Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Recipe

December 3, 2024 by Amelia Morgan

Walking into Olive Garden feels like stepping into Italy. The smell of fresh pasta and sauces fills the air. The Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara is a standout dish, loved for its mix of flavors. Now, you can make this dish at home and enjoy it just like at the restaurant.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Olive Garden’s Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara is a popular dish that combines creamy pasta with perfectly seasoned seafood and Italian flavors.
This recipe allows you to recreate the restaurant experience at home, offering a balance of comfort food and gourmet dining.
The dish features a rich carbonara sauce, tender chicken, succulent shrimp, and perfectly cooked pasta, making it an ideal choice for those looking to elevate their home cooking skills.
The restaurant chain has become popular in the United States due to its variety of menu options and more affordable prices compared to traditional Italian restaurants.
The Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara at Olive Garden features spaghetti, red peppers, bacon, chicken, and shrimp in a creamy sauce, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Understanding the Classic Olive Garden Carbonara Experience

Olive Garden’s chicken and shrimp carbonara is a favorite on their Italian cuisine menu. It has chicken and shrimp, making it special. The carbonara sauce is creamy, the pasta is cooked just right, and the chicken and shrimp are tender and juicy.

History of Carbonara at Olive Garden

Olive Garden has been serving this dish for over 40 years. It’s a beloved part of their olive garden menu. Over the years, they’ve perfected the recipe, making each bite a treat.

What Makes This Dish Special

The chicken and shrimp carbonara at Olive Garden is all about balance. The creamy carbonara sauce, with eggs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper, coats the spaghetti beautifully. The addition of chicken and shrimp makes it a standout on the Italian cuisine menu.

Key Flavor Components

The dish is centered around classic carbonara flavors: garlic, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. These ingredients blend to create a rich taste that diners love. The olive garden menu item showcases the beauty of simple, yet expertly made, Italian-American cuisine.

“The chicken and shrimp carbonara at Olive Garden is a must-try for anyone seeking an indulgent and authentically Italian-inspired dining experience.”

Essential Ingredients for Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Olive Garden Recipe

To make the famous Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara at home, you need a few key items. Start with high-quality pasta like fettuccine or linguine. This pasta is the base for the dish’s rich and creamy taste. You’ll also need boneless chicken breast and large shrimp for the protein.

For the Carbonara’s unique flavor, you’ll need heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and garlic. Adding pancetta or bacon gives it an extra savory touch. Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbal flavor to the dish.

With these ingredients, you’re ready to make the Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara at home. The quality and freshness of these items are key to getting that restaurant taste.

Fettuccine or linguine pasta
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Heavy cream
Parmesan cheese, grated
Eggs
Garlic, minced
Black pepper
Pancetta or bacon (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish

With these ingredients, you can make a seafood pasta dish as tasty as Olive Garden’s. Enjoy the cozy and Italian cuisine feel of this classic pasta dishes in your own kitchen.

Kitchen Equipment and Tools You’ll Need

To make Olive Garden’s Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara at home, you’ll need some key tools. This dish needs specific equipment to get the right texture and taste.

Essential Cookware

A large pot for boiling the pasta
A deep skillet or sauté pan for cooking the sauce and proteins
A colander for straining the cooked pasta
Measuring cups and spoons for precise ingredient measurements
A whisk for blending the carbonara sauce
A sharp knife for prepping ingredients

Optional Equipment for Best Results

While the basics are must-haves, some extra tools can make your Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara even better:

A pasta pot with a built-in strainer for easily draining the cooked pasta
A garlic press for mincing garlic with ease
A microplane for finely grating Parmesan cheese, a key component of the dish

Having the right tools makes cooking at home easier and more fun. It lets you focus on making delicious easy dinner ideas, like Olive Garden’s Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara.

Preparing the Perfect Pasta Base

The key to a delicious Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara is the pasta. Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. This helps the pasta cook evenly and soak up the dish’s flavors.

When the water boils, add your pasta, like spaghetti or fettuccine. Cook it until it’s al dente, which means it’s tender but still firm.

Before draining the pasta, save a cup of the cooking water. This water will help the creamy sauce stick to the pasta later.

After the pasta is done, drain it well and put it back in the pot. Add a bit of olive oil to prevent it from sticking. Then, set it aside while you make the rest of the dish. Now, you’re ready to make a Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara just like Olive Garden’s.

pasta dishes

“Perfectly cooked pasta is the foundation for a truly exceptional Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara.”

Mastering the Creamy Carbonara Sauce

The secret to a perfect carbonara sauce is in the balance of ingredients and technique. To get that velvety texture, pay close attention to the sauce’s consistency. Follow a few simple tips to master the art of making a creamy carbonara sauce at home.

Sauce Consistency Tips

To get a luscious carbonara sauce, focus on the right consistency. Start by whisking egg yolks and Parmesan cheese until smooth. Then, slowly mix this into hot pasta, off the heat, to avoid scrambled eggs.

If the sauce is too thick, add some pasta cooking water. This will make it silky and coat the pasta well.

Common Sauce Mistakes to Avoid

Adding the egg mixture to pasta that’s too hot, resulting in a grainy, scrambled texture.
Not using enough Parmesan cheese, which can make the sauce watery and lacking in richness.
Overcooking the sauce, causing it to become dry and clumpy.

Mastering these techniques will help you make a creamy carbonara sauce. It will cling to each noodle, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

“The secret to the perfect carbonara lies in the delicate balance of the eggs, cheese, and pasta water. It’s a dance of flavors that, when executed correctly, creates a silky, indulgent sauce that coats each strand of pasta beautifully.”

Cooking the Chicken and Shrimp Components

To make a delicious chicken and shrimp carbonara, cook the proteins separately. Start by seasoning the chicken with Italian herbs and spices. Then, sear it in a hot pan until it’s golden brown and cooked through.

For the shrimp, sauté them quickly in garlic-infused butter. Make sure they turn pink and opaque without overcooking them.

Cooking the chicken and shrimp separately is key. Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough. Overcooked shrimp can be rubbery. By cooking them separately, you ensure each protein is cooked perfectly. This makes the chicken and shrimp carbonara olive garden recipe truly special.

Season the chicken with Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil.
Sear the chicken until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, melt butter over medium heat and add minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, then add the shrimp.
Cook the shrimp, stirring frequently, until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes. Don’t overcook.
Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside with the cooked chicken.

By following these steps, you’ll have perfectly cooked chicken and shrimp. They will blend seamlessly with the pasta and creamy carbonara sauce. This seafood pasta dish will impress everyone. The tender chicken, juicy shrimp, and rich carbonara sauce make it a new family favorite.

Chicken and shrimp in a pan

Assembly and Plating Techniques

To make your homemade Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara look like a restaurant dish, focus on how you assemble and plate it. Start by mixing the cooked pasta, carbonara sauce, chicken, and shrimp in a big bowl or pan. Use tongs to twirl the pasta onto a plate, making it look good and feel right.

Professional Presentation Tips

Place the chicken and shrimp on top and around the pasta. This makes the dish look great and lets everyone enjoy the restaurant favorites of Italian cuisine in your own home.

Garnishing Guidelines

Top it off with a lot of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a rich taste.
Then, sprinkle some chopped parsley for color and freshness.
Finally, add some freshly cracked black pepper to bring out the flavors.
For a fancy touch, put a fresh lemon wedge on the plate’s side.

By learning these easy plating techniques, you can make a dish that’s just like Olive Garden at home. You’ll impress your family and friends with your cooking skills.

Storage and Reheating Guidelines

When cooking at home, knowing how to store and reheat your meals is key. This is especially true for Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara. By following a few simple steps, you can enjoy this dish for days.

Leftovers? Store the Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps the flavors fresh and the sauce moist. You can store it safely for 2-3 days.

To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream. This keeps the sauce creamy. Reheat it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often, until it’s warm.

Don’t use the microwave to reheat. It can make the sauce separate and the pasta rubbery. Stovetop reheating is best for keeping the dish creamy and delicious.

By following these tips, you can enjoy this Olive Garden classic for days. It’s perfect for easy dinner ideas and cooking at home.

Storage Method	Shelf Life	Reheating Technique
Airtight container in the refrigerator	2-3 days	Stovetop, with a splash of milk or cream, over low heat

“Properly stored and reheated, you can enjoy this delicious meal for days after preparing it.”

Conclusion

Recreating Olive Garden’s chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe at home lets you enjoy it anytime. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can make this tasty pasta dish. You’ll save money and feel proud of making a gourmet meal at home.

Perfecting your carbonara skills is fun. It’s a great way to impress your loved ones with a delicious Italian dish. Cooking at home lets you add your own twist to your favorite restaurant meals.

Whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting, this recipe is a great choice. It’s a chance to explore Italian cooking and enjoy the fruits of your labor in the kitchen.

FAQ

What is Olive Garden’s Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara?

Olive Garden’s Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara is a dish loved by many. It combines creamy pasta with seasoned seafood and Italian flavors. You can make this dish at home, blending comfort with gourmet taste.

What makes Olive Garden’s Carbonara dish special?

Its creamy sauce, perfectly cooked pasta, and mix of chicken and seafood make it special. Garlic, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper add to its rich flavor.

What are the essential ingredients for making Olive Garden’s Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara?

You’ll need top-quality pasta, boneless chicken, and large shrimp. Heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic, and black pepper are also key. Pancetta or bacon and fresh parsley add authenticity.

What kitchen equipment is needed for making Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara?

You’ll need a large pot for pasta, a skillet for the sauce, and a colander. Measuring cups, spoons, a whisk, and a sharp knife are also essential. Optional tools include a pasta pot with a strainer, garlic press, and microplane.

How do you cook the pasta for Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara?

Cooking pasta right is crucial. Use a large pot with salted water. Cook until al dente and save some pasta water for the sauce.

What are the keys to making a perfect carbonara sauce?

The sauce’s consistency is key. Whisk eggs and Parmesan, then mix with hot pasta off the heat. Use pasta water to thin if needed. Avoid adding eggs to hot pasta to prevent scrambling.

How should the chicken and shrimp be cooked?

Cook chicken and shrimp separately. Season the chicken with herbs and spices, then cook until done. Sauté shrimp in garlic and butter until pink, being careful not to overcook.

How should the Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara be plated?

Toss pasta, sauce, and proteins in a bowl before plating. Use tongs to twirl pasta onto the plate. Place chicken and shrimp on top and around the pasta. Garnish with Parmesan, parsley, and black pepper. Add a lemon wedge for extra flavor.

How do you store and reheat leftover Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat with milk or cream to prevent sauce drying. Gently reheat on the stovetop, stirring often. Avoid microwaving to prevent sauce separation and pasta rubberiness.

Source Links