Craving a comforting, date-night worthy meal that’s surprisingly easy to make? Look no further than this Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara recipe! This dish takes inspiration from the classic Italian (Roman) pasta dish, featuring creamy carbonara sauce with an added protein boost from tender, seasoned chicken.
A Creamy Carbonara Twist:
- Classic Comfort with a Twist: This recipe adds juicy, flavorful chicken to the classic carbonara, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both satisfying and familiar.
- Rich and Creamy: The carbonara sauce gets its luxuriously creamy texture from eggs, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of cream (optional).
- Easy Weeknight Hero: With readily available ingredients and a quick cooking time, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Beyond the Basics:
- Creamy or Classic: This recipe incorporates cream for an extra level of creaminess. Feel free to omit it for a more traditional, slightly lighter sauce.
- Pasta Versatility: Don’t have fettuccine? No worries! Spaghetti, bucatini, linguine, or capellini will all work beautifully in this recipe.
- Seasoning is Key: Don’t skimp on seasoning the chicken. The toasted pepper adds an irresistible depth of flavor.
Building Your Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara:
Ingredients:
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For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
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For the Creamy Carbonara Sauce:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
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For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces dried fettuccine (or spaghetti, bucatini, linguine, or capellini)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions:
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Season and Sauté the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
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Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions for al dente. Reserve approximately 1 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
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Whisk the Creamy Carbonara Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream (if using), salt, pepper, and fresh basil.
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Combine and Coat: Return the cooked pasta to the hot skillet (remove from heat). Immediately add the reserved pasta water and the creamy carbonara sauce mixture. Toss vigorously until the sauce coats the pasta evenly. If necessary, add a little more pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
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Finishing Touches: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and add them back to the pan with the pasta and sauce. Toss everything together to combine.
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Serve and Enjoy: Serve the creamy chicken carbonara immediately, garnished with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper, if desired.
Tips:
- To prevent the eggs from scrambling, ensure the pasta and pan are hot but not scorching hot when adding the sauce mixture.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a little more reserved pasta water to thin it out.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid overcooking the eggs.
Final Thoughts:
This Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara recipe is a testament to the power of simple, flavorful ingredients and a quick cooking method. The creamy sauce, juicy chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta come together to create a comforting and satisfying meal. So ditch the takeout menus and embrace the deliciousness of a homemade chicken carbonara!
