Transform your dinner routine with this irresistible Chicken Carbonara Recipe that brings restaurant-quality Italian cuisine right to your kitchen. This creamy pasta dish combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and al dente spaghetti in a silky sauce made with eggs, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, this chicken carbonara recipe takes just 30 minutes to prepare and always impresses.
The Story Behind Chicken Carbonara Recipe
While traditional carbonara is made with guanciale (cured pork cheek), this chicken variation adds a delicious twist to the Roman classic. The addition of chicken makes it more substantial and family-friendly while maintaining the signature creamy texture and rich flavors that make carbonara a beloved Italian dish. This version stays true to the authentic no-cream carbonara preparation method, relying instead on eggs and cheese for that signature silky sauce.
Jump to:
- The Story Behind Chicken Carbonara Recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions
- Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken Carbonara Recipe
- Equipment For Chicken Carbonara Recipe
- Storage Instructions
- Recipe Variations
- Grandma’s Peppery Secret: The Hidden Soul of Chicken Carbonara
- FAQ
- How Did Your Chicken Carbonara Recipe Turn Out?
- Related
- Pairing
- Chicken Carbonara Recipe
Ingredients
For 4 servings:
- Spaghetti
- Chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Bacon or pancetta, diced
- Eggs, room temperature
- Freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Garlic, minced
- Olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Prep Work
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, grated Pecorino Romano, and Parmesan cheese until well combined
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper
- Dice the bacon and mince the garlic
Cook the Pasta and Prepare the Sauce
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Add diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes
- Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pan
Cook the Chicken
- Add chicken pieces to the same pan with bacon fat
- Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant
- Return bacon to the pan and reduce heat to low
Combine and Create the Sauce
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining
- Transfer hot pasta directly to the pan with chicken and bacon
- Remove pan from heat
- Quickly toss pasta with chicken and bacon mixture
- Pour egg and cheese mixture over pasta, stirring constantly
- Add pasta water gradually while stirring until sauce reaches desired consistency
- Season with additional black pepper and salt to taste
Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken Carbonara Recipe
- Ensure eggs are at room temperature to prevent them from scrambling
- Never add the egg mixture while the pan is on direct heat
- Keep stirring constantly when adding the egg mixture
- Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-grated for better melting
- Reserve more pasta water than you think you'll need
Equipment For Chicken Carbonara Recipe
- Large pot for pasta
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Cheese grater
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs or pasta server
- Sharp knife and cutting board
Storage Instructions
Store leftover chicken carbonara in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or milk and heat gently over low heat, stirring frequently to restore the creamy texture.
Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian Version: Skip the chicken and bacon, use mushrooms sautéed in olive oil instead
- Lighter Option: Use turkey bacon and chicken breast, whole wheat pasta
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste
- Green Addition: Stir in peas or asparagus for added vegetables
Grandma’s Peppery Secret: The Hidden Soul of Chicken Carbonara
Every time I make this Chicken Carbonara Recipe, I hear my grandmother’s voice whispering her favorite secret: “The soul of carbonara is in the pepper.” She never rushed through this dish—she treated it like a little ritual. First, she would toast whole black peppercorns in a dry pan, letting the aroma bloom and fill the kitchen. Then, she’d crush them gently by hand just moments before adding them to the pasta. This tiny act added a depth of warmth and spice that made every bite unforgettable. She also had a trick for silky sauce—warming the eggs in their shells in hot water before cracking them. It’s a small, almost magical touch, but it transforms the whole dish into something richer, smoother, and full of love. That’s the kind of secret that turns a great recipe into a family treasure.
FAQ
What is chicken carbonara sauce made of?
Eggs, Parmesan, Pecorino, black pepper, and bacon fat—no cream needed.
The heat from the pasta creates the creamy texture for chicken carabonara recipe.
What is the golden rule of cooking a carbonara?
Don’t scramble the eggs!
Remove from heat, then stir in the egg mixture quickly and constantly.
What's the difference between chicken carbonara and chicken Alfredo?
Carbonara uses eggs and cheese; Alfredo uses cream and butter.
Carbonara is lighter and more traditional, Alfredo is richer.
What are the biggest carbonara mistakes?
Adding cream, scrambling eggs, using cold or pre-grated cheese.
Not saving pasta water is another common slip-up.
How Did Your Chicken Carbonara Recipe Turn Out?
We hope you enjoyed making this Chicken Carbonara Recipe as much as we enjoyed sharing it! Whether you're cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, this Chicken Carbonara Recipe brings creamy comfort and rich Italian flavor to your table every time.
Tried a unique twist? Let us know in the comments and leave a star rating! We love seeing how each Chicken Carbonara Recipe turns out in different kitchens. Share your version with a photo—it could inspire someone else's next favorite dinner!
Looking for more tasty dishes after this Chicken Carbonara Recipe? Check out these reader favorites:
Traeger Pulled Pork Recipe – perfect for BBQ lovers who crave juicy, smoky meat
Easy Chicken and Shrimp Recipe – a flavorful, protein-packed meal in under 30 minutes
Let this Chicken Carbonara Recipe be just the beginning of your cooking adventure. Stay hungry, stay creative, and keep coming back for more delicious inspiration!
Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Chicken Carbonara Recipe
Chicken Carbonara Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large pot For boiling pasta
- 1 Large skillet For cooking bacon and chicken
- 1 Cheese grater Use for freshly grating cheeses
- 1 Mixing bowls To whisk eggs and cheese
- 1 Tongs or pasta server For tossing and serving the pasta
- 1 Sharp knife For cutting chicken and bacon
- 1 Cutting board For prepping ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 lb Spaghetti Or other long pasta
- 2 Chicken breasts Cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 oz Bacon or pancetta Diced
- 4 Eggs Room temperature
- 1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese Freshly grated
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese Freshly grated
- 4 cloves Garlic Minced
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper Freshly ground
- Salt To taste
- Fresh parsley For garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente.
- Whisk eggs with Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- In olive oil, fry diced bacon or pancetta until crispy; remove and set aside.
- Add chicken to the bacon fat and cook until golden and fully cooked.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return bacon to pan, reduce heat, and add the drained hot pasta.
- Remove pan from heat and toss everything together quickly.
- Pour in egg-cheese mixture, stirring constantly; add pasta water gradually.
- Season with black pepper and salt to taste.
- Garnish with parsley and reserved bacon bits before serving.
Notes
- Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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