Chicken Carbonara

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 chicken breasts, diced
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 200g (7 oz) bacon or pancetta, chopped
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 350g (12 oz) spaghetti or fettuccine
  • 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved from boiling)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta:
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain.
  2. Cook the chicken:
    Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. Cook the bacon:
    In the same skillet, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Make the sauce:
    In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, whole egg, and Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
  5. Combine:
    Return chicken to the skillet with the bacon. Add cooked pasta and toss. Remove from heat. Quickly pour in the egg mixture, stirring rapidly so the eggs don’t scramble. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir until creamy.
  6. Serve:
    Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

Let me know if you want a baked version or a dairy-free twist!

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