Description
A quick and delicious creamy chicken carbonara featuring tender sautéed chicken, crispy bacon, and a luscious Parmesan egg yolk sauce tossed with al dente pasta. This comforting Italian-inspired dish combines rich flavors with an easy stovetop cooking method, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices bacon or pancetta, chopped
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
Sauce
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings and Extras
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (for spicy kick)
- Peas, spinach, or asparagus (for extra veggies)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency later.
- Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken breast, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- Crisp the Bacon: In the same pan, add the chopped bacon or pancetta. Cook until crispy, then remove any excess fat, leaving just enough to enhance flavor.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and freshly grated Parmesan until smooth. Slowly drizzle in some of the reserved hot pasta water while whisking continuously to temper the eggs and create a silky sauce, preventing scrambling.
- Combine Everything: Return the cooked pasta to the pan with the bacon and chicken. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta and quickly stir to coat everything evenly. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy, luscious consistency.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the carbonara and adjust salt, pepper, or add extra Parmesan cheese as desired. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Serve immediately for the best flavor and creaminess.
Notes
- Be sure to temper the egg yolks with hot pasta water to avoid scrambling the eggs in the sauce.
- For extra vegetables, add peas, spinach, or asparagus when combining the ingredients.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and creamiest sauce.
- Serve immediately as the sauce thickens and clumps if left sitting too long.
- Adjust seasoning at the end carefully since Parmesan and bacon add saltiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
