Olive Garden–Style Chicken Pasta (Creamy & Easy!)
Rich, creamy, and loaded with tender chicken—this tastes just like (or better than!) Olive Garden and comes together fast.
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Chicken
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
Pasta
12 oz fettuccine, penne, or rotini
Water + salt for boiling
Creamy Olive Garden–Style Sauce
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp nutmeg (optional but authentic)
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-Ins
1 cup broccoli florets (steamed or sautéed)
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup sliced mushrooms
Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions.
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Chicken
Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked.
Remove from pan, rest 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
3️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce
In the same skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat.
Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds (do not brown).
Pour in heavy cream and milk, stirring gently.
Add Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Simmer 5–7 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy.
If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time.
4️⃣ Combine Everything
Add cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
Add sliced chicken and any optional add-ins.
Simmer 2–3 minutes until everything is hot and coated.
5️⃣ Serve
Garnish with fresh parsley or basil
Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top
Serve with garlic bread or salad
Pro Tips (Olive Garden Flavor!)
Use freshly grated Parmesan, not canned
Add a splash of cream at the end for extra silkiness
For Alfredo-style richness, use all heavy cream instead of milk
Variations
Spicy: Add red pepper flakes
Shrimp: Swap chicken for sautéed shrimp
Low-carb: Use zucchini noodles
Extra cheesy: Add ½ cup mozzarella
