Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara Recipe: Creamy & Delicious Recipe
This Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara recipe combines tender, sautéed chicken breasts with a creamy Parmesan sauce tossed together with perfectly cooked spaghetti or fettuccine. Rich, garlicky, and delightfully comforting, this simple stovetop dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive meal for guests.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt, to season
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to season
Pasta
- 8 oz spaghetti or fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti or fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for the chicken, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Create the Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the garlic and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Combine Everything: Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve It Up: Divide the Chicken Carbonara onto serving plates. Finish with additional Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper if desired. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth sauce texture.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Reserve pasta water is key for adjusting sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream but expect a less rich sauce.
- Fresh garlic provides a bright flavor; avoid browning it to prevent bitterness.
Keywords: Chicken Carbonara, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Italian Chicken Recipe, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Pasta
