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Olive Garden-Style Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara

This creamy, indulgent pasta dish is an Americanized take on traditional carbonara—no eggs needed! With a rich Parmesan sauce and a golden, cheesy topping, it's perfect for a comforting meal.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Keyword: Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Calories: 527kcal

Ingredients

For the Shrimp (or Chicken):

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 lb shrimp (peeled & deveined) OR 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cubed)

For the Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup onion, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 lb linguine (or any long pasta)

For the Topping:

  • ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted
  • 2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp (or Chicken)

  • In a bowl, mix the olive oil, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic.
  • Add the shrimp (or chicken) and toss to coat.
  • Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (if short on time, you can skip this step).

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce

  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant.
  • Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent clumping.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and milk, whisking continuously until smooth.
  • Mix it with ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.

Step 3: Cook the Pasta

  • While making the sauce, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
  • Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.
  • Drain and toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Cook the Shrimp (or Chicken)

  • Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the marinated shrimp (or chicken) along with the oil from the marinade.
  • Cook shrimp for 2 minutes per side or until pink and opaque.
  • If using chicken, cook until golden brown and fully cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
  • Transfer to the sauce along with any pan juices.

Step 5: Combine Everything

  • Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing gently to coat.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.

Step 6: Prepare the Topping & Broil

  • In a small bowl, mix the Parmesan, mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chopped parsley.
  • Transfer the pasta to an oven-safe dish and sprinkle the topping evenly over it.
  • Broil for about 5 minutes or until the cheese melts and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Step 7: Serve & Enjoy

  • Serve immediately while warm and creamy.
  • Garnish with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 527kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 24g | Sugar: -2g
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