Chicken Bacon Carbonara Pasta Recipe

This creamy savory Chicken Bacon Carbonara Pasta is made with crispy bacon, tender chicken breasts, and ready in 30 minutes. The hot pasta gently cooks the egg and parmesan mixture into a glossy, rich sauce right in the pan. I make this whenever I need a comforting dinner fast.

Why This Classic Works

I used to scramble the eggs every time I tried making carbonara. Taking the pan completely off the heat before adding the egg mixture finally solved that problem.

Adding seared chicken turns a simple side dish into a filling main course. The bacon fat coats the chicken pieces and gives them an incredibly rich flavor.

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Chicken Bacon Carbonara Pasta Ingredients

• 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

How To Make Chicken Bacon Carbonara Pasta

1. Boil The Pasta: Cook the spaghetti in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. Fry The Bacon: Place chopped bacon in a large cold skillet and turn the heat to medium. Cook for 8 minutes until crispy, then remove and set aside.
3. Cook The Chicken: Add olive oil to the bacon fat in the skillet. Cook the diced chicken breast and garlic for 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through.
4. Mix The Sauce: Whisk the eggs, grated Parmesan, and black pepper together in a small bowl until smooth.
5. Combine And Coat: Remove the skillet from the heat entirely. Add the hot drained pasta, crispy bacon, and the egg mixture, tossing vigorously with a splash of pasta water until a creamy sauce forms.

Recipe Tips

• Grate your own cheese: Pre-packaged cheese contains anti-caking agents that will make your sauce grainy instead of smooth.
• Use room temperature eggs: Cold eggs bring down the temperature of the pasta too quickly and will not emulsify properly.
• Save the pasta water: This starchy water is crucial for thinning out the rich egg sauce without making it watery.

What To Serve With Chicken Bacon Carbonara

A simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the pasta perfectly. You can also serve it with garlic bread to soak up any leftover creamy sauce on the plate.

How To Store

Keep leftover carbonara in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it very gently in a skillet with a splash of water over low heat to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Freezing is not recommended.

FAQs

Can I use cream in carbonara?

Traditional carbonara relies purely on eggs and cheese for its creamy texture. Adding heavy cream masks the delicate flavors and makes the dish overly heavy.

Why did my sauce turn into scrambled eggs?

Your pan was likely too hot when you added the egg mixture. Always remove the skillet from the heat source completely before pouring in the eggs.

Can I use different pasta shapes?

Long pastas like linguine or bucatini work best for tossing and coating evenly. However, penne or rigatoni will still taste great if that is what you have.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550 kcal
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Cholesterol: 165mg
• Sodium: 680mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 45g
• Protein: 38g

Try More Recipes:

• Chicken Carbonara Pasta Recipe
• Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
• Chicken Broccoli Pasta Recipe