Description
Indulgent chicken carbonara delights pasta enthusiasts with its rich, silky sauce and crispy pancetta. Parmesan cheese and perfectly cooked chicken create a classic Italian-inspired meal that satisfies with each comforting forkful.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 4 slices of bacon, chopped
- 3 large eggs
Pasta and Cheese:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract and preserve one cup of starchy cooking liquid before straining.
- Sear chicken pieces in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil until golden brown and completely cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Render bacon in the identical skillet until crisp and mahogany-colored, creating a flavorful fond. Drain excess fat, maintaining a thin layer for sautéing.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, allowing it to become aromatic and translucent for roughly 30-45 seconds.
- Combine eggs, grated Parmesan, and heavy cream in a mixing bowl. Season with freshly cracked black pepper and a pinch of salt, whisking until thoroughly integrated.
- Reincorporate cooked chicken and crispy bacon into the skillet with the garlic. Reduce heat to low.
- Pour egg mixture over the ingredients, continuously tossing to create a silky, emulsified sauce. Gradually introduce reserved pasta water to achieve desired creamy consistency.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the dish and serve while piping hot to maintain optimal texture and temperature.
Notes
- Prevent Egg Scrambling: Temper the egg mixture by slowly adding hot pasta water while whisking continuously to create a smooth, silky sauce without curdling.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with pancetta, shrimp, or tofu for vegetarian/alternative protein variations that maintain the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to create a lactose-free version that’s equally creamy and delicious.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Cook extra chicken and bacon to store separately, allowing quick assembly of carbonara during busy weeknights while maintaining optimal texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg