Description
Sinful Italian classic Creamy Chicken Carbonara delivers rich Roman comfort with silky pasta and tender chicken. Parmesan-kissed sauce and crispy pancetta create a perfect harmony you’ll crave after one delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
- 4 oz (115g) bacon, diced
- 3 large eggs
Pasta and Dairy:
- 12 oz (340g) spaghetti or fettuccine
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook until achieving a tender yet firm texture, commonly known as al dente. Before straining, carefully extract and reserve a portion of the starchy cooking liquid.
- Warm olive oil in a generously sized skillet over moderate heat. Introduce diced chicken pieces and sauté until they acquire a golden-brown exterior and are thoroughly cooked through. Transfer the perfectly prepared chicken to a separate plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to render bacon until achieving a delightfully crisp texture. Remove the bacon and allow excess grease to drain on absorbent paper towels, preserving approximately one tablespoon of the flavorful rendered fat.
- In a mixing bowl, vigorously whisk eggs, finely grated Parmesan, and rich cream until smoothly incorporated. Season with a judicious amount of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Reduce the skillet’s temperature to a gentle low setting. Introduce the cooked pasta to the residual bacon fat, ensuring each strand becomes delicately coated.
- Gradually cascade the egg mixture over the pasta, continuously agitating to prevent undesirable egg scrambling. Incrementally incorporate the reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, luxurious sauce consistency.
- Reintroduce the previously cooked chicken and crisp bacon fragments into the skillet. Gently fold ingredients together, allowing them to warm and meld harmoniously.
- Transfer the steaming carbonara onto awaiting plates. Embellish with additional Parmesan shavings, a liberal grinding of black pepper, and a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately for optimal flavor and temperature.
Notes
- Use high-quality Parmesan cheese for a rich, authentic flavor that elevates the entire dish.
- Temper eggs carefully by slowly adding hot pasta water to prevent scrambling, creating a silky smooth sauce.
- Pat chicken and bacon dry before cooking to ensure perfect golden-brown crispy texture that adds incredible depth.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg