This Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara is a creamy, cheesy, and ultra-satisfying pasta dish. With crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and a rich Parmesan-egg sauce, it’s a perfect comfort food that’s easy to make. The combination of savory flavors and textures makes this dish irresistible and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Carbonara Sauce:
2 large eggs + 2 egg yolks
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta:
8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
4 slices bacon or pancetta, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup reserved pasta water
Fresh parsley & extra Parmesan for garnish
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Cook the Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
Season the chicken with garlic powder and black pepper.
Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cook the Pasta:
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
Make the Sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, Parmesan, and black pepper. Set aside.
Crisp the Bacon & Garlic:
In the same pan, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Sauté garlic in the bacon drippings for 30 seconds.
Combine Everything:
Reduce heat to low, then add the hot pasta to the pan.
Quickly toss in the egg-Parmesan mixture, stirring constantly.
Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until creamy.
Stir in the chicken and crispy bacon.
Serve & Enjoy!
Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, smoky, and cheesy goodness!
Servings and Timing
This recipe serves about 4 people. It takes around 30 minutes to prepare and cook, making it a quick and satisfying dinner option.
Variations
Pancetta: If you want a more authentic Italian flavor, you can swap the bacon for pancetta.
Vegetarian: For a vegetarian option, try using mushrooms or roasted vegetables in place of the chicken and bacon.
Creamy Carbonara: If you want a richer sauce, you can add a splash of heavy cream to the egg mixture.
Spicy Carbonara: For some heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or the bacon drippings.
Storage/Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place the pasta in a pan over low heat and add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to help loosen the sauce. Stir until heated through.
FAQs
Can I make Chicken Carbonara ahead of time?
It’s best to make Chicken Carbonara fresh to maintain the creaminess of the sauce. However, you can cook the chicken and pasta in advance, then combine everything and make the sauce when you're ready to eat.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes! While Parmesan is traditional, you can experiment with other hard cheeses like Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste or Gruyère for a milder flavor.
Is this recipe spicy?
No, this recipe isn’t spicy, but you can add red pepper flakes or some hot sauce to give it a little kick if you prefer.
Can I freeze Chicken Carbonara?
It’s not recommended to freeze carbonara due to the creamy egg-based sauce. The texture might change when frozen and reheated.
What can I substitute for eggs in the sauce?
You can use heavy cream or a non-dairy substitute to make a creamy sauce, though it won’t have the same egg-based richness.
Conclusion
This Chicken Carbonara is a rich, creamy pasta dish that hits all the right notes – savory, cheesy, and indulgent. The combination of crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and a silky egg-Parmesan sauce makes it a crowd-pleaser for any dinner table. Whether you follow the recipe as is or add your own twist, it’s sure to become a favorite.
Recipe:
Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara is a creamy, cheesy pasta dish with crispy bacon, tender chicken, and a rich egg-Parmesan sauce. Ideal for a cozy weeknight dinner or special occasion, it's indulgent, satisfying, and easy to make.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
For the Carbonara Sauce:
2 large eggs + 2 egg yolks
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ tsp black pepper
For the Pasta:
8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
4 slices bacon or pancetta, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup reserved pasta water
Fresh parsley & extra Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
-
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken with garlic powder and black pepper.
- Cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.
-
Cook the Pasta:
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
-
Make the Sauce:
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, Parmesan, and black pepper. Set aside.
-
Crisp the Bacon & Garlic:
- In the same pan, cook bacon until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Sauté garlic in the bacon drippings for 30 seconds.
-
Combine Everything:
- Reduce heat to low, then add the hot pasta to the pan.
- Quickly toss in the egg-Parmesan mixture, stirring constantly.
- Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until creamy.
- Stir in the chicken and crispy bacon.
-
Serve & Enjoy!
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the creamy, smoky, and cheesy goodness!
Notes
This dish can be adjusted with variations like pancetta instead of bacon for an authentic Italian taste or mushrooms for a vegetarian version. For extra richness, you can add a splash of cream to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
