The Best Chicken Carbonara Recipe: Creamy Italian Magic

Mastering the art of chicken carbonara requires passion and precision for this classic Italian dish.

Creamy eggs blend seamlessly with crisp pancetta and tender chicken pieces.

Authentic flavors emerge from simple, quality ingredients carefully combined.

Rome’s culinary tradition inspires this delectable pasta creation.

Sophisticated yet approachable, the recipe promises a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Fresh parmesan and black pepper add depth to each luxurious bite.

You’ll want to savor every single forkful of this mouthwatering comfort food.

Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara: Why It Impresses

• Culinary Crowd-Pleaser: This chicken carbonara delivers restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen, making it a guaranteed hit for family dinners and casual gatherings.
• Master Quick Comfort Cooking: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, home cooks of all skill levels can create a deliciously creamy pasta dish that feels luxurious yet uncomplicated.
• Protein-Packed Meal Solution: Combining tender chicken and crispy bacon with pasta creates a satisfying one-pan meal that delivers substantial nutrition and incredible taste in a single serving.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows quick ingredient swaps or additions like vegetables, making it adaptable to personal preferences and what's available in your pantry.

Ingredients in Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Pasta: The foundation of this creamy and delicious carbonara dish.
• Chicken: A protein-packed ingredient that adds hearty flavor to the recipe.
• Bacon: Provides a crispy and smoky element that enhances the overall taste.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a rich, salty, and tangy flavor to the creamy sauce.
• Eggs: Creates a silky, smooth sauce that coats the pasta and other ingredients.

• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: These classic seasonings boost the depth and complexity of the dish's flavor profile.
• Parsley: A fresh herb that provides a bright, green garnish to finish the carbonara.

How to Make Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Drop in the pasta and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture.

Carefully scoop out a half cup of pasta water before draining the rest. The reserved water will be your secret weapon for creating a silky sauce later.

Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon

Heat a spacious skillet over medium flame. Toss in the bacon pieces and cook until they transform into irresistibly crispy, golden bites.

Once done, transfer the bacon to a plate, leaving behind those delicious drippings in the pan.

Step 3: Cook Chicken and Garlic

In the same pan with bacon fat, add chicken cubes and cook until they turn a beautiful golden brown and are completely cooked through.

Sprinkle in minced garlic and let it dance around the pan for about a minute, releasing its aromatic magic.

Step 4: Prepare the Creamy Egg Mixture

• Eggs
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• A pinch of salt
• A dash of black pepper

Whisk until the ingredients become a smooth, luxurious blend.

Step 5: Combine and Create Creamy Magic

Remove the pan from heat. Add the cooked pasta, crispy bacon, and golden chicken.

Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the top. Quickly toss everything together, using small splashes of reserved pasta water to create a lusciously creamy sauce that coats every single morsel.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley over the top. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, add a generous handful of additional Parmesan cheese.

Serve immediately while the carbonara is steaming hot and incredibly inviting.

Tips to Boost Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara Flavor

• Whisk eggs quickly to prevent scrambling when adding to hot pasta. Create a silky sauce by gradually incorporating reserved pasta water, which helps emulsify ingredients smoothly. Choose thick-cut bacon for extra crunch and rich flavor profile in the carbonara. Select high-quality Parmesan cheese for authentic taste and creamy texture. Keep ingredients at room temperature before mixing to ensure even cooking and optimal sauce consistency.

Flavor Variations to Try with Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Vegetarian Carbonara: Replace chicken and bacon with sautéed mushrooms and crispy tofu cubes for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta instead of traditional wheat pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Seafood Variation: Swap chicken for shrimp or salmon, adding a delicate marine flavor to the classic carbonara recipe.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with spiralized cauliflower or spaghetti squash for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal option.

Pairings That Complement Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Cozy Family Dinner Delight: Serve this carbonara as a hearty main course for a comforting weeknight meal that brings everyone together around the table.
• Restaurant-Style Plating Magic: Create an elegant presentation by twirling pasta on a white plate, topping with crispy bacon bits, fresh parsley, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
• Picnic Perfect Pasta Twist: Pack this dish in a sealed container for a delicious outdoor lunch, keeping the sauce creamy by adding a touch more reserved pasta water before serving.
• Leftover Lunch Transformation: Reheat gently with a splash of pasta water to restore creaminess, turning the next day's lunch into a quick and satisfying meal that tastes just as good as the night before.

Proper Storage of Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Separate the chicken carbonara into individual portions for easier reheating and storage.
• Keep the pasta and sauce together to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Avoid freezing this dish, as eggs and cream-based sauces tend to separate and lose texture when thawed.

FAQs

• Can I use pancetta instead of bacon?

Yes, pancetta is a great substitute and will add a more delicate, less smoky flavor to the carbonara.

• How do I prevent the eggs from scrambling?

Remove the pan from heat before adding the egg mixture and quickly toss the pasta to create a smooth, creamy sauce. This helps prevent the eggs from cooking too quickly and becoming scrambled.

• Is this dish considered authentic Italian carbonara?

Traditional Italian carbonara doesn’t include chicken, but this recipe is a delicious American-style adaptation that adds protein and extra flavor to the classic dish.

• What type of pasta works best for carbonara?

Spaghetti or linguine are the most traditional choices, but any long pasta like fettuccine or bucatini will work well in this recipe.

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic carbonara brings Italian comfort to your kitchen with creamy sauce and crispy pancetta. Simple ingredients combine for a restaurant-quality meal that satisfies hearty appetites and delivers authentic Roman flavor.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 large chicken breasts, cubed
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 4 large eggs

Pasta and Cheese:

• 1 pound (454 grams) spaghetti or pasta of choice
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Garnish:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup pasta cooking water
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Bring a generously salted pot of water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until perfectly tender, maintaining an al dente texture. Extract and preserve 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
2. Render bacon in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat until achieving a golden, crisp perfection. Transfer the crunchy morsels to a side plate, preserving a thin layer of rendered fat.
3. Introduce cubed chicken into the same skillet, searing until thoroughly cooked and displaying no raw pink areas. Incorporate finely minced garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 60 seconds.
4. Whisk eggs and freshly grated Parmesan in a separate mixing bowl, seasoning with a delicate balance of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
5. Immediately remove skillet from heat source and amalgamate cooked pasta, crispy bacon, and seared chicken. Cascade the egg and cheese mixture over the ingredients, rapidly tossing to ensure comprehensive coating, progressively incorporating reserved pasta water to craft a luxuriously smooth, silky sauce.
6. Elegantly garnish with verdant chopped parsley and an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve piping hot, presenting the dish at its most sublime moment.

Notes

• Avoid scrambling eggs by removing pan from heat before adding egg mixture, ensuring smooth, silky sauce without curdling.
• Use room temperature eggs for better sauce emulsification and even coating of pasta.
• Experiment with pancetta instead of bacon for a more traditional Italian carbonara flavor profile.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 606 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 495 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 68 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 44 g
• Cholesterol: 177 mg