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Chicken Carbonara

Chicken Carbonara is a creamy Italian-inspired pasta dish combining tender chicken, crispy pancetta, and a rich egg-based sauce for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz spaghetti
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
  • 4 oz pancetta or bacon, diced
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the spaghetti in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente; drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add pancetta and cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  5. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with pancetta. Add drained pasta and toss to combine.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and quickly stir in the egg and cheese mixture, tossing rapidly to create a creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs; add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For an extra creamy texture, use freshly grated Parmesan and serve immediately; avoid reheating to prevent the sauce from curdling.