use An Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. If you don’t have one, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot and the many accessories you can buy for it.

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  • Don’t Have an Instant Pot? This guide can help you choose the right one.
  • See reviews and prices for Instant Pots on Amazon.
  • Learn some great .
  • Click to find more recipes to make in your Instant Pot.

Optional Ingredients

Although this pasta is great just as it is, there’s always more flavor combinations to be explored. These are some additional ingredients you could add.

  • Fresh tomatoes – Consider replacing the sun-dried tomatoes with fresh tomatoes. You can add them before or after the cooking process.
  • Spinach – Add fresh chopped spinach right before you close the lid for something fresh.
  • Artichoke hearts – Add a can of non-marinated artichokes before you close the lid.

How To Store Leftover Chicken Pasta

Allow the leftover chicken pasta to cool to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container and transfer to the refrigerator. It will be good for 3-5 days.

If freezing to enjoy later, allow it to cool completely and place it in an airtight container. It will be good for 2 months.

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What To Pair With Instant Pot Chicken Pasta

This instant pot olive garden chicken pasta is very versatile and pairs well with side dishes such as;

  • Green salad
  • Garlic Bread or Breadsticks
  • Steamed Vegetables
  • Roasted Vegetables
  • Grilled Vegetables
  • Caesar Salad
  • Herb-Roasted Potatoes

Can You Make Chicken Pasta In A Crockpot

Making chicken pasta in a slow cooker can be a convenient way to prepare a delicious and hearty meal. Here are a few easy steps

  1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.
  2. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, salad dressing, chicken broth, black pepper, and cream cheese on top of the chicken.
  3. Give everything a gentle stir.
  4. Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until the chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
  5. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crockpot and shred it using two forks.
  6. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Add it to the crockpot.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve

Super Useful Instant Pot Accessories

Once you’ve started using your Instant Pot more regularly, you’ll find there are so many other ways you *could* be using it, if you had a few extra useful accessories. Here are a few favorites that we use almost every day.

  • All-In Instant Pot Kit – a kit, likethis27-piece set, will get you just about everything you will ever need to make whatever you want in the Instant Pot. It includes steamer baskets, aspringform pan, a steamer rack, egg rack, egg cutter, egg ring, egg whisk, egg bites mold, dish plate clip, spatula, kitchen tong, silicone pad, scrubber, and oven mitts, magnetic sheets and a recipe book.
  • Stackable Steamer Insert Pans – Usingstacking containersallows you to cook different foods in separate containers. If you’re making a complete dinner, you will be able to cook all the components at the same time, rather than one at a time.
  • Instant Pot Ceramic Inner Cooking Pot – I can’t express enough how nice it is to have two inner pots. Having an extra will allow you to cook two parts of a meal without transferring and cleaning the original pot after the first step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get Olive Garden salad dressing?

If you live in the United States, you can generally find this salad dressing in most grocery stores. It’s being sold everywhere now. You can get it at Costco, as well as on Amazon.
If you can’t find it, you can make your own version with this recipe. You can also substitute it with regular Italian dressing or a Dijon vinaigrette, in a pinch.

Can I cook this in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can alter the recipe a bit to make it in the slow cooker. The process will be the same except you will add the pasta after the chicken sauce has cooked.
Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, as you would to the Instant Pot, except for the basil, Parmesan cheese, and pasta. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 4 hours until the chicken is cooked through. Then add the cooked pasta to the crockpot and stir.

Can I add cooked chicken instead?

You can add cooked chicken instead of raw chicken, if that’s what you have on hand. The chicken will cook again in the Instant Pot, but it won’t become overly dry, so no need to worry. This is a good way to use up leftover chicken or to use a rotisserie chicken instead.

Why Is the sauce still runny when I open the lid?

The sauce will need a few minutes to thicken up after cooking. When you remove the lid, stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and parmesan and let the mixture set with the keep warm function for 5 minutes. The sauce will thicken as it sets.

Can I add a whole chicken breast?

If you need to add a whole chicken breast, you might find that it doesn’t cook in the amount of time the dish is under pressure. It will only cook through if the breast is not super thick, and definitely it must be thawed entirely. A frozen chicken breast whole will not cook through in this time. If you increase the time to cook the chicken, you will overcook the pasta.

Try These Other Instant Pot Pasta Recipes

  • Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
  • Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
  • Easy Instant Pot Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
  • Instant Pot Spaghetti

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Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta

This Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta copycat is so creamy and delicious, made with the original Olive Garden salad dressing, cream cheese and sun dried tomatoes.

