The Perfect Creamy Carbonara with Crispy Chicken & Bacon Recipe

Whipping up a delightful creamy carbonara with crispy chicken and bacon can transport you straight to the heart of italian comfort cuisine.

Pasta lovers rejoice with this irresistible combination of tender meat and silky sauce.

crispy bacon adds a delectable crunch that makes every bite memorable.

Rich egg yolks blend seamlessly with parmesan, creating a luxurious coating for perfectly cooked noodles.

Succulent chicken pieces elevate this classic dish into a hearty meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Each forkful promises a symphony of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

You’ll want to savor every single mouthwatering moment of this culinary adventure.

What’s To Love About Chicken Carbonara

• Indulge in a perfect balance of crunchy breaded chicken and silky smooth carbonara sauce that delivers ultimate satisfaction in every bite.
• Transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with straightforward cooking techniques that make you feel like a professional chef.
• Delight everyone at the dinner table with a crowd-favorite dish that combines familiar flavors of chicken, bacon, and pasta in one irresistible plate.
• Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting spices, swapping proteins, or modifying toppings to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.

Chicken Carbonara With Bacon Ingredient List

• Chicken Breasts: Protein-packed and crispy centerpiece of the dish.
• Spaghetti: Classic pasta base for the creamy sauce.
• Bacon: Adds smoky flavor and crispy texture.

• Flour, Panko Breadcrumbs: Creates a golden and crunchy chicken coating.
• Eggs: Helps breading stick to chicken and contributes to creamy sauce.

• Heavy Cream, Egg Yolks, Parmesan Cheese: Creates rich and silky carbonara sauce.
• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Adds depth and enhances overall flavor.
• Olive Oil: Used for frying chicken and preventing sticking.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for garnish and brightness.

How To Make Creamy Chicken Carbonara

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Chicken

Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.

Create a coating station with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs.

Carefully dredge each chicken breast through the flour, dip into eggs, and thoroughly coat with panko, ensuring complete coverage for maximum crispiness.

Step 2: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Gently place breaded chicken into hot oil and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side.

The chicken should develop a beautiful golden-brown crust and cook completely through.

Transfer to a plate and let rest.

Step 3: Cook Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

Add spaghetti and cook until perfectly al dente.

Before draining, carefully scoop out one cup of pasta water and set aside for later use.

Step 4: Crisp Bacon and Bloom Garlic

In the same skillet, cook chopped bacon until wonderfully crispy and releasing its rich flavor.

Add minced garlic and sauté briefly, creating an aromatic base for the sauce.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce Base

• Heavy cream
• Egg yolks
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Blend until smooth and well-incorporated.

Step 6: Combine Sauce Components

Reduce skillet heat to low.

Slowly pour cream mixture into bacon and garlic, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.

The sauce should become luxuriously smooth and creamy.

Step 7: Marry Pasta with Sauce

Add drained pasta directly into the skillet.

Gently toss to ensure every strand is beautifully coated.

Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, creating a silky texture.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Slice crispy chicken into elegant strips.

Plate pasta and top with chicken pieces.

• Extra crispy bacon bits
• Additional Parmesan cheese
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Chopped fresh parsley

Enjoy your restaurant-quality carbonara!

Carbonara Tips With Chicken And Bacon

• Use Japanese panko breadcrumbs for extra crunchiness on chicken, ensuring a light and airy texture that stays crisp longer than traditional breadcrumbs.
• Always save pasta water before draining – this starchy liquid helps create a silky, smooth sauce and helps ingredients bind together perfectly.
• Keep sauce heat low when adding cream mixture to prevent eggs from scrambling, creating a luxuriously creamy carbonara without curdling.
• Cook bacon slowly and evenly to release maximum flavor, allowing rendered fat to enhance the overall sauce's richness and depth.
• Replace chicken with grilled shrimp or tofu for a different protein variation that maintains the dish's creamy, comforting essence.

Save And Reheat Chicken Carbonara Easily

• Store leftover carbonara in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring the chicken and pasta are completely cooled before sealing.
• Place carbonara in a microwave-safe dish. Add a splash of pasta water or cream to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until thoroughly warmed to 165°F.
• Gently reheat in a skillet over low heat. Add a little cream or pasta water to restore sauce's creamy texture. Stir continuously to prevent sticking and maintain sauce consistency.
• Cream-based sauces and breaded chicken do not freeze well. Texture and quality will significantly deteriorate, resulting in soggy pasta and rubbery chicken.

What Goes Well With Chicken Carbonara

• Pair Creamy Carbonara with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc provides a bright, acidic contrast to the rich, creamy pasta, cutting through the heaviness of the dish with its zesty citrus notes.
• Complement with Fresh Arugula Salad: A light, peppery salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette offers a refreshing counterpoint to the dense, cheesy carbonara, balancing the meal's richness.
• Match with Crisp Italian Pilsner: A clean, hoppy beer like Peroni cleanses the palate between bites, its light body and subtle bitterness enhancing the salty bacon and creamy sauce.
• Elevate with Roasted Garlic Bread: Crusty, herb-infused garlic bread provides a crunchy texture and additional flavor dimension, perfect for soaking up the luxurious carbonara sauce.

Twist Ideas For Chicken Carbonara

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed rice crackers. Swap regular flour with almond or rice flour for chicken coating. Use gluten-free spaghetti made from rice or corn.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with crispy tofu or tempeh. Replace bacon with smoked mushrooms or vegetarian bacon bits. Use plant-based Parmesan cheese and nutritional yeast for similar flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap spaghetti with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Use almond flour instead of regular flour for chicken coating. Reduce cream quantity and increase protein content by adding extra eggs.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace heavy cream with coconut cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. Select dairy-free milk for egg wash when coating chicken.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, while spaghetti is traditional, you can use fettuccine, linguine, or penne for similar results. Just ensure the pasta is cooked al dente.

• Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?

Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for the chicken and substitute regular flour with almond or rice flour to keep the recipe gluten-free.

• How can I prevent the egg yolks from scrambling?

Temper the cream mixture by adding a small amount of hot pasta water slowly while whisking constantly. This helps create a smooth, creamy sauce without curdling.

• Can I prepare the chicken ahead of time?

Absolutely! Cook the chicken earlier in the day, let it cool, and reheat it gently in the oven before serving to maintain its crispy texture.

Creamy Carbonara with Crispy Chicken & Bacon Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent carbonara meets crispy chicken and bacon in this mouthwatering Italian classic that elevates comfort food to new heights. Rich parmesan, silky eggs, and golden-brown protein create a luxurious pasta experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 6 strips bacon (chopped)
• 3 large egg yolks
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Breading Ingredients:

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Seasoning and Sauce Ingredients:

• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by seasoning with salt and pepper, then create a crispy coating by dredging in flour, dipping in beaten eggs, and rolling in panko breadcrumbs.
2. Fry the breaded chicken in olive oil at medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Let the chicken rest to maintain juiciness.
3. Cook spaghetti in generously salted water until perfectly al dente. Before draining, carefully set aside one cup of starchy pasta water.
4. Render bacon in a skillet until achieving a crisp, golden texture. Quickly introduce minced garlic and sauté for a brief 30-second interval to release aromatic flavors.
5. Create the luxurious sauce by whisking together rich heavy cream, silky egg yolks, and sharp Parmesan cheese in a separate mixing bowl.
6. Lower the skillet’s temperature to prevent curdling. Gradually incorporate the cream mixture into the bacon and garlic, stirring continuously to develop a smooth, creamy consistency.
7. Introduce the drained pasta directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure each strand is thoroughly coated. Adjust the sauce’s consistency by adding reserved pasta water as needed.
8. Slice the crispy chicken into elegant strips and arrange artfully over the pasta. Garnish with additional crisp bacon pieces, freshly grated Parmesan, cracked black pepper, and chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is pounded evenly to guarantee uniform cooking and crispy breading throughout.
• Use room temperature eggs when coating chicken to help breadcrumbs adhere better and create a crunchier exterior.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories without sacrificing creamy texture.
• Replace regular flour and panko with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs for those with dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 890
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 44 g
• Cholesterol: 250 mg