Description
This Chicken Carbonara recipe is a delicious twist on the classic Italian pasta dish, combining tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy Parmesan sauce made with eggs and heavy cream. Ready in just 35 minutes, this hearty and comforting meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner and serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
Chicken and Bacon
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 slices bacon, diced
Sauce and Seasoning
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon: In the same skillet, add the diced bacon and cook until crispy, rendering the fat. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon fat and sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream until smooth and combined.
- Combine Everything: Lower the heat to low. Return the cooked chicken and crispy bacon to the skillet, then add the drained spaghetti. Toss everything together to combine well. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, stirring quickly to create a creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs. Add reserved pasta water as needed to reach the desired creamy consistency.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper if necessary. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Carbonara immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Be careful when adding the egg mixture to avoid scrambling; stir quickly and keep the heat low.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth sauce.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less creamy.
- For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free spaghetti.
