Olive Garden will add Chicken Crostina, the newest dish inspired by Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany, to the menu from April 9 through May 27 and will also offer cooking demonstrations for the dish on its web site.

Olive Garden’s Chicken Crostina begins with tender chicken breasts that have been marinated in olive oil and rosemary then lightly breaded. A Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or a blend of both varietals pairs especially well with this dish.

Beginning April 9, guests can also visit www.olivegarden.com/recipes/ for the at-home recipe of Chicken Crostina and prepare it alongside Olive Garden Senior Executive Chef Paolo Lafata through one of several online cooking demonstrations available to view or download as a podcast.

Guests who dine in the restaurant during the promotional period will also receive one of three recipe cards featuring a Culinary Institute of Tuscany-inspired dish: the limited-time Chicken Crostina, or regular menu items Shrimp & Asparagus Risotto and Tuscan Garlic Chicken.

Chicken Crostina is the newest entrée inspired by Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany, where many of the dishes on the menu originate. Located in a restored 11th-century village in Castellina in Chianti, Olive Garden brings more than 100 managers to its Culinary Institute of Tuscany every year to train and learn the time-honored traditions of Italian cooking, such as selecting only the freshest ingredients, layering sauces to build flavor, perfecting al dente pasta, and pairing sauces and pasta to create the most flavorful meals.

“Throughout generations, Italians have used a variety of ingredients to crust poultry, meats, and seafood as a way to seal in moisture, enhance flavor and add interesting textures to their recipes,” said Sicily-native and Olive Garden Senior Executive Chef Paolo Lafata. “We continue this tradition with Chicken Crostina, which brings timeless cooking techniques and distinct Italian flavors to the table.”

For Lafata’s tips on creating delicious dishes with ingredients such as homemade bread crumbs, potatoes, herbs or cheeses, visit www.olivegarden.com/press/fact_sheets/crusting_fact.asp.