Description
Enjoy this effortless Chicken Carbonara recipe, a creamy, flavorful pasta dish with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for quick and delicious meals!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 oz bacon or pancetta, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and let it rest before slicing into strips.
- Cook the Bacon or Pancetta: In the same skillet, add the bacon or pancetta and cook until crispy. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Mix the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. If using heavy cream, incorporate it into the mixture for extra creaminess.
- Combine Ingredients: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with bacon and toss to coat. Slowly pour in the egg mixture while stirring continuously to create a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Add Chicken: Fold in the sliced chicken and gently mix everything until well combined and heated through.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the Chicken Carbonara, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side.
Notes
- Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Mushroom Lovers: Sauté mushrooms with the bacon for an earthy depth of flavor.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken and bacon for smoked tofu or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Lighter Version: Use whole wheat pasta and substitute half of the Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: italian
Keywords: Chicken Carbonara, creamy pasta, easy Italian recipe, stovetop dinner, quick pasta recipe