Print

Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara is a rich, creamy pasta dish that combines tender chicken, crispy turkey bacon, and a luscious Parmesan-egg sauce. This Italian-inspired recipe takes the traditional carbonara and elevates it by adding chicken, making it heartier and even more satisfying. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Gather these ingredients for your Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara:

  • 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 slices turkey bacon, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • Salt, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:

  1. Boil the Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Add the spaghetti or fettuccine and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

Prepare the Sauce:

  1. Whisk the Eggs and Parmesan: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, grated Parmesan, and black pepper until smooth. If using heavy cream, whisk it in as well.

Cook the Chicken and Bacon:

  1. Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces, season with a pinch of salt, and cook until golden and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the Turkey Bacon: In the same skillet, cook the chopped turkey bacon until crispy. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Combine Everything:

  1. Add the Pasta to the Skillet: Toss the drained pasta in the skillet with the turkey bacon and garlic.
  2. Stir in the Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat and quickly stir in the egg-Parmesan mixture, tossing to coat the pasta. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.
  3. Add the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss everything together.

Serve:

  1. Garnish: Sprinkle with additional Parmesan, chopped parsley, and a pinch of black pepper before serving.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://succulentrecipes.com/best-ever-chicken-carbonara/