The Best Chicken Carbonara Recipe You’ll Ever Taste

Whipping up an irresistible best-ever chicken carbonara recipe promises pure culinary magic for pasta enthusiasts.

Authentic italian cuisine meets contemporary kitchen creativity in this delectable dish.

Creamy eggs, crisp pancetta, and tender chicken dance together in a symphony of flavors.

Each forkful delivers a rich, indulgent experience that transports you straight to rome’s charming trattorias.

Parmesan cheese melts luxuriously, creating a silky sauce that clings perfectly to al dente pasta.

Home cooks can easily master this classic recipe with a few simple techniques.

Prepare to impress everyone at your dinner table with this mouthwatering masterpiece that elevates comfort food to an art form.

Why This Chicken Carbonara Recipe Stands Out

• Speed Up Dinner Prep: Slice chicken into thin strips for rapid cooking and even heat distribution, making this dish a quick go-to meal for busy nights.
• Master Flavor Layering: Crisp pancetta and golden chicken create a rich, savory base while garlic adds depth, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy experience.
• Creamy Comfort Classic: Silky egg and cream sauce coats pasta perfectly, delivering a luxurious texture that turns an ordinary weeknight dinner into a memorable culinary moment.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cookware required means less cleanup, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-style meal without hours of kitchen work afterward.

What Goes into the Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that provides a hearty foundation for the carbonara.
• Pancetta: A rich, Italian cured pork that adds a deep, savory flavor to the dish.
• Eggs: Essential for creating the signature creamy sauce of carbonara.

• Parmesan Cheese: A sharp and salty cheese that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Heavy Cream: Contributes to the luxurious and smooth texture of the sauce.
• Whole Milk: Helps to balance and lighten the cream's richness.

• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings that provide depth and enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh herb that adds a pop of color and subtle freshness to the final dish.

• Pasta: A classic base that absorbs the creamy sauce and ties all the ingredients together.

Easy Steps to Make Creamy Chicken Carbonara

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Strips

Grab your chicken breasts and slice them into thin, elegant strips. This ensures they’ll cook evenly and quickly, giving you perfect bites every time.

Step 2: Crisp Up Pancetta

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in diced pancetta and let it sizzle until it turns golden and crispy, creating a flavor-packed base for your dish.

Step 3: Boost Flavor with Garlic

Sprinkle minced garlic into the skillet with the crispy pancetta. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to release its aromatic magic without burning.

Step 4: Cook Chicken to Perfection

Add your chicken strips to the skillet. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook until each piece turns a beautiful golden color and is completely cooked through.

Step 5: Boil Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil and cook your pasta until it reaches that perfect al dente texture.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce Base

• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Half of the parmesan cheese

Blend until smooth and silky.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Drain the pasta, but save a little pasta water. Return the hot noodles to the pot and quickly pour the egg mixture over them. Stir rapidly to create a luxurious, creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs.

Step 8: Bring Everything Together

Gently fold in the cooked chicken and pancetta, making sure every strand of pasta gets coated with deliciousness.

Step 9: Adjust Consistency

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to reach your ideal creamy texture.

Step 10: Final Touches

Shower the dish with the remaining parmesan cheese and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top. Serve piping hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy!

Helpful Tips for Chicken Carbonara That Shines

• Slice Chicken Evenly: Cut chicken breasts into thin, uniform strips to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent undercooked or overcooked pieces.
• Prevent Egg Scrambling: Remove pasta from heat before adding egg mixture and stir rapidly to create smooth, creamy sauce without scrambled eggs.
• Reserve Pasta Water: Keep 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help ingredients bind together perfectly.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate version of this classic dish.
• Balance Cream Ratio: Use a combination of heavy cream and whole milk to achieve a rich, velvety sauce without making the carbonara too heavy or dense.

Flavorful Spins on Chicken Carbonara to Try

• Spicy Southwest Carbonara: Replace pancetta with chorizo and add diced jalapeños for a fiery kick. Mix in some chili powder and cumin to enhance the southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Carbonara: Swap chicken for grilled shrimp and incorporate fresh basil, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes. Use feta cheese instead of parmesan for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Vegetarian Green Carbonara: Substitute chicken and pancetta with roasted zucchini, asparagus, and spinach. Use vegetable broth and extra cream to maintain the rich sauce texture.
• Smoky Bacon Carbonara: Replace pancetta with thick-cut smoked bacon and add a splash of bourbon for depth. Garnish with crispy bacon bits and green onions for extra crunch.

What Goes Well with Chicken Carbonara

• Elevate Flavor Fusion: Pair crisp, unoaked chardonnay with its buttery notes that complement the creamy carbonara sauce perfectly.
• Wine Harmony Boost: Select a light-bodied Italian red like Chianti Classico, whose acidic profile cuts through the rich, fatty chicken and pancetta.
• Refreshing Palate Cleanser: Match with a bright, zesty arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's heaviness and provide fresh contrast.
• Bread Companion Choice: Serve alongside crusty ciabatta or focaccia to soak up the luxurious sauce and add textural variety to your meal.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Chicken Carbonara

• Store leftover chicken carbonara in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer portions to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for maximum 2 months. The creamy sauce might slightly separate upon thawing.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or pasta water to restore creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain sauce quality.
• Keep carbonara refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking. Check for any unusual odors or discoloration before consuming leftovers.

Chicken Carbonara FAQs You’ll Appreciate

• Why use pancetta in this carbonara?

Pancetta adds a rich, salty flavor that traditional bacon can’t match. It provides a more authentic Italian taste and creates a deeper, more complex taste profile for the dish.

• How do I prevent eggs from scrambling when making the sauce?

Quickly mix the egg mixture into hot pasta off the direct heat, stirring constantly. The residual heat gently cooks the eggs, creating a smooth, creamy sauce without curdling.

• Can I substitute heavy cream with something lighter?

While heavy cream provides the richest texture, you can use half-and-half or whole milk. However, the sauce might be slightly less creamy and rich compared to the original recipe.

• What's the secret to perfectly cooked chicken in this recipe?

Slice chicken into uniform thin strips and cook over medium-high heat.

Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy, irresistible Chicken Carbonara delivers Italian comfort straight to hungry tables with classic Roman inspiration. Rich pancetta, tender chicken, and silky sauce promise a memorable dining experience that satisfies serious pasta cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Pasta:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 lb (454 g) spaghetti or linguine pasta

Dairy and Eggs:

• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (100 g) grated parmesan cheese
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) whole milk

Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:

• 6 oz (170 g) pancetta or bacon, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Slice chicken breasts into thin, uniform strips to ensure even cooking and quick preparation.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté diced pancetta until crispy and golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes.
3. Add minced garlic to the pancetta and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
4. Incorporate chicken strips into the skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and fully cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
6. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, and half of the parmesan cheese until smooth and well combined.
7. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water, and immediately return noodles to the hot pot.
8. Pour the egg and cream mixture over the hot pasta, quickly stirring to create a creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs.
9. Fold in the cooked chicken and pancetta, mixing gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
10. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
11. Sprinkle remaining parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley over the top before serving hot.

Notes

• Slice chicken uniformly to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Use high-quality pancetta for authentic flavor, substituting bacon works perfectly if pancetta is unavailable.
• Temper egg mixture carefully by gradually adding hot pasta water to prevent scrambling, creating silky smooth sauce.
• Low-carb option: Replace traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for reduced carbohydrate content.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 800
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 220 mg