Luscious Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe for Pasta Enthusiasts

Pasta nights reach new heights with this irresistible chicken carbonara that brings Italian comfort right to your kitchen.

Authentic flavors dance through every creamy bite of this chicken carbonara recipe, promising a culinary experience that will delight your senses.

Rich, silky sauce coats perfectly cooked pasta and tender chicken pieces, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Parmesan cheese and crispy pancetta add depth and character to this classic Italian dish.

Eggs and cream create a luxurious base that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

The secret lies in balancing each component with precision and care.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 680 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients You’ll Want for Chicken Carbonara

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that adds heartiness and substance to the dish, choose fresh, boneless cuts with no visible discoloration.
• Bacon: Provides rich, smoky flavor and crispy texture, opt for thick-cut varieties for maximum crunch and taste.
• Eggs: Crucial for creating creamy sauce base, select farm-fresh eggs at room temperature for best integration.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious silky texture, select full-fat cream for most decadent result.
• Parmesan Cheese: Delivers sharp, nutty undertones, choose freshly grated for most intense flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds aromatic depth, select firm, plump cloves with no green sprouts for purest taste.

• Pasta: Central foundation of dish, choose high-quality spaghetti or linguine with good protein content.
• Parsley: Brings fresh, bright garnish, select vibrant green leaves with no wilting for visual appeal.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds subtle background flavor, use extra virgin for best quality.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning agents, use freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt for maximum impact.

Helpful Tools for Chicken Carbonara Success

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken, bacon, and creating the creamy carbonara sauce.
• Cutting Board: Perfect for slicing chicken and prepping ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise cutting of chicken and bacon.
• Whisk: Key for blending eggs, cream, and cheese smoothly without lumps.
• Slotted Spoon: Great for removing crispy bacon from the pan.
• Pasta Pot: Needed to cook pasta to al dente perfection.
• Colander: Important for draining cooked pasta.
• Mixing Bowl: Useful for whisking egg mixture.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helps stir and combine ingredients without scratching the skillet.

Mastering the Chicken Carbonara Process

• Boil Pasta

Grab your favorite pasta and cook it until it’s perfectly tender. Drain and set it aside, ready to become a delicious masterpiece.

• Sizzle Chicken

Season chicken with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Heat up a skillet with a touch of olive oil and cook the chicken until it’s golden and juicy. Slice it into mouth-watering strips.

• Crisp Bacon

Toss diced bacon into the same skillet and cook until it’s irresistibly crunchy. Scoop out the crispy bits and let them rest on a paper towel.

• Whip Creamy Sauce

In a bowl, blend eggs, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Saute minced garlic in the bacon drippings, then gently pour in the egg mixture. Stir carefully to create a silky smooth sauce.

• Mix and Mingle

Toss the cooked pasta and chicken into the skillet. Coat everything with the luxurious sauce. Sprinkle in the crispy bacon and let everything get cozy and warm.

• Plate and Celebrate

Shower the dish with fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. Dive in and enjoy your culinary creation!

Smart Twists for Your Chicken Carbonara

• Skip the bacon for a lighter version or use turkey bacon as a healthier alternative.
• Use room temperature eggs to prevent sauce from curdling and ensure ultra-smooth consistency.
• Swap regular pasta with gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or chickpea flour for celiac-friendly meal.
• Replace chicken with roasted mushrooms or grilled zucchini for a meat-free carbonara experience that's packed with flavor.
• Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the delicious carbonara essence.

Serving Chicken Carbonara the Right Way

• Flavor Explosion Plating: Serve the carbonara in wide, shallow bowls to showcase the creamy sauce and beautifully display the golden chicken strips and crispy bacon bits.
• Herb Garden Sprinkle: Add a fresh dimension by scattering chopped basil or chives over the top for a burst of green color and bright, aromatic flavor.
• Wine Pairing: Complement the rich, creamy dish with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Chardonnay that cuts through the richness and enhances the meal's overall taste profile.
• Salad Sidekick: Create a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the carbonara's heaviness and provide a refreshing, zesty counterpoint to the creamy pasta.

How to Keep Chicken Carbonara Tasting Great

• Let the chicken carbonara rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain sauce quality.
• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep sauce and pasta separate if possible to prevent soggy texture.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore sauce's creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Not recommended for freezing due to cream-based sauce and egg ingredients, which can separate and lose original texture when thawed.

FAQs

• Why use both eggs and heavy cream in the carbonara sauce?

The combination creates a richer, smoother sauce with a silky texture. Eggs provide the classic carbonara base, while heavy cream adds extra creaminess and helps prevent the sauce from becoming too dense or scrambled.

• How do I prevent the eggs from scrambling when making the sauce?

Reduce the heat to low and pour the egg mixture slowly while stirring constantly. This gentle technique prevents direct high heat from curdling the eggs, creating a smooth, creamy sauce instead of scrambled eggs.

• Can I substitute the bacon with another protein?

Pancetta is the traditional Italian choice and works wonderfully. If you prefer, you can also use prosciutto or even turkey bacon for a different flavor profile while maintaining a similar crispy texture.

• What's the best way to slice chicken for this recipe?

After cooking the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes to retain moisture. Then slice against the grain into thin, even strips. This ensures tender pieces that will mix well with the pasta and sauce.

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe

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• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken carbonara elevates classic Italian pasta with smoky bacon and rich parmesan. Silky noodles coated in luxurious sauce promise a comforting meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 large eggs
• 8 oz (226 g) spaghetti or fettuccine
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, cook pasta until al dente, then drain and reserve for later use.
2. Chicken Mastery: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear in hot olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and thoroughly cooked, about 6-7 minutes per side. Rest briefly, then slice into elegant strips.
3. Bacon Transformation: In the same skillet, render bacon until crisp and caramelized. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease.
4. Sauce Crafting: Whisk eggs, cream, and Parmesan in a bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper. Sauté minced garlic in bacon drippings until fragrant.
5. Sauce Fusion: Reduce heat to low, carefully incorporate egg mixture, stirring constantly to prevent curdling. Allow sauce to thicken into a luxurious consistency.
6. Final Assembly: Combine sliced chicken and pasta in the skillet, thoroughly coating with the creamy sauce. Integrate crispy bacon pieces, ensuring even flavor distribution.
7. Elegant Presentation: Garnish with fresh parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve immediately while piping hot, celebrating the dish’s rich, harmonious flavors.

Notes

Prevent Egg Curdling: Maintain low heat and stir continuously when adding egg mixture to avoid scrambling, creating a smooth, silky sauce.

Temperature Control for Chicken: Let chicken rest after cooking to retain juices, ensuring moist and tender meat slices that enhance the overall dish’s quality.

Bacon Crispiness Technique: Pat bacon dry before frying to achieve maximum crispiness, and use a slotted spoon to remove excess grease for optimal texture.

Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a small amount of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed, helping to create a perfectly creamy carbonara with ideal thickness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 680
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg