Crockpot Chicken with Olive Garden Dressing and Broccoli Bake Recipe
This viral Crockpot Chicken with Olive Garden Dressing is a delightfully hearty and low-carb meal featuring tender, juicy chicken cooked slowly in flavorful Italian dressing, combined with creamy cream cheese and topped with melty mozzarella cheese. Enhanced with nutritious steamed broccoli and finished under the broiler for a golden cheesy crust, this dish is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 17 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American, Italian
- Diet: Low Carb
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 3 ¼ lbs chicken breast
- 1 ¾ cups Olive Garden Italian dressing
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Vegetables
- 1 steam bag of broccoli (typically 12–16 oz)
Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (approximate measurement)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, arranging them evenly.
- Add Dressing and Cream Cheese: Pour the Olive Garden Italian dressing over the chicken. Add the softened cream cheese along with garlic powder and black pepper. For a smoother sauce, you can mix the cream cheese with a small portion of dressing first before adding.
- Cook the Chicken: Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Steam the Broccoli: About 10 minutes before the chicken finishes cooking, steam the broccoli according to the package instructions, then drain well.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the shredded chicken back to the slow cooker and mix thoroughly with the remaining sauce.
- Preheat Broiler: Preheat your oven’s broiler to prepare for the cheese topping.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the chicken and sauce mixture into a 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly. Add the steamed broccoli on top, evenly distributing it.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the chicken and broccoli mixture.
- Broil the Casserole: Place the casserole under the broiler for 2-5 minutes, watching closely until the cheese melts and turns golden brown in spots. Be careful to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Do not open the crockpot during cooking as it slows down the process and increases cooking time.
- You can substitute fresh broccoli for the steam bag; chop into bite-sized florets and blanch by boiling for 2-3 minutes, then place into an ice bath to maintain bright color and crisp texture.
- Drain broccoli well before adding it to the casserole to avoid excess water.
- Softening cream cheese at room temperature or briefly microwaving ensures a creamy sauce; mixing it with some Italian dressing first helps achieve smoothness.
- Broiling the casserole adds a delicious crispy cheese topping that enhances taste and texture.