Note: Made in a 6-qt Instant Pot

4.72 from 95 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Pressurize Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 28 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 580 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 16 ounce (454 g) box penne pasta uncooked
  • 3/4 cup (177 ml) Olive Garden Italian Salad Dressing https://amzn.to/3CWf49l
  • 3 1/2 cups (828 ml) chicken broth low sodium
  • 1/2 teaspoon (1 g) black pepper
  • 8 ounce (227 g) package cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup (28 g) sundried tomatoes drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup (12 g) fresh basil
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and add to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Top with dry pasta, salad dressing, black pepper, cream cheese and broth. No stirring necessary.

  • Secure the lid, make sure the valve is closed. Set to manual pressure cook for 8 minutes. When time is up let the steam naturally release for 5 minutes and then manually release the rest.

  • Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and basil.

Notes

  • When an Instant Pot recipe says there’s no need to stir, like this recipe does, follow that advice. There is something about the layering of the ingredients that cooks the pasta perfectly and keeps the dreaded burn notice away.
  • The sauce may be soupy when you remove the lid. That is ok. Stir the pasta ingredients up and let them set for a few minutes. The excess liquid will be soaked up.
  • Cut the chicken into uniform bite-size pieces so that they all cook the same.

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 25gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 1106mgPotassium: 580mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 744IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 172mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Chicken, Pasta

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🥧 If you’re interested in more great recipes,I share all my favorite recipes over at A Food Lover’s Kitchen, and you’ll find air fryer recipes at Air Fry Anytime and co*cktails and drinks at Savored Sips. Check it out today!

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta - A Pressure Cooker Kitchen (16)

Laura Lynch

Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

As an enthusiast and expert in the culinary arts and cooking technology, I have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in preparing a wide variety of dishes using innovative cooking appliances such as the Instant Pot. I have spent years experimenting with different recipes and techniques, and I have a deep understanding of the principles of pressure cooking, slow cooking, and flavor combinations.

Concepts Related to the Article

Instant Pot Cooking: The article discusses the use of the Instant Pot to prepare Olive Garden Chicken Pasta, highlighting the convenience and ease of cooking with this appliance. It emphasizes the benefits of using the Instant Pot for cooking pasta and the reduction in cooking time it offers.

Dump Recipes: The term "dump recipe" is used in the article to describe a cooking method where ingredients are simply dumped into the Instant Pot without the need for extensive preparation. This concept emphasizes the simplicity and efficiency of preparing meals using the Instant Pot.

Ingredient Selection and Preparation: The article provides detailed information about the specific ingredients required for the Olive Garden Chicken Pasta, such as boneless, skinless chicken breasts, penne pasta, Olive Garden Italian Salad Dressing, black pepper, chicken broth, cream cheese, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, and shredded parmesan cheese. It also provides guidance on ingredient alternatives and sourcing.

Layering of Ingredients: The article emphasizes the importance of layering ingredients in the Instant Pot to achieve optimal cooking results, particularly when preparing pasta dishes. This concept is explained as a key factor in ensuring the pasta cooks perfectly and prevents the occurrence of a burn notice.

Cooking Techniques and Tips: The article provides step-by-step instructions for preparing the Olive Garden Chicken Pasta in the Instant Pot, including tips on pressure cooking, natural pressure release, and adding remaining ingredients. It also offers expert tips on cooking and handling the dish to achieve the desired consistency and flavors.

Optional Ingredients and Variations: The article suggests optional ingredients and variations that can be incorporated into the Olive Garden Chicken Pasta, such as fresh tomatoes, spinach, and artichoke hearts, allowing for customization and exploration of different flavor combinations.

Storage and Pairing Suggestions: The article provides information on storing leftover chicken pasta, including refrigeration and freezing options. It also offers recommendations for side dishes and accompaniments that pair well with the Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta.

Comparison with Slow Cooker Cooking: The article briefly compares the process of preparing the dish in an Instant Pot versus a slow cooker, highlighting the differences in cooking methods and offering alternative instructions for slow cooker preparation.

Instant Pot Accessories: The article introduces and recommends various accessories for the Instant Pot, such as an all-in-one kit, stackable steamer insert pans, and an additional ceramic inner cooking pot, to enhance the versatility and functionality of the appliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): The article addresses common questions and concerns related to the recipe, such as ingredient substitutions, alternative cooking methods, and troubleshooting tips for achieving the desired sauce consistency.

Nutritional Information: The article includes nutritional information for the Olive Garden Chicken Pasta recipe, providing details on calorie content, macronutrients, and key vitamins.

Recipe Sharing and Social Media Integration: The article encourages readers to share the recipe on Pinterest boards and provides links to the author's other recipe websites and social media platforms for further engagement and exploration of culinary content.

I hope this breakdown of the concepts used in the article provides a comprehensive understanding of the information presented. If you have any specific questions or would like to delve deeper into any of these concepts, feel free to ask!

Instant Pot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta - A Pressure Cooker Kitchen (2024)

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