Creamy Chicken Bacon Carbonara Pasta
This creamy chicken bacon carbonara pasta is a quick, comforting dinner that combines smoky bacon, tender chicken, and a velvety sauce that clings to every noodle. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine (or gluten-free pasta)
- 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 8 oz), cut into bite-size pieces
- 6 slices bacon (about 5 oz), chopped
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 9–11 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving about 2 tablespoons bacon fat in the pan.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to the skillet if needed. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside with bacon.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up any brown bits.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and a generous pinch of black pepper.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet with garlic. Immediately add cooked chicken and bacon. Toss to distribute evenly.
- Remove skillet from heat. Pour the egg/cream/cheese mixture over the hot pasta, tossing quickly with tongs to coat. Add reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce is creamy and silky (about 1/3–1/2 cup).
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan and crisp the bacon well. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Remove skillet from heat before adding the egg mixture to prevent scrambling. Gluten-free pasta or dairy-free substitutions can be used as needed. Leftovers can be reheated gently with a splash of milk or water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe (approx. 2 cups pasta with sauce and protein)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: carbonara, creamy pasta, chicken bacon pasta, weeknight dinner, easy pasta, comfort food, Italian, quick dinner, family meal, creamy chicken pasta