Description
Creamy Italian classic Chicken Carbonara invites passionate home cooks into a world of silky pasta and rich flavors. Parmesan-dusted noodles with crispy pancetta create a comforting meal you’ll savor down to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) spaghetti
- 4 slices bacon (chopped)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente at 8-9 minutes, carefully extracting 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature around 375°F, searing chicken strips with salt and black pepper until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach 165°F internal temperature.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, then use the same skillet to crisp bacon until edges turn deep mahogany and texture becomes crunchy.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low, quickly sautéing minced garlic for 30-45 seconds to release aromatic flavors without burning.
- Whisk eggs, grated Parmesan, and heavy cream in a separate bowl until smooth and fully integrated, creating a silky sauce base.
- Combine hot pasta, seared chicken, and crispy bacon in the skillet, immediately removing from heat to prevent egg scrambling.
- Pour egg mixture over hot ingredients, rapidly stirring and incorporating reserved pasta water to create a luxurious, glossy coating that clings to each strand.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley across the dish for vibrant color and herbaceous brightness, serving immediately to maintain optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Save that starchy liquid gold to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of spaghetti.
- Remove the skillet from heat before adding egg mixture to prevent scrambling, ensuring a luxurious, creamy texture.
- Swap chicken with turkey, shrimp, or tofu for different dietary preferences without compromising the dish’s rich flavor profile.
- Use dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast and coconut cream to make the carbonara suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg