Unforgettable Chicken Carbonara Recipe You’ll Crave Tonight

Culinary magic happens when you blend classic Italian chicken carbonara with unexpected twists.

Creamy egg-based sauce coats perfectly cooked pasta, creating a symphony of rich flavors.

Authentic ingredients dance together in this simple yet luxurious dish.

Rome’s traditional recipe gets a modern makeover through careful technique and fresh perspectives.

Each bite promises a delightful blend of crispy pancetta, silky eggs, and tender chicken.

Parmesan cheese sprinkled generously adds depth and complexity that will make your taste buds sing.

Whip up this comforting meal and watch everyone around the table fall in love.

Why You’ll Love Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• The combination of chicken and bacon delivers a hearty protein boost, turning this classic Italian dish into a more substantial and nutritious dinner option that keeps you full and energized.
• With its creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and tender chicken, this carbonara appeals to both adults and kids, making it an ideal family meal that everyone will love and request again and again.
• Achieve gourmet flavors without the expensive restaurant bill, creating a luxurious-tasting dish that impresses guests and satisfies home cooking enthusiasts with minimal culinary skills required.

What Goes Into Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that adds substance and flavor to the dish, boneless and skinless recommended.
• Bacon: Provides a crispy, smoky element that enhances the overall taste, thick-cut preferred.
• Eggs: Create the creamy base for the carbonara sauce, fresh large eggs work best.

• Spaghetti or Linguine: Classic pasta choice for carbonara, use high-quality Italian pasta for authentic texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce, freshly grated recommended.

• Heavy Cream: Creates rich and smooth texture for the carbonara sauce, full-fat version preferred.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and complementary flavor, fresh minced garlic suggested.
• Olive Oil: Helps cook chicken and prevent sticking, extra virgin olive oil recommended.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance overall taste, freshly ground black pepper preferred.
• Fresh Parsley: Provides bright garnish and fresh herb note, finely chopped.

Cooking Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara at Home

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook pasta in salted water until tender. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sear Chicken

• Chicken breasts
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Olive oil

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat skillet over medium flame. Add olive oil and cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Slice into strips after resting.

Step 3: Crisp Bacon

Cook diced bacon in skillet until crunchy. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess fat.

Step 4: Create Silky Sauce

• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic

Whisk eggs, cream, and cheese in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Saute minced garlic in skillet. Lower heat and slowly incorporate egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent scrambling. Cook until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 5: Marry Ingredients

Add pasta and chicken to skillet. Toss to coat with sauce. Mix in crispy bacon. Heat everything together for 2-3 minutes.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

Sprinkle fresh parsley and extra Parmesan on top. Serve hot and savor every bite.

Smart Tips for Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Prevent Sauce Curdling: Temper the egg mixture by slowly adding hot bacon drippings while whisking constantly, which helps create a smooth, creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs.
• Control Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain a firm bite and prevent mushiness when mixing with the hot carbonara sauce.
• Maximize Bacon Flavor: Use high-quality bacon and cook it until perfectly crispy, reserving the drippings to infuse extra richness into the carbonara sauce.
• Balance Protein Proportions: Slice chicken into uniform strips to ensure even cooking and consistent distribution throughout the dish.
• Elevate Final Presentation: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese just before serving to add brightness and enhance the overall flavor profile.

Keeping Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara for Later

• Store leftover chicken carbonara in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odors from spreading.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to distribute heat evenly. Add a splash of milk or cream to restore sauce's creamy texture and prevent dryness.
• Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and maintain sauce consistency. Add a small amount of cream or water to help revive the sauce and prevent clumping.
• Do not freeze this dish, as the creamy sauce and eggs can separate and lose their original texture when thawed, resulting in a grainy, unappetizing meal.

Great Sides for Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly cut through the rich, creamy carbonara sauce with their bright, acidic notes.
• Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy, decadent pasta dish and cleanse the palate.
• Serve warm, rustic Italian bread to soak up the delicious carbonara sauce and add a delightful textural contrast.
• Add a chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon to refresh the palate between bites of the rich, creamy chicken carbonara.

Fun Twists on Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Vegetarian Carbonara: Replace chicken and bacon with roasted mushrooms and smoked tofu, creating a plant-based alternative that maintains rich, savory flavors.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta made from rice or chickpea flour, ensuring those with wheat sensitivities can enjoy the dish.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Use spiralized cauliflower or spaghetti squash instead of pasta, reducing carbohydrate content while keeping the creamy carbonara essence intact.
• Dairy-Free Version: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese, accommodating dairy-free dietary needs without sacrificing flavor.

Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara Recipe

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4.6 from 36 reviews

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

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Description

Creamy Italian classic Chicken Carbonara elevates pasta night with silky sauce and crispy pancetta. Rich parmesan, tender chicken, and perfectly al dente pasta create a comforting meal that welcomes you to savor each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 2 large eggs

Pasta and Base:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced

Cheese and Seasoning:

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until it reaches a tender yet firm texture, then drain and set aside.
2. Carefully season chicken breasts with a blend of salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature and sear chicken until golden and fully cooked, approximately 6-7 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board, allow to rest briefly, then slice into elegant strips.
3. Utilize the same skillet to render bacon pieces until they transform into crispy, caramelized morsels. Extract bacon using a slotted spoon and deposit onto paper towels to absorb excess grease.
4. Create the signature carbonara sauce by whisking eggs, rich cream, and aged Parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl. Season with a delicate balance of salt and pepper. Introduce minced garlic to the skillet’s remaining bacon drippings, sautéing until aromatic.
5. Reduce heat to low and gently incorporate the egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent unwelcome curdling. Allow sauce to gradually thicken and develop a luxurious consistency.
6. Introduce sliced chicken and pasta into the skillet, meticulously coating each strand with the velvety sauce. Fold in crispy bacon fragments, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
7. Finish the dish by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley and an additional dusting of Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while piping hot, celebrating the harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Notes

• Prevent sauce curdling by tempering eggs with a small amount of hot skillet drippings before adding to pan, slowly whisking to gradually raise egg temperature.
• Slice chicken against the grain for maximum tenderness and ensure it’s fully cooked but not dried out by using a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Use high-quality Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper for authentic flavor depth, grating the cheese just before adding to enhance its rich, nutty profile.
• Create a lighter version by substituting half-and-half for heavy cream and using turkey bacon or lean pancetta to reduce overall fat content while maintaining delicious taste.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg