Description
This Best Ever Chicken Carbonara is a creamy, savory Italian-inspired pasta dish that combines crispy bacon, juicy chicken, garlic, and parmesan in a luscious sauce. It’s fast, comforting, and perfect for weeknights or special dinners.
Ingredients
12 oz spaghetti
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 chicken breasts, diced
Salt and black pepper, to taste
6 slices bacon, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 large eggs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the spaghetti until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet. Season diced chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Turn off heat.
4. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
5. Add the hot, drained pasta to the skillet with bacon and garlic. Quickly pour in the egg and cheese mixture, tossing vigorously to coat the pasta and create a creamy sauce (off the heat). Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired creaminess.
6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss everything together. Top with chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Always turn off the heat before adding the egg mixture to prevent scrambling.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce texture.
If reheating, add a splash of milk or water to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 225mg
Keywords: chicken carbonara, creamy pasta, bacon and chicken pasta