Description
Rich and comforting chicken carbonara delivers classic Italian flavors with tender pasta and crispy pancetta. Parmesan cheese and silky sauce make this dish perfect for home cooks seeking restaurant-quality meals you can easily prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4 strips bacon
- 300 g spaghetti
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain thoroughly and reserve a small amount of cooking water.
- Render bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden, about 5-6 minutes, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- In the same skillet with bacon drippings, sauté chicken pieces over medium-high heat until they develop a rich golden color and reach an internal temperature of 165°F, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Whisk eggs vigorously with grated Parmesan, heavy cream, cracked black pepper, and a delicate pinch of salt until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Sauté minced garlic in the skillet for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Reintroduce crispy bacon and cooked chicken to the skillet, then add drained pasta.
- Immediately remove skillet from heat and rapidly pour egg mixture over pasta, continuously tossing to create a silky, luxurious sauce without curdling the eggs.
- If sauce seems too thick, incorporate a splash of reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan, then serve piping hot directly from the skillet.
Notes
- Prevent egg scrambling by removing the skillet from heat before adding the egg mixture, ensuring a silky smooth sauce.
- Use room temperature eggs to help them blend more evenly and reduce the risk of curdling when mixed with hot ingredients.
- Grate fresh Parmesan cheese for a more robust flavor compared to pre-packaged alternatives, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt, and use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon to reduce calories.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 850 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 55 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg