Description
A rich and indulgent Creamy Chicken Carbonara featuring tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy carbonara sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this dish is quick, comforting, and full of flavor!
Ingredients
For the Pasta & Chicken:
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12–14 oz linguine or spaghetti
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2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized strips
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4 strips thick-cut bacon (or guanciale/pancetta), chopped into ½-inch pieces
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2 cloves garlic, finely grated
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1–2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
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Salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste
For the Carbonara Sauce:
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4 eggs (2 whole, 2 yolks only)
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¾ cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano
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â…“ cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
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Salt & fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine or spaghetti according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
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Cook the Chicken & Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the chicken strips until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Add the grated garlic and cook for an additional minute.
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Make the Carbonara Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, heavy cream (if using), salt, and pepper.
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Combine Everything: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the chicken and bacon. Pour the egg mixture over the hot pasta, tossing quickly to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
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Serve: Garnish with fresh basil, more cheese, and black pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
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For an extra creamy texture, add the optional heavy cream in the carbonara sauce.
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Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version.
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Be careful not to scramble the eggs when adding them to the hot pasta; work quickly to create a smooth sauce.
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You can replace bacon with pancetta or guanciale for a more authentic flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 4 servings)
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 170mg