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Chicken Carbonara

Chicken carbonara is a comforting recipe that looks impressive but comes together quickly. This easy version of a classic pasta dish combines chicken with a creamy sauce made from eggs and grated Parmesan cheese. Adding seasoned chicken makes this carbonara a complete one-pot recipe that entire family will enjoy. You can serve this tasty pasta dish any night of the week!

close up shot of cooked chicken carbonara in with a silver spoon

Ingredients For Chicken Carbonara

  • Spaghetti Noodles
  • Chicken Breast
  • Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Bacon
  • Garlic
  • Seasonings: salt, pepper
collage of ingredients to make chicken carbonara

How To Make Easy Chicken Carbonara

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the rest of water and and return the cooked pasta to the pot.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy to your liking. Remove the bacon and set aside. Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving enough to cook the chicken.
  3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the skillet. Cook the chicken until no longer pink. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Turn off the heat. 
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese. Pour mixture into the skillet with the chicken. Add the cooked pasta and the bacon. Toss until all the food is coated. Add the pasta water by the tablespoon until the sauce is creamy to your liking. Cook on low a few minutes until heated through. 
egg, grated Parmesan & pasta water mixed in a bowl

What Is Chicken Carbonara

Chicken carbonara is a classic pasta dish that combines chicken and thin pasta noodles with a creamy sauce made from eggs and grated Parmesan cheese. Carbonara is similar to an alfredo sauce but however there is a big difference. Alfredo sauce usually includes butter and heavy cream while a carbonara sauce is raw eggs, grated cheese, and pasta sauce.

FAQs & Tips

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 
  • Adjust the sauce. The heat from the pasta will thicken the sauce, resulting in a creamy coating on the pasta. Add more or less pasta water until the sauce is creamy to your liking.

Pasta Recipes

close up shot of cooked chicken carbonara in with a silver spoon
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5 from 1 vote

Chicken Carbonara

Chicken carbonara is a comforting recipe that looks impressive but comes together quickly. This easy version of a classic pasta dish combines chicken with a creamy sauce made from eggs and grated Parmesan cheese. Adding seasoned chicken makes this carbonara a complete one-pot recipe that entire family will enjoy. You can serve this tasty pasta dish any night of the week!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 390kcal
Author Shannon Epstein

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces spaghetti
  • 3/4 pound chicken breasts, cut into cubes or sliced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 ounces bacon
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the rest of water and and return the cooked pasta to the pot.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy to your liking. Remove the bacon and set aside. Drain most of the bacon grease, leaving enough to cook the chicken.
  • Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add to the skillet. Cook the chicken until no longer pink. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute. Turn off the heat. 
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese. Pour mixture into the skillet with the chicken. Add the cooked pasta and the bacon. Toss until all the food is coated. Add the pasta water by the tablespoon until the sauce is creamy to your liking. Cook on low a few minutes until heated through. 

Nutrition

Calories: 390kcal
Recipe Rating