Description
This Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara is a comforting Italian-American pasta dish featuring tender strips of chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich, creamy sauce made from eggs, Parmesan, and optional heavy cream. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines the classic flavors of carbonara with a hearty twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
Sauce & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional for a creamier texture)
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Cook Bacon and Garlic: In the same skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low.
- Prepare Sauce Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream (if using).
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the bacon and toss to combine. Slowly pour in the egg mixture while tossing continuously to coat the pasta without scrambling the eggs.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Add reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
- Add Chicken and Serve: Stir in cooked chicken and combine everything thoroughly. Serve warm, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- For a more traditional carbonara, omit the heavy cream.
- Ensure the skillet is not too hot when adding the egg mixture to prevent curdling.
- Pancetta can be used instead of bacon for a more authentic Italian flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 185mg
