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Simple, tasty recipes with a healthy twist

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Home » Food » Chicken Carbonara

Chicken Carbonara

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Chicken Carbonara with label text
Chicken Carbonara with label text
Chicken Carbonara with label text

Chicken carbonara is a classic Italian meal that you can make yourself at home, and it is creamy and delicious! It will quickly become one of your family’s most requested dinners.

styled chicken carbonara in a pan shot closeup

I love showing y’all how to make popular restaurant favorites at home. And this chicken carbonara feels extra special, like it would be perfect for family birthdays or inviting friends over.

It is such a delicious and decadent dish! This recipe is definitely on the rich side and one that our family would use for more of a special occasion.

What is chicken carbonara?

Carbonara is an Italian pasta dish from Rome made with eggs, hard cheese, bacon or pancetta, and black pepper. Many variations add chicken, which is what is included in this recipe.

How to make chicken carbonara

First, gather your ingredients.

Ingredients

For tastiest results, always use the best quality ingredients you have access to.

Ingredients with label text on white surface

To make this chicken carbonara recipe, you will need the following:

  • linguine pasta
  • salt and pepper
  • eggs
  • parmesan cheese
  • half and half (or heavy cream)
  • bacon (or pancetta)
  • garlic
  • chicken breast
  • fresh basil

I highly suggest linguine for this recipe. In a pinch though, you can use a spaghetti or pasta cut of your choice. You can also sub pancetta for the bacon.

Preparation 

Here is how you can make chicken carbonara pasta at home. First, cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook it until it is al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before you strain the pasta. 

Then combine the eggs, half and half, parmesan cheese, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a medium bowl and whisk thoroughly and set aside.

combining eggs and basil in clear bowl

Next, add the bacon to a large nonstick or cast iron pan on medium heat and cook it until it is slightly crispy and cooked through.

cooking bacon in a pan pieces with wooden spoon

Then transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain the excess fat. Leave all of the bacon grease in the pan. 

In the same pan you cooked the bacon in, add the minced garlic and cook it for 1 minute then add the sliced chicken to the skillet and toss it in the bacon grease and garlic. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

cooking chicken pieces in bacon grease in a pan

Place the bacon back into the skillet.

chicken and bacon pieces cooked in a pan

Add the linguine and toss it in with the chicken and bacon.

tongs holding cooked pasta

Turn the burner down to low and let the skillet cool for 2-3 minutes. This will prevent the eggs from scrambling once you add them to the pan. 

Add the egg mixture to the skillet and toss it in with the pasta and chicken until everything is fully incorporated, about 2 minutes.

pouring egg mixture into chicken carbonara pasta

Any longer and the eggs will turn to scrambled eggs. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until the sauce is nice and creamy, if needed.

Chicken Carbonara in a big pan

Garnish and serve

Serve immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and the fresh basil. And dig in!

I mean, how pretty is this chicken carbonara?! Strong visual game indeed.

Chicken Carbonara on a white plate with fork

What is the best way to store and reheat chicken carbonara leftovers?

Store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. The most convenient way to reheat is in the microwave. You could opt to reheat on the stovetop. You will need to add a splash of water (2 to 3 Tablespoons), and heat on medium low until heated through, stirring frequently.

You can also freeze chicken carbonara in an airtight container for up to three months. Fully thaw, and then reheat using either the microwave or stovetop option above.

Similar recipes you may enjoy

If you like the looks of this chicken carbonara recipe, you may also like some of my other Italian-inspired recipes:

  • Tortellini pasta salad
  • Classic Baked Ziti
  • Shrimp scampi linguine
  • Pasta primavera
  • Chicken pesto pasta
  • Pasta e fagioli soup
  • Chicken pasta bake
  • Tortellini soup

Did you try this recipe?

Give it a star rating. Pin it and share it if it looks good to you. And be sure and stay connected on social media! 

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Chicken Carbonara in a pan shot from the side
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Chicken Carbonara

Chicken carbonara is a classic Italian meal that you can make yourself at home. It will quickly become one of your family's most requested dinners.

Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Keyword chicken carbonara, chicken carbonara recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 5
Calories 558 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces linguine pasta
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 eggs large
  • ¾ cup shredded parmesan cheese – plus more for topping
  • ⅓ cup half and half or heavy cream
  • 4 bacon strips raw, cut into pieces
  • 2-3 cloves garlic – peeled and minced
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breast 5 to 6 ounces – trimmed and cut into long strips
  • ½ cup basil chopped or torn – for garnish
  • More salt and pepper to taste if needed

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta and cook it until it is al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before you strain the pasta.
  2. Then combine the eggs, half and half, parmesan cheese, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a medium bowl and whisk thoroughly and set aside.
  3. Next, add the bacon to a large nonstick or cast iron pan on medium heat and cook it until it is slightly crispy and cooked through. Then transfer the bacon to a paper towel lined plate to drain the excess fat. Leave all of the bacon grease in the pan.
  4. In the same pan you cooked the bacon in, add the minced garlic and cook it for 1 minute then add the sliced chicken to the skillet and toss it in the bacon grease and garlic. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook until the chicken is fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  5. Place the bacon back into the skillet, add the linguine and toss it in with the chicken and bacon. Turn the burner down to low and let the skillet cool for 2-3 minutes. This will prevent the eggs from scrambling once you add them to the pan.
  6. Add the egg mixture to the skillet and toss it in with the pasta and chicken until everything is fully incorporated, about 2 minutes. Any longer and the eggs will turn to scrambled eggs. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until the sauce is nice and creamy, if needed.
  7. Serve immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and the fresh basil.

Recipe Notes

Nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using a recipe nutrition label generator.

Nutrition Facts
Chicken Carbonara
Amount Per Serving
Calories 558 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 191mg64%
Sodium 925mg40%
Potassium 482mg14%
Carbohydrates 62g21%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 33g66%
Vitamin A 525IU11%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 230mg23%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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  4. Mushroom Chicken (with homemade cream of mushroom)
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Comments

  1. Kathy Soule says

    June 3, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    I chose just to use bacon. With the price of chicken, sky high. Will use chicken breasts when the price of chicken, returns to Normal!

    Reply

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I am a home cook, recipe developer, coffee drinker, wife and mom of two. My recipes are simple and tasty. I enjoy lots of fresh, healthy food, plus full treats without guilt. Thanks so much for stopping by! Read more here.

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