Craving a restaurant-worthy meal without the restaurant hassle? Say hello to Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara! It's quick enough for a weeknight, healthy enough to feel good about, and bursting with flavor that will have everyone asking for seconds. I promise, this isn't your average carbonara – it's a family favorite, tweaked and perfected over the years, and I can't wait to share it with you!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
My grandmother, Nonna Elena, taught me the secret to good food: simplicity and love. She always said, “The best dishes are made with what you have and shared with those you cherish." This Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara is a testament to that. I remember vividly her quickly whipping up pasta dishes after a long day and it always being the most comforting meal with my family. This recipe brings me back to those moments every time I make it, and I hope it brings the same warmth to your table. It’s a crowd-pleaser and it won’t take too much prep!
Ingredients
- Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pasta:
- 1 pound spaghetti (or your favorite pasta shape)
- Sauce:
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 ounces pancetta or bacon, diced
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the Chicken and Bacon: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook until chicken is cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Add the garlic and bacon and cook until the bacon is crisp (about 2-3 minutes).
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Everything: Drain the pasta well and add it to the skillet with the chicken and bacon. Remove from heat.
- Add the Sauce Carefully: Immediately pour the egg yolk mixture over the hot pasta and chicken. Toss quickly and continuously to coat the pasta. The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and create a creamy sauce (if the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency).
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and black pepper, as desired. Enjoy your Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara!
Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.1 pound spaghetti
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook until chicken is cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Add the garlic and bacon and cook until the bacon is crisp (about 2-3 minutes).1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 2 cloves garlic, 4 ounces pancetta or bacon
- In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, salt, and pepper.4 large egg yolks, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup heavy cream, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Drain the pasta well and add it to the skillet with the chicken and bacon. Remove from heat.1 pound spaghetti, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 4 ounces pancetta or bacon
- Immediately pour the egg yolk mixture over the hot pasta and chicken. Toss quickly and continuously to coat the pasta. The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and create a creamy sauce (if the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency).4 large egg yolks, 1 pound spaghetti, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and black pepper, as desired. Enjoy your Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara!1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper