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Creamy Chicken Carbonara

Creamy Chicken Carbonara
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Creamy Chicken Carbonara is a rich and comforting dinner featuring tender chicken, silky Parmesan and cream sauce, and perfectly cooked fettuccine or spaghetti. This recipe blends traditional carbonara flavors with added protein, making it a quick, satisfying, and indulgent meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless

Pasta

  • 8 ounces fettuccine or spaghetti

Sauce

  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Aromatics & Fats

  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

Seasoning

  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Set aside and let rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining; this starchy water helps bind the sauce later on.
  3. Make the Carbonara Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, grated Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and plenty of black pepper. This mixture forms the creamy base of the sauce.
  4. Sauté Garlic: In the skillet used for the chicken, add a little more olive oil or butter and lightly sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with garlic, tossing well to coat. Remove the pan from heat and quickly pour in the egg and cream mixture, stirring vigorously to create a silky, creamy sauce without scrambling the eggs. Gradually add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to reach your preferred sauce consistency.
  6. Finish with Chicken: Gently fold in the sliced chicken pieces and toss until everything is evenly coated with sauce and heated through. Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper.

Notes

  • Temper the eggs by slowly mixing in hot pasta water to avoid scrambling when combining with pasta.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting texture.
  • Don’t overcook the chicken to maintain moistness—remove from heat just as it’s cooked through.
  • Always mix the sauce with pasta off the heat to keep the eggs creamy and prevent scrambling.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Chicken Carbonara, carbonara, chicken pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, comfort food, Italian pasta

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/creamy-chicken-carbonara/