Description
A rich and creamy take on the classic Italian carbonara, this version features tender chicken and crispy bacon, perfect for a festive Christmas dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 ounces bacon, diced
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, cook the diced bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.
- Add the chicken pieces to the skillet with the bacon fat. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, Pecorino Romano cheese, and heavy cream. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add the drained spaghetti and cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss to combine.
- Gradually pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta and chicken, tossing constantly to coat. The heat from the pasta will cook the eggs and create a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
- Stir in most of the crispy bacon.
- Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining bacon and chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
- For a richer sauce, use all egg yolks instead of a mix of eggs and yolks.
- Adjust the amount of cheese to your preference.
- If you don’t have Pecorino Romano, Parmesan cheese can be substituted.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 300mg
Keywords: chicken carbonara, creamy chicken, bacon pasta, Christmas dinner, Italian pasta, comfort food