Rustic Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe: A Family Favorite

Delectable chicken carbonara blends Italian culinary magic with comfort food dreams.

Silky pasta strands intertwine with tender meat chunks, creating a luxurious dining experience.

Crispy pancetta adds a salty crunch that awakens every taste bud.

Eggs and parmesan cheese form a velvety sauce that coats each ingredient perfectly.

Authentic techniques merge with home cooking simplicity in this remarkable dish.

Quick preparation means you can savor restaurant-quality flavors without complex steps.

Let’s transform an ordinary evening into a memorable feast that celebrates delicious simplicity.

Ingredient List For Creamy Chicken Carbonara

• Spaghetti: A classic pasta that serves as the base for this creamy carbonara dish.
• Chicken: Protein that adds substance and flavor to the carbonara.
• Bacon: Provides a smoky and crispy element to the recipe.

• Eggs: Essential for creating the signature creamy sauce without scrambling.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, tangy flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Contributes to the luxurious and smooth texture of the carbonara.

• Garlic, Salt, Black Pepper: These ingredients enhance the overall depth and taste of the dish.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking the bacon and chicken, adding a subtle base flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: A garnish that provides a fresh and bright finish to the dish.

Making Creamy Chicken Carbonara At Home

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Drop spaghetti into salted boiling water.

Cook until noodles reach al dente texture.

Before draining, scoop out one cup of starchy pasta water and set aside.

Step 2: Crisp Up The Bacon

Heat olive oil in a large skillet.

Cook bacon until edges turn golden and crispy.

Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

Step 3: Cook Chicken To Golden Perfection

In the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté chicken slices.

Cook until each piece develops a beautiful golden-brown exterior and is fully cooked through.

Remove chicken and set aside.

Step 4: Create Creamy Carbonara Base

• Eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Heavy cream
• Minced garlic

Blend ingredients until smooth and well combined.

Step 5: Combine All Elements

Return skillet to low heat.

Add cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon.

Pour egg mixture over ingredients.

Quickly stir to coat everything evenly, ensuring eggs don’t scramble.

Step 6: Achieve Silky Sauce Consistency

Slowly introduce reserved pasta water, stirring continuously.

This helps create a luxuriously smooth and creamy sauce.

Step 7: Final Touches

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Sprinkle chopped parsley on top.

Serve immediately while hot and incredibly delicious.

Tips For Creamy Chicken Carbonara Sauce

• Whisk eggs thoroughly and add them to the pan off direct heat, stirring rapidly to create a smooth, creamy sauce without curdling.
• Cook spaghetti just until firm to the bite, ensuring it doesn't become mushy when mixed with the sauce.
• Crisp bacon separately to render maximum fat, which adds rich, smoky undertones to the carbonara.
• Add reserved pasta water gradually, stirring constantly to help eggs emulsify and create a silky, luxurious sauce.
• Taste and adjust salt carefully, as Parmesan and bacon already contribute significant saltiness to the dish.

Chicken Carbonara – Creative Swaps To Try

• Vegetarian Carbonara: Replace chicken and bacon with sautéed mushrooms and smoked tofu, creating a plant-based version packed with umami flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap traditional spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining the creamy texture.
• Spicy Carbonara Remix: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the egg mixture for an extra kick of heat and complex flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Spin: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and swap Parmesan for feta cheese to give the dish a Greek-inspired transformation.

Serving Creamy Chicken Carbonara Boldly

• Pasta Plate Presentation: Swirl spaghetti strands elegantly on a wide, white plate to showcase the creamy carbonara's rich texture and golden chicken pieces.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Complement the dish with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to balance the creamy sauce and cut through the richness.
• Rustic Side Salad: Add a fresh mixed green salad with light vinaigrette to provide a crisp, tangy contrast to the heavy, creamy pasta dish.
• Herb Sprinkle Finale: Generously scatter fresh chopped parsley or basil on top for a vibrant pop of color and a burst of fresh herbal flavor that enhances the overall taste profile.

Chicken Carbonara: Storage Made Simple

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the chicken and pasta are completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer carbonara to freezer-safe containers, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing dishes with cream-based sauces, as they may separate.
• Warm gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or cream to restore creamy texture. Stir continuously to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a little milk or cream to prevent drying out. Stop heating once the dish is warm throughout to avoid overcooking the eggs.

FAQs

• Why do I need to reserve pasta water?

Pasta water contains starch that helps create a smooth, creamy sauce and helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta, ensuring a perfect texture and consistency.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of bacon?

Yes, pancetta or guanciale are traditional Italian alternatives that work wonderfully in carbonara, providing similar salty and rich flavor profiles.

• How do I prevent the eggs from scrambling when making the sauce?

Keep the heat low and stir continuously while adding the egg mixture, which helps create a silky sauce by gently cooking the eggs without turning them into scrambled eggs.

• Is heavy cream traditional in carbonara?

Classic Italian carbonara doesn’t use cream, but this recipe incorporates it for extra richness and to help prevent egg scrambling, creating a more foolproof method for home cooks.

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Feels Indulgent

• Savor Versatile Comfort: Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings, this carbonara offers a delightful twist on classic Italian cuisine by incorporating chicken alongside traditional bacon.
• Master Quick Cooking: Requiring minimal kitchen skills, home cooks can easily create a restaurant-quality meal in under half an hour with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.
• Customize Your Plate: Flexible recipe allows personalization with extra vegetables, different protein options, or adjusting spice levels to match individual taste preferences.
• Crowd-Pleasing Protein Power: Packed with satisfying chicken and crispy bacon, this dish delivers rich flavors and substantial nutrition that appeals to both adults and kids at the dinner table.

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Culinary magic meets Italian tradition in this irresistible chicken carbonara, where silky pasta tangles with crispy pancetta and tender chicken. Rich parmesan and velvety egg sauce create a comforting embrace that will transport you straight to Rome’s charming streets.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced
• 6 slices of bacon, chopped
• 3 large eggs

Pasta and Cheese:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Boil spaghetti in generously salted water until perfectly tender, typically 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract and preserve 1 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
2. Render bacon in a spacious skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden, developing deep caramelized edges. Transfer crackling pieces to a paper towel-lined plate.
3. Utilize the same skillet to sear chicken slices, cooking until exterior turns rich amber and interior reaches 165°F, ensuring complete protein doneness.
4. Create a luxurious sauce by whisking eggs, grated Parmesan, velvety cream, and aromatic garlic in a separate mixing vessel until thoroughly combined.
5. Reduce skillet temperature to low. Introduce cooked pasta, seared chicken, and crisp bacon, then rapidly incorporate egg mixture, swirling continuously to prevent egg scrambling.
6. Incrementally introduce reserved pasta water, stirring constantly to develop a silky, glossy sauce that elegantly coats each pasta strand.
7. Enhance flavors with judicious salt and freshly cracked pepper. Sprinkle chopped parsley for vibrant color and finish. Serve immediately while sauce remains creamy and warm.

Notes

• Prevent Egg Scrambling by removing the skillet from heat when adding egg mixture and stirring rapidly to create smooth, silky sauce without curdling.
• Pasta Water Magic helps emulsify sauce, adding starchy liquid gradually creates perfect creamy texture and helps sauce cling to noodles.
• Temperature Control matters – use low heat when combining ingredients to maintain sauce’s delicate consistency and prevent egg proteins from separating.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation works by substituting regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta and ensuring bacon and chicken are unprocessed varieties.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 635 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 490 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 210 mg