Chicken Carbonara
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
25 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
774 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Italian
Chicken Carbonara
Description
Chicken Carbonara features diced crispy bacon and cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts alongside spaghetti pasta. The sauce is prepared by whisking egg yolks, whole eggs, and freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese, then combining it with hot, starchy pasta water to gently cook the eggs, forming a smooth and creamy coating for the spaghetti and protein. The pasta water helps temper the sauce to avoid scrambling while giving it a silky texture.
After cooking the bacon to crispness and searing the chicken seasoned simply with salt and pepper, the meat is diced or shredded for mixing into the pasta. Freshly ground black pepper is added to finish the dish. The method relies on residual heat rather than direct cooking to achieve the proper sauce consistency.
Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor, as the sauce thickens once cooled. Garnishing with chopped fresh parsley can add a subtle freshness if desired. This dish is a hearty main course suitable for dinner.
The notes address concerns about raw eggs in the sauce, explaining that the heat from the pasta and pasta water cooks the eggs. For extra caution, mixing everything in the skillet over medium heat for a couple of minutes is suggested, but typically the residual heat is sufficient.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound Bacon or diced pancetta, thick cut slices
- 2 chicken breast about 1 pound, boneless skinless
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 4 large egg yolk
- 2 whole egg
- 1 1/2 cups Pecorino Romano cheese divided, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons parsley to garnish (optional, chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Dice 1 pound thick cut bacon slices. Heat a 12-inch skillet or 3 to 4-quart braiser over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp, about 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the grease in the skillet.
- Season 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add chicken to the skillet directly in the bacon grease. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from pan and dice or shred.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and season with 1 tablespoon salt. Cook 1 pound spaghetti according to package directions. Use a liquid measuring cup to reserve 1 1/2 cups of the pasta water and set it aside before draining.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 4 large egg yolks, 2 whole eggs, and 1 cup of the grated pecorino romano cheese.
- Toss the drained pasta with cooked bacon and chicken in the skillet. Pour in the egg mixture and reserved pasta water, and toss together with the pasta for 2 minutes.
- Serve hot, topped with remaining cheese, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley to garnish.
Notes
- The heat from the freshly cooked pasta and reserved pasta water sufficiently cooks the egg-based sauce without scrambling.
- If concerned about undercooked eggs, briefly heat the combined pasta and sauce mixture in a skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes while stirring.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 774 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 774kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 37g | 74% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 224mg | 75% |
| Sodium | 2212mg | 92% |
| Potassium | 504mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 422IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 307mg | 31% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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