Description
Homemade chicken carbonara emerges as a classic Italian pasta dish with rich, silky sauce and crispy pancetta. Savory ingredients blend perfectly, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
Pasta and Carbohydrates:
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) spaghetti or fettuccine
Dairy and Seasoning:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil pasta in generously salted water until al dente, following package timing. Keep 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Sear chicken pieces in hot olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to separate plate.
- Reduce skillet temperature and sauté minced garlic until aromatic, releasing its delicate fragrance.
- Lower heat and incorporate heavy cream with grated Parmesan, stirring until cheese completely dissolves into a silky sauce.
- Whisk egg yolks with reserved pasta water to prevent curdling, then gradually integrate into skillet sauce while continuously stirring.
- Combine cooked pasta and seared chicken into the creamy mixture, ensuring every strand gets evenly coated. Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water incrementally.
- Season carbonara with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt, balancing flavors with gentle precision.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the dish for vibrant color and herbaceous notes. Serve piping hot directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Prevent egg scrambling by tempering yolks with hot pasta water, ensuring a silky smooth sauce without curdling.
- Create a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for reduced calories.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving hack that adds extra flavor and cuts down on cooking time.
- Adjust sauce consistency by gradually adding reserved pasta water, maintaining perfect creamy texture without becoming too runny or thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg