Description
Classic Chicken Carbonara combines tender sautéed chicken, crispy bacon, and al dente spaghetti tossed in a creamy Parmesan and egg sauce. This rich and satisfying Italian-inspired dish comes together quickly on the stovetop for a comforting dinner perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz spaghetti
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices bacon, diced
Sauce & Flavorings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon: In the same skillet, cook the diced bacon until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the bacon fat and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream until smooth and well combined.
- Combine Everything: Reduce the skillet heat to low. Return the cooked chicken and crispy bacon to the skillet, then add the drained spaghetti and toss everything together.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour the egg mixture over the pasta and quickly stir to coat the spaghetti evenly, creating a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed to loosen the sauce and achieve your desired consistency.
- Season and Garnish: Taste and add salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Carbonara immediately while warm and enjoy this comforting, creamy pasta dish.
Notes
- Be sure to stir the egg mixture quickly when combining with the pasta to prevent scrambling.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as pasta cools it tends to thicken.
- This dish is best served fresh and should not be reheated in a microwave to avoid curdling the sauce.
- For a lighter option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
