Best-ever Chicken Carbonara Recipe: Creamy Italian Magic

Creamy and irresistible, this best-ever chicken carbonara recipe promises a delightful twist on the classic Italian favorite.

Pasta lovers will appreciate the rich, silky sauce that coats each perfectly cooked noodle.

Home cooks can easily master this elegant dish with just a few simple ingredients.

Crispy pancetta adds a salty crunch that complements the tender chicken pieces.

Authentic flavors blend seamlessly, creating a restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen.

Parmesan cheese brings a sharp, nutty finish that elevates every single bite.

Rush to your kitchen and start cooking – this carbonara will become your new go-to comfort meal.

Why Chicken Carbonara Always Satisfies

• Speed Up Weeknight Dinners: Whip up this delicious chicken carbonara in just a few simple steps, making it perfect for busy families craving a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping chicken for other proteins or adding extra vegetables, giving you a flexible dish that matches your taste and nutritional preferences.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Recreate a classic Italian favorite with professional-level results, impressing your family and friends with minimal cooking skills required.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this single-skillet recipe that combines all ingredients seamlessly, saving time and reducing dish-washing hassle after a delicious meal.

Ingredients in Best-ever Carbonara Recipe

• Spaghetti: A classic pasta that serves as the base for this creamy carbonara dish.
• Chicken: Provides a protein-rich element to make the meal more substantial.
• Eggs: Create the signature silky and rich sauce for the carbonara.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Bacon: Brings a smoky and savory depth to the overall flavor profile.

• Olive Oil, Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Add essential seasoning and aromatic base to the dish.

• Heavy Cream (Optional): Helps create an extra creamy and luxurious sauce texture.

• Parsley: Provides a fresh, green accent and brightens the final presentation.

How to Make Chicken Carbonara at Home

Step 1: Boil Perfect Pasta

Cook spaghetti in salted water until perfectly al dente.

Carefully set aside one cup of starchy pasta water before draining the noodles in a colander.

Step 2: Create Silky Egg Mixture

Whisk eggs, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream in a mixing bowl until the blend becomes smooth and creamy with no lumps.

Step 3: Sizzle Aromatic Base

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Add minced garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant, releasing its delightful aroma throughout the kitchen.

Step 4: Build Flavor Layers

Add cooked chicken and crispy bacon to the skillet.

Season generously with salt and black pepper, allowing the ingredients to meld together beautifully.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Lower the heat to prevent egg scrambling.

Introduce drained pasta to the skillet and slowly pour the egg mixture, quickly tossing to coat each strand evenly.

Step 6: Adjust Sauce Consistency

Gradually incorporate reserved pasta water, stirring continuously to create a luxurious, creamy sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.

Step 7: Plate and Garnish

Transfer the carbonara to serving plates immediately.

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese on top for an extra touch of elegance.

Simple Tips for Carbonara Chicken Dish

• Temper the egg mixture by slowly adding hot pasta water while continuously stirring to create a silky, smooth sauce without curdling.
• Use reserved pasta water strategically to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick, ensuring a creamy texture that coats the spaghetti perfectly.
• Toast garlic briefly in olive oil to release its aromatic oils and prevent burning, which adds a rich, nutty undertone to the carbonara.
• Remove skillet from heat before adding egg mixture and toss rapidly to distribute sauce evenly and prevent egg from scrambling.
• Select freshly grated Parmesan cheese and crispy bacon for maximum flavor impact and authentic carbonara experience.

Different Takes on Chicken Carbonara

• Vegetarian Carbonara: Replace chicken and bacon with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and plant-based bacon bits for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free spaghetti or zucchini noodles to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap Parmesan with nutritional yeast and coconut cream for a lighter, lactose-free alternative.
• Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to give the carbonara a zesty kick and extra flavor complexity.

What Goes Well With Chicken Carbonara

• Pasta Night Party: Serve this carbonara as the star of a casual dinner with friends, paired with a crisp white wine and fresh garden salad.
• Romantic Dinner Delight: Plate the carbonara elegantly on warmed dishes, add candlelight, and create a cozy Italian-inspired evening at home.
• Weekend Comfort Meal: Enjoy this creamy dish with family, accompanied by warm garlic bread and a light side of roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.
• Picnic Perfect Twist: Pack the carbonara in a sealed container for a gourmet outdoor lunch, with extra Parmesan and chopped herbs on the side for fresh topping.

Store Chicken Carbonara for Later Meals

• Store leftover carbonara in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cover the pasta completely to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water over the pasta before microwaving to restore moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent clumping.
• Warm the carbonara in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or cream to revive the sauce's creamy texture. Stir gently and continuously to prevent sticking and maintain sauce consistency.
• Skip freezing carbonara, as eggs and cream will separate and become grainy when thawed, destroying the dish's smooth, silky texture.

FAQs

• Why do I need to reserve pasta water?

The starchy pasta water helps create a smooth, creamy sauce and prevents the carbonara from becoming too dry or clumpy.

• Can I use different types of pasta?

Yes, while spaghetti is traditional, you can use other long pasta like linguine or fettuccine that will hold the sauce well.

• Is it safe to use raw eggs in this recipe?

The heat from the pasta slightly cooks the eggs, creating a silky sauce. For extra safety, use pasteurized eggs if concerned about raw egg consumption.

• How can I prevent the eggs from scrambling?

Remove the pan from heat and add the egg mixture slowly while continuously tossing the pasta to ensure even coating and prevent egg from cooking too quickly.

Best-ever Chicken Carbonara Recipe

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Silky chicken carbonara brings classic Italian comfort to pasta lovers’ tables. Creamy sauce, crispy pancetta, and tender chicken create a luxurious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and sliced
• 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

Pasta and Dairy:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasonings and Extras:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente, maintaining a slight firmness. Carefully extract and preserve one cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining pasta completely.
2. Create a silky emulsion by whisking eggs, grated Parmesan, and cream until uniformly blended and smooth.
3. Warm olive oil in a generously sized skillet over medium flame. Introduce minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and lightly golden.
4. Incorporate pre-cooked, diced chicken and crispy bacon pieces into the fragrant garlic base. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt to enhance flavors.
5. Reduce cooking temperature to low, allowing gentle heat. Add drained pasta directly into the skillet, then meticulously pour egg mixture while continuously tossing to ensure even, creamy coating.
6. Gradually introduce reserved pasta water, stirring methodically to develop a luxurious, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to each pasta strand.
7. Transfer immediately to serving plates, garnishing with finely chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese shavings for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Prevent egg scrambling by removing the skillet from heat before adding the egg mixture, ensuring a silky smooth sauce.
• Use room temperature eggs to help create a more even, creamy texture without risking curdling.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories while maintaining richness.
• Gluten-free option works perfectly by swapping regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or quinoa.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 630 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 190 mg