Description
This Best Chicken Carbonara Recipe combines tender grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy Parmesan sauce tossed with bowtie pasta, creating a rich and comforting Italian-inspired dish perfect for any dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 5 strips bacon, cooked and diced
- 2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
Dairy
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup Parmesan shavings
Pasta & Grains
- 1 small box bowtie pasta (approximately 12 ounces)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Pantry
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: In a pan over medium heat, cook 5 strips of bacon until crisp. Remove, drain excess fat on paper towels, and dice the bacon. Set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Season 2 chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In the same or another pan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts until fully grilled through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Slice into strips and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add bowtie pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the pan, sauté 3 cloves of freshly minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add milk, heavy cream, chicken broth, and flour to the pan, whisking continuously until smooth. Reduce heat to low and cook the sauce, stirring often, until it thickens to coating consistency, about 5-7 minutes. If too thick, add additional chicken broth to loosen.
- Add Cheese & Herbs: Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan shavings until melted into the sauce. Add chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta & Meat: Add drained bowtie pasta to the sauce and toss to coat thoroughly. Then add the sliced grilled chicken and diced bacon, mixing gently until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Serve: Serve the chicken carbonara hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or parsley if desired. Enjoy this creamy and flavorful dish immediately.
Notes
- Divide into 6 equal servings for portion control.
- If the sauce thickens too much upon standing, stir in a little more chicken broth or milk to loosen.
- For extra richness, you can add an egg yolk to the sauce off heat and whisk quickly, but this is optional.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting.
- Bowtie pasta can be substituted with fettuccine or penne if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken Carbonara, Creamy Pasta, Grilled Chicken, Bacon, Parmesan Sauce, Bowtie Pasta, Italian Recipe
