Description
Creamy Chicken Carbonara is a comforting and delicious pasta dish featuring tender chicken, a silky sauce made from egg yolks, parmesan cheese, and cream, combined with savory pasta. Easy to prepare and perfect for family meals or special dinners, this recipe balances rich flavors with a smooth, velvety texture that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Protein
- Chicken breasts or thighs, diced into bite-sized pieces (about 1 lb)
- Pancetta or bacon (optional, about 4 oz)
Pasta
- Spaghetti or fettuccine (12 oz)
Carbonara Sauce
- Egg yolks (3 large)
- Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)
- Heavy cream or half-and-half (1/2 cup)
Flavorings & Seasonings
- Garlic cloves, minced (2-3 cloves)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, grated parmesan cheese, and heavy cream; set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, usually 1-2 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and set it aside.
- Brown the Chicken and Pancetta: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through. If using pancetta or bacon, add to the skillet and cook until crispy. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with chicken and pancetta. Quickly pour in the egg yolk, parmesan, and cream mixture and toss everything together vigorously. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce and ensure it coats the pasta smoothly without scrambling the eggs.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for color and freshness. Serve immediately while the dish is warm and creamy.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for a smooth, creamy sauce without clumps or scrambled bits.
- Work quickly off the heat when tossing pasta with sauce to prevent egg curdling.
- Reserve pasta water; its starch content helps achieve the perfect silky sauce consistency.
- Slice chicken uniformly for even cooking and better texture.
- Do not overcook pasta; al dente texture holds the sauce better and provides pleasant bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: Creamy Chicken Carbonara, Chicken Pasta, Carbonara Recipe, Italian Chicken Carbonara, Creamy Pasta, One-Pot Chicken Pasta