I love making pasta because it’s super quick to prepare and always a favorite at the dinner table. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a casual dinner with friends, you can’t go wrong with a pasta dish.
I’m a sucker for creamy, heartwarming pasta recipes like Creamy Beef Pasta, Chicken Alfredo, or Marry Me Chicken Pasta. And let me tell you, our easy Creamy Chicken Carbonara Pasta holds its own.
It’s the kind of pasta recipe that feels like a warm hug after a long day, and I promise, you’ll want to make it again and again.
Why This Recipe Will Win Your Heart
- Creamy Comfort: The rich, creamy Parmesan sauce adds a comforting and luxurious touch to every bite, making it the ultimate comfort food.
- Quick: With just a few basic ingredients and simple steps, you can have a delicious meal on the table in just 30 minutes.
- Family Favorite: The combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy sauce is sure to be a hit with everyone at the dinner table.
- One-Pot Wonder: This recipe is made using just one skillet and one pot, which means easy prep and even easier cleanup!
- Customizable: Make it your own by adding veggies, extra spices, or swapping the chicken for another protein you love.
- Kid-Friendly: The creamy sauce and crispy bacon are usually a hit with kids, making it a great go-to family meal.
- Perfect for Leftovers: The flavors only get better the next day, so it’s perfect for easy, reheatable leftovers that taste just as amazing.
What Is Carbonara Chicken?
Carbonara Chicken is a tasty twist on classic Carbonara, featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs cooked until juicy and covered in a rich, creamy sauce. Made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, the sauce is smooth and flavorful. Crispy bacon bits add a savory crunch, and a hint of garlic gives it extra depth.
This dish is easy to make and perfect for a comforting dinner. It uses simple ingredients to create a meal that feels special and satisfying. Enjoy it with your favorite sides or on its own for a hearty, delicious meal.
Ingredients Needed
- Spaghetti: I love using long pasta like spaghetti for this recipe because it really holds the creamy sauce well. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can switch things up with fettuccine, linguine, or even bucatini for a heartier bite.
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are my go-to, but if you prefer something juicier, chicken thighs work great too, and add even more flavor.
- Bacon: Regular bacon gives you the best flavor and crispiness, but if you want to make this dish more authentic, try using guanciale or pancetta instead.
- Garlic: Feel free to use more or less, depending on how much you like garlic.
- Onion: I like to finely chop the onion and sauté it until it’s translucent to add a sweet, savory base to the sauce. If you want a milder flavor, try using shallots instead.
- Salt & Pepper: Just season to taste! I usually start with a little and add more as needed, especially since the bacon or guanciale can be quite salty on its own.
- Parmesan: Stirring freshly grated Parmesan into the warm sauce helps it melt perfectly. For a more authentic Carbonara vibe, you can use Pecorino Romano—it’s a bit saltier and tangier, which is delicious.
- Heavy Cream: I always go for full-fat heavy cream to make the sauce rich and creamy. If you’re looking to lighten things up, you can use half-and-half, but just know the sauce won’t be quite as creamy.
- Cornstarch: This is great for thickening the sauce. Just mix it with a little water to make a slurry before adding it in—this keeps it nice and smooth without any lumps.
Instructions
Cook the Bacon
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the chopped bacon. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s crispy and browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess grease—this keeps the bacon nice and crispy.
Prepare the Chicken
While the bacon is cooking, season the chicken breast bites with salt and pepper to taste. If there’s not enough bacon fat left in the skillet, add a little oil to keep things from sticking.
Heat the skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken. Cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
Cook the Pasta
Fill a large pot with plenty of water and bring it to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to season the water.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until it’s al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
Drain the pasta in a colander, but don’t forget to save about ½ cup of the cooking water—you might need it to adjust the sauce later. Set the drained pasta aside.
Make the Sauce
Using the same skillet, add a bit of oil if needed and heat over medium. Toss in the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally to keep the cream smooth.
To thicken the sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir this into the simmering cream and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Finally, add the grated Parmesan, stirring constantly until it’s fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Combine Everything
Add the cooked bacon and chicken to the skillet with the creamy sauce, stirring to combine. Next, add the cooked spaghetti, gently tossing to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually stir in some of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Serve
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the Chicken Carbonara immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if you like. Enjoy this creamy, delicious dish while it’s hot!
Essential Tips for Success
- Choose the Right Pasta: For the best texture, use high-quality spaghetti or other long pasta like fettuccine or linguine.
- Cook Al Dente: Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente—firm to the bite. This helps it hold up better with the creamy sauce.
- Perfectly Cook the Bacon: Cook the bacon until it’s crisp but not burnt. Crispy bacon adds texture and flavor to the dish.
- Avoid Overcooking the Chicken: Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s tender and juicy. Avoid overcooking, which can make it dry.
- Use Pasta Water: If the sauce becomes too thick, add some reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency. The starchy water helps the sauce adhere to the pasta.
- Avoid Overheating the Cream: Heat the cream over medium heat and avoid boiling it. Boiling can cause the cream to curdle, affecting the sauce’s smoothness.
Troubleshooting
- If the sauce is too thin: Thicken it by adding a cornstarch slurry or simmering it longer. Avoid boiling the cream.
- If the sauce is too thick: Loosen it with some reserved pasta water. Keep an eye on the consistency of the sauce as it cooks.
- If the chicken is dry: Ensure you cook it to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and let it rest before slicing.
- If the Parmesan doesn’t melt smoothly: Use freshly grated Parmesan and add it to the warm sauce, stirring well.
- If the pasta is sticking together: Toss it with a bit of olive oil or mix in some reserved pasta water.
Storing Ideas
Separate the Sauce: If possible, store the pasta and sauce separately. This helps maintain the sauce’s creamy texture when reheating, as it can sometimes thicken too much when stored mixed with pasta.
Add a Splash of Milk or Cream When Reheating: When reheating, add a splash of milk, cream, or even reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce and bring back its creamy consistency.
Fridge: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Ensure they are cooled to room temperature before storing them. It can typically be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Freezer: The leftovers can be frozen for longer storage. Place them in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags and store them in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Ultimate Creamy Chicken Carbonara Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp salt divided
- ½ tsp pepper divided
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 6 strips bacon chopped
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water for cornstarch slurry
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- While the bacon is cooking, season the chicken breast pieces with half of the salt and pepper.
- In the same skillet used for the bacon (drain excess bacon fat if needed), add a little oil and cook the chicken over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until fully cooked and golden brown.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt, then cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.
- In the same skillet used for the bacon and chicken, add a little oil if needed, and sauté the chopped onion over medium heat until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
- Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to create a slurry. Stir this into the simmering cream to thicken the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring until melted and combined.
- Add the cooked bacon and chicken to the sauce. Stir to combine and heat through.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing well to coat the pasta with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
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