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Carbonara with Chicken and Bacon

Carbonara with Chicken and Bacon is easy, delicious, and quick, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfectly cooked spaghetti or linguine and crispy bacon are coated in a creamy egg, garlic and Parmesan sauce. 

This traditional carbonara dish makes a great lunch, dinner, or impressive and romantic date night meal for two.

Carbonara is an Italian pasta dish originally from Rome made with egg, hard cheese, guanciale or pancetta, and pepper.

a graphic of traditional Chicken Carbonara for Two.
Creamy Chicken Pasta Carbonara Recipe

The recipe is not fixed by a specific type of hard cheese or pasta. The cheese is usually Pecorino Romano. Spaghetti is the usual pasta, however, fettuccine, rigatoni, or linguine are also used.

Either guanciale or pancetta can be used. Another common substitute outside Italy is small strips or cubes of smoked bacon. Click to read more about Carbonara.

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How to make Chicken and Bacon Pasta Carbonara

Cook the spaghetti or linguine pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ¼ cup cooking water and drain the rest of the pasta.

While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the eggs and ⅓ cup of the parmesan cheese and set aside.

egg and parmesan whisked together in a bowl.

Cut the bacon into ½ or 1-inch pieces. In a large skillet, cook the bacon pieces until brown and crispy, about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Leave the grease in the pan and drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Click for a large 14-inch skillet.

bacon pieces frying in a large pan.

Dice the chicken into bite-sized cubes.

bonless chicken diced on a cutting board.

Add the garlic and chicken to the bacon grease in the skillet and cook through for about 7-10 minutes.

diced chicken and garlic cooking in a large pan.

Turn the heat off. Add the cooked pasta, egg parmesan cheese mixture, and bacon. Stir to combine, and keep the pasta moving. Pour in the reserved pasta water slowly, use only enough to reach the desired sauce consistency.

diced chicken, pasta, bacon, and parmesan sauce cooking in a large pan for this Chicken Carbonara recipe.
Carbonara Recipe for 2

Season the carbonara with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining ⅓ cup of Parmesan cheese and the parsley if desired. Click for a 2.5 Quart Porcelain Metro Serving Bowl.

Classic Chicken Carbonara in a white bowl with toast.
Traditional Chicken Carbonara Recipe

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Chicken Carbonara in a bowl.

Carbonara with Chicken and Bacon Recipe

Carbonara with Chicken and Bacon is easy, delicious, and quick, ready in just 20 minutes. Perfectly cooked spaghetti or linguine and crispy bacon are coated in a creamy egg, garlic and Parmesan sauce. Ready in 20 minutes!
4.55 from 11 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Chicken-Poultry
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2
Calories 688 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 oz pasta, spaghetti, linguine, etc.
  • 2 large eggs
  • cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided Do not use grated (powdered) cheese.)
  • 3 slices bacon
  • 2 cloves jarred minced garlic
  • 1 8 oz boneless chicken (diced)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Parsley (for garnish - optional)

Instructions
 

  • Cook the spaghetti or linguine pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ¼ cup cooking water and drain the rest of the pasta.
  • While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the eggs and ⅓ cup of the parmesan cheese and set aside.
  • Cut the bacon into ½ or 1 inch pieces. In a large skillet, cook the bacon pieces until brown and crispy, about 7-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Leave the grease in the pan and drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Dice the chicken into bite sized cubes. Add the garlic and chicken to the bacon grease in the skillet and cook through, about 7-10 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off. Add the cooked pasta, egg parmesan cheese mixture, and bacon. Stir to combine, keep the pasta moving. Pour in the reserved pasta water slowly, use only enough to reach the desired sauce consistency.
  • Season the carbonara with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining ⅓ cup of Parmesan cheese and the parsley if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 688kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 56gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 290mgSodium: 966mgPotassium: 759mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 549IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 441mgIron: 2mg
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Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I have a passion for recipes. I share recipes, tips, tricks, and resources to help you cook for two. Eat, drink, and enjoy!

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a bowl filled with Classic Chicken Carbonara.
20 minute Carbonara
4.55 from 11 votes (11 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Marianne

Wednesday 11th of September 2024

Is it good warmed over? I am making meals for my father so they’ll be packaged separately and refrigerated.

Zona House

Thursday 12th of September 2024

Hi Marianne, you can reheat carbonara.

Oven method - To keep it from drying out, you can add pasta sauce or a few drops of water. Put the pasta in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees F. for 15 – 20 minutes. For extra cheese, remove the foil and add more cheese on top.

Microwave method - Add a tablespoon of water to thin the sauce, microwave until warm (about 1 1/2 minutes depending on your microwave), and toss. Add more water if needed.

Anne S.

Monday 22nd of May 2023

I have used this recipe several times and it is always a hit at my house. I love that there are eggs and cheese instead of cream. Because if you do use cream, you will still have to add the cheese. And it’s an easy recipe for the quality! Yum yum yums all around.

Darlene

Sunday 17th of July 2022

Why can’t you use the grated cheese in the jar.

Zona

Sunday 17th of July 2022

Hi Darlene, grated or powdered Parmesan cheese (the kind in the green cylinder container) will not melt into the sauce like freshly grated (real) parmesan cheese.

Barbara Karr

Thursday 13th of September 2018

Add chicken and garlic to skillet. A skillet drained of bacon grease, OR add to grease??

Zona

Thursday 13th of September 2018

Hi Barbara. I leave the grease in the pan for this step. Thanks for the question and I'll update the directions to say this :)