Description
This Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta recipe features tender chicken breasts, smoky turkey bacon, and creamy plant-based cheese in a luscious, velvety sauce made with plant-based heavy cream and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Easy to prepare and slow-cooked to perfection, this comforting dish delivers a rich and savory pasta meal with minimal effort, ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins and Cheeses
- 2 to 3 chicken breasts
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 1 cup shredded plant-based cheese (such as mozzarella or cheddar-style)
Pasta and Liquids
- 2 cups uncooked gluten-free penne or rotini pasta
- 1 cup plant-based heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
Seasonings and Extras
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (natural)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the smoked turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces. Optionally shred the chicken breasts now or leave whole to shred later after cooking.
- Layer the Crockpot: Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the crockpot. Sprinkle chopped smoked turkey bacon, minced garlic, onion powder, and Italian seasoning evenly on top.
- Add Liquids and Pasta: Pour in plant-based heavy cream, chicken broth, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Stir gently to combine the liquids, then add the uncooked pasta, making sure it is submerged to cook evenly.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is fully cooked and the pasta is tender but firm.
- Finish and Serve: Remove chicken breasts and shred or slice as desired. Stir the shredded chicken back into the sauce along with shredded plant-based cheese so it melts throughout. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or basil to brighten the flavors just before serving.
- Check the pasta about 30 minutes before the cooking time ends to avoid mushiness, especially if your crockpot cooks hotter than average.
- Do not overfill the crockpot to ensure even cooking without overflow.
- Stir gently at the end to avoid breaking the pasta and to keep the sauce smooth.
- Add the plant-based cheese in the final step to prevent it from becoming stringy or clumpy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: crockpot chicken pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, slow cooker creamy pasta, gluten-free easy dinner, turkey bacon pasta, creamy chicken pasta