Description
Creamy chicken carbonara delivers Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with irresistible charm. Rich parmesan, crispy pancetta, and silky pasta combine in one elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 5 strips bacon, cooked and diced
Starch:
- 1 pound (454 grams) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or bowtie)
- 3 tablespoons flour
Flavoring and Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth (plus extra if needed)
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese shavings
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium temperature and gently melt butter until it shimmers.
- Add chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until edges turn golden and crisp, approximately 6-7 minutes. Remove and reserve.
- In the same skillet, introduce minced garlic and sauté until aromatic, releasing its fragrant essence.
- Whisk together milk, heavy cream, chicken broth, and flour, creating a silky smooth mixture without lumps.
- Reduce heat to low and allow sauce to simmer, stirring occasionally until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, roughly 5-6 minutes.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until completely melted and sauce achieves a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Meanwhile, prepare pasta according to package directions, ensuring it reaches an al dente texture.
- Drain pasta and immediately transfer into the prepared sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coating.
- Fold in crispy bacon pieces and previously cooked chicken, distributing ingredients evenly throughout the dish.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and an optional sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by marinating chicken in herbs like rosemary or thyme before cooking for deeper taste profiles.
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F to prevent foodborne illness.
- Create a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt for reduced calories.
- Customize for vegetarian diets by replacing chicken with roasted mushrooms or plant-based protein alternatives like tofu cubes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 65g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg