Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara Olive Garden Recipe

When you walk into Olive Garden, you’re greeted by the smell of Italian food. It’s like a warm hug for your senses. The Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara is a favorite here. It’s a mix of seafood and chicken in a rich, creamy sauce that makes you want more.

Key Takeaways

Olive Garden’s Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara is a popular restaurant dish that combines seafood and poultry in a creamy sauce.
The recipe offers a unique twist on the classic Italian carbonara, incorporating elements of comfort food while maintaining a sophisticated flavor profile.
This dish is part of the Italian-American culinary tradition, appealing to a wide range of palates.
Olive Garden is known for its affordable and diverse menu options, making it a go-to destination for Italian-inspired cuisine.
Recreating the Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara at home allows you to enjoy the flavors of Olive Garden in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Introduction to Olive Garden’s Signature Pasta Dish

Olive Garden has been a favorite spot for over 40 years. It offers a wide range of Italian-inspired dishes. The Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara is a standout, loved by many.

History of Carbonara in Italian Cuisine

The dish carbonara comes from Rome, Italy. It’s made with eggs, cheese, and cured pork, served with spaghetti. Over the years, it has inspired many variations worldwide.

Why This Dish Became a Restaurant Favorite

Olive Garden’s carbonara is special because it adds shrimp and chicken. This makes the dish richer and more varied. It’s a big hit, loved by many for its taste and variety.

“The Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara at Olive Garden is a dish that truly satisfies the taste buds. The perfect blend of savory proteins and the creamy, indulgent sauce make it a must-try for any pasta enthusiast.”

Dish	Description	Popularity
Chicken Parmigiana	A classic Italian-American dish featuring breaded and fried chicken breast topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.	Hit or miss, depending on the chef’s preparation.
Tour of Italy	A combination plate featuring chicken parmigiana, fettuccine Alfredo, and lasagna classico.	A popular choice for diners seeking a variety of flavors in a single dish.
Lasagna Classico	Olive Garden’s take on the traditional Italian lasagna, featuring layers of tangy cheeses and robust meat sauce.	A classic favorite among customers.
Spaghetti and Meatballs	A timeless dish of spaghetti pasta served with traditional Italian meatballs in a savory sauce.	A consistent crowd-pleaser on the Olive Garden menu.
Toasted Ravioli	A popular appetizer featuring lightly fried ravioli, maintaining a crispy texture without excessive grease.	A beloved starter among Olive Garden diners.

Essential Ingredients for Restaurant-Quality Carbonara

To make Olive Garden’s Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara at home, you need top-notch italian cuisine ingredients. The main parts are pasta, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and pancetta or seafood recipes bacon. You’ll also need garlic, shrimp, and chicken.

Choose a strong pasta like spaghetti or linguine for the base. Use fresh, local shrimp and chicken for the real Olive Garden taste. Pancetta or bacon adds a savory flavor. Parmesan cheese and eggs make the creamy sauce.

Garlic is key for depth and smell. Make sure to use fresh, minced garlic. The quality of each ingredient affects the taste and texture of your homemade dish.

Ingredient	Purpose
Pasta	Provides structure and base for the dish
Eggs	Binds the sauce and creates creaminess
Parmesan Cheese	Adds savory, nutty flavor and texture to the sauce
Pancetta or Bacon	Contributes a salty, smoky element
Garlic	Enhances aroma and depth of flavor
Shrimp	Provides succulent seafood recipes element
Chicken	Adds protein and heartiness to the dish

By picking and preparing these key ingredients well, you can bring Olive Garden’s Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara to your kitchen.

Kitchen Equipment and Tools Needed

To make the delicious Olive Garden Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara, you’ll need some basic kitchen tools. You’ll need a large pot for boiling pasta, a deep skillet or sauté pan for the sauce, and a colander for straining the pasta.

Specialized Cookware Requirements

For the best taste, use a heavy-duty, high-quality skillet or sauté pan. It ensures even heat and keeps the sauce smooth. Also, a deep pot is key for boiling pasta. It lets the noodles cook evenly.

Optional Equipment for Best Results

Pasta server or tongs: These tools help move cooked pasta to the sauce, keeping it just right.
Garlic press: It finely minces garlic, blending it well into the sauce.
Cheese grater: A good grater lets you grate Parmesan cheese fresh, boosting the flavor.

With the right kitchen tools, you can make a tasty Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara at home. The right tools and cookware ensure every bite is perfect.

Preparing the Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara Olive Garden Recipe

Making the Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara from Olive Garden at home is fun. It’s all about the details to get that restaurant taste. Let’s go through how to make this copycat recipes, seafood recipes, poultry recipes dish.

Start by cooking your pasta until it’s just right, as the package says. Long pasta like spaghetti or fettuccine is best. After cooking, drain the pasta and keep a cup of the water for later.

Then, cook the shrimp and chicken separately until they’re done and lightly browned. Add salt, pepper, and spices to make them taste better. Once they’re cooked, put them on a plate and set them aside.

Cook the pasta al dente.
Sauté the shrimp and chicken separately.
Reserve a cup of the starchy pasta cooking water.

Dish	Calories	Fat (g)	Sodium (mg)	Carbs (g)	Protein (g)
Shrimp Fritto Misto	1,280	79	5,010	101	41
Meatballs Parmigiana	1,040	83	2,800	27	51
Ravioli Carbonara	1,390	104	2,660	63	53

Now, it’s time to make the creamy sauce. In a skillet, mix eggs, Parmesan cheese, and pasta water. This makes a smooth sauce. Add the cooked pasta, shrimp, and chicken to the sauce and mix well.

Finally, plate the Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara. Make it look good by adding parsley or chives on top. Serve it hot and enjoy this copycat recipes, seafood recipes, poultry recipes dish that tastes like Olive Garden’s.

Making the Perfect Carbonara Sauce

Creating the perfect carbonara sauce for Olive Garden’s Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara is all about balance. It combines traditional methods with a creamy twist. The classic Italian sauce uses eggs, Parmesan, and black pepper. Olive Garden adds a rich, creamy element that makes it unique.

Traditional vs. Olive Garden Style

The traditional Roman carbonara sauce is simple. It mixes hot pasta with beaten eggs and Parmesan cheese. The heat cooks the eggs, making the sauce silky and glossy. Olive Garden’s version adds heavy cream, making it more indulgent and creamy.

Tips for Sauce Consistency

Carefully control the temperature when adding the eggs to the hot pasta to prevent curdling.
Whisk the eggs vigorously before adding them to the pasta to ensure a smooth, uniform texture.
Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and incorporate into the sauce.
For the Olive Garden-style sauce, slowly stir in the heavy cream until the desired consistency is achieved.
Be mindful not to overcook the sauce, as this can lead to a grainy or separated texture.

The secret to a great carbonara sauce is finding the right balance. Whether you follow the traditional or Olive Garden method, mastering these techniques will let you enjoy the creamy and indulgent italian cuisine at home.

Pasta Selection and Cooking Techniques

When making the pasta dishes for this Olive Garden-inspired Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara recipe, picking the right pasta is key. The pasta’s shape and texture greatly affect the dish. So, it’s important to choose wisely.

Fettuccine or linguine are the best choices for this recipe. Their long, ribbon-like strands catch the creamy carbonara sauce well. It’s crucial to cook the pasta al dente. This means it should have a slight bite, not be too soft or mushy.

Adding a generous pinch of salt to the boiling water is essential. It seasons the pasta and helps it keep its texture. Also, watch the cooking time and drain the pasta at the right moment for the perfect al dente texture.

Pasta Type	Cholesterol (mg)	Carbohydrates (g)
Whole Wheat Pasta	0	43
White Pasta	0	43
Spaghetti Squash	0	7
Chickpea Pasta	0	25

By mastering these techniques for italian cuisine pasta, your Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara will have the perfect texture. This complements the rich, flavorful sauce well.

“Pasta is the backbone of italian cuisine, and mastering the art of cooking it is crucial for any home chef.” – Nadia Munno, author of “The Pasta Queen: The Art of Italian Cooking”

Protein Preparation Methods

When making the Olive Garden Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara, it’s key to prepare the proteins right. This ensures the dish tastes and feels like it’s from the restaurant. Let’s look at how to season and cook the shrimp and chicken perfectly.

Seasoning and Cooking the Shrimp

First, clean and devein the shrimp. This makes sure the flavor is pure. Then, sprinkle them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and other spices to match the sauce. Sauté the shrimp until they’re just pink, but don’t overcook them. They should stay tender and sweet.

Chicken Preparation Tips

For the chicken, start by seasoning it well with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Sear the chicken in a hot pan or grill until it’s golden and cooked through. This step boosts the flavor and adds a nice texture to the creamy sauce.

By carefully preparing the seafood and poultry, your Olive Garden Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara will be a hit. It will be a perfect mix of flavors and textures, making it a memorable meal.

Protein Preparation	Seafood Recipes	Poultry Recipes
Cleaning and Deveining	✓	–
Seasoning	✓	✓
Cooking Method	Sautéing	Searing
Texture Consideration	Tender and Juicy	Golden-Brown Crust

“Proper protein preparation is the foundation for a remarkable Olive Garden Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara dish.”

Assembly and Plating Instructions

Improving your restaurant favorites and comfort foods at home is all about the details. When making Olive Garden Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara, it’s important to mix the cooked pasta, creamy sauce, sautéed shrimp, and tender chicken well. This way, you highlight the dish’s flavors and textures.

Begin by tossing the hot, cooked linguine with the creamy carbonara sauce. Make sure every strand is well-coated. Then, place the sautéed shrimp and grilled chicken on top of the pasta. This makes the dish look great.

For a real Olive Garden touch, try twirling the pasta onto the plate. It adds a special flair to your dish.

To finish, add some extra touches. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, a sprig of parsley, or a drizzle of olive oil can make a big difference. These simple steps can make your Olive Garden Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara taste like it’s from a restaurant.

“The secret to a truly exceptional carbonara is in the details. From the perfect pasta twirl to the finishing touches, every step counts.”

Wine Pairing and Serving Suggestions

Choosing the right wine can make your Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara from Olive Garden even better. A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio goes well with the dish’s richness. A medium-bodied red wine, such as Chianti, also pairs nicely, adding a nice contrast to the creamy sauce.

For serving, think about adding a simple side salad or warm garlic bread. This combo will make your meal complete, satisfying your love for Italian cuisine and comfort foods. The perfect pasta dish with the right wine makes for a memorable meal at home.

Whether it’s for a family dinner or a special treat, Olive Garden’s Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara is a great choice. With the right wine and serving ideas, you can make this dish even more enjoyable.

FAQ

What are the key ingredients in Olive Garden’s Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara?

The main ingredients are pasta, eggs, Parmesan cheese, and pancetta or bacon. Garlic, shrimp, and chicken are also key. The quality of these ingredients greatly affects the dish.

What type of equipment is needed to make this dish?

You’ll need a large pot for boiling pasta and a deep skillet or sauté pan for the sauce. A colander is also essential. Optional tools include a pasta server, garlic press, and cheese grater.

How do you prepare the shrimp and chicken for the Carbonara?

Seasoning and cooking the shrimp and chicken right is important. Clean, devein, and cook the shrimp until just pink. Season the chicken well and cook it through before adding it to the dish.

What is the difference between traditional Carbonara and Olive Garden’s version?

Traditional Carbonara uses eggs and cheese in the sauce. Olive Garden’s version adds cream for richness. The key is to control the temperature to avoid curdling.

How do you achieve the perfect pasta texture for this dish?

Cooking the pasta al dente is crucial. It should absorb the sauce without becoming mushy. Salting the pasta water and timing are key for the perfect texture.

What type of wine pairs well with Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara?

A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light-bodied red like Chianti pairs well. They enhance the dining experience.

Olive Garden Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara Recipe