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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Utilize the same skillet to sear chicken slices, cooking until exterior turns rich amber and interior reaches 165°F, ensuring complete protein doneness.
- Create a luxurious sauce by whisking eggs, grated Parmesan, velvety cream, and aromatic garlic in a separate mixing vessel until thoroughly combined.
- Reduce skillet temperature to low. Introduce cooked pasta, seared chicken, and crisp bacon, then rapidly incorporate egg mixture, swirling continuously to prevent egg scrambling.
- Incrementally introduce reserved pasta water, stirring constantly to develop a silky, glossy sauce that elegantly coats each pasta strand.
- 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