Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe (2025)

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By Shawn Williams

4.19 from 90 votes

Sep 23, 2019, Updated Oct 18, 2023

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Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

  • What is Chicken Carbonara?
  • Creamy Carbonara Sauce
  • Bacon Versus Pancetta
  • How to Make Chicken Carbonara
  • Recipe Prep Makes All The Difference
  • More Pasta Recipes
  • Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe

What is Chicken Carbonara?

Creamy chicken carbonara is inspired by a classic Italian (Roman) pastadish made with bacon or pancetta, whisked egg, and hard cheese. Bacon, egg, and cheese me all day, baby. Carbonara sauce is an egg-based white sauce featuring Parmesancheese, black pepper, fresh herbs, and sometimes cream. It’s creamy, delicious, date-night worthy, and will rock your world.

Thanks to the magic of bacon, this is the most heavenly-smelling pasta dish I or you will ever make. Chicken, garlic, and linguine swirled in bacon fat and melted Parmesan cheese. It’s a cheesy pasta dish loaded with flavor without being overly heavy like fettuccine, which I’ve never really been a fan of. It just makes me feel gross.

The recipe is really simple if you break it down into simple parts, plus it all comes together (mostly) in a single cast iron skillet in about 30 minutes.

If you loved this recipe, also try some similar favorites such as cacio e pepe recipe, creamy mushroom pasta, creamy Tuscan chicken and pasta, and chicken broccoli ziti!

Creamy Carbonara Sauce

This simple carbonara sauce is comprised of 4 eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and fresh basil. Recipes will occasionally only call for egg yolks, omitting the whites, but I think the whole egg contributes to the overall texture and flavor. I’ve added a little heavy cream to my sauce for additional creaminess.

Adding reserved starchy pasta water at the very end will also help thin the sauce out, keeping it creamy without being too thick or dry.

Whisk all carbonara sauce ingredients together in a bowl and stir into the warm pasta at the very end. The hot pasta, plus the warm skillet will cook the egg just enough without scrambling the eggs. If your pan is too hot, then you’ve just made breakfast.

Bacon Versus Pancetta

Pancetta is a common Italian substitute for bacon—it’s considered Italian bacon. Both bacon and pancetta come from cured pork belly. You can substitute either interchangeably in the recipe depending on availability. Pancetta is often sold predicted into small pieces and is considered recipe-ready.

How to Make Chicken Carbonara

Cook the thick-cut bacon in a skillet (thick is important) first, reserving some bacon fat for flavor. Cook the chicken second with the garlic in that flavorful bacon fat.

Add the bacon back to the skillet, add linguine or pasta of choice, and stir in the carbonara sauce until you have a creamy, rich pasta dish. Finish with plenty of freshly cracked black pepper, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil.

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe (3)

Recipe Prep Makes All The Difference

Prep makes a big difference in this recipe. Cutting the chicken and bacon before you start anything else makes the recipe move quickly and smoothly. As you get your pasta water boiling, whisk together the sauce and slice your proteins so you can fly right out of the gate. If you’re making something for the first time, I’ve always found it tends to cut down on the stress, especially if you’re cooking for guests.

If it’s Italian it’s got to be served with wine. I think this would go well with a crisp, fruity white or Chianti Classico. I’m going with Chianti.

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe (4)

More Pasta Recipes

Pappardelle Cacio e Pepe Recipe

Simple Creamy Gnocchi Recipe

Simple Creamy Mushroom Pasta Recipe

Creamy Shell Pasta with Sausage Recipe

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4.19 from 90 votes

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe

By: Shawn Williams

Servings: 6

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 30 minutes mins

Save

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe (9)

Creamy chicken carbonara is inspired by a classic Italian pasta dish made with bacon, whisked egg, and hard cheese. It’s creamy, delicious, date-night worthy, and will rock your world.

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized strips
  • 12-14 ounces linguine
  • 4 strips thick-cut bacon, or pancetta, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Carbonara Sauce

  • 4 eggs
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook linguine al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before straining.

  • Combine eggs, cream, Parmesan cheese, basil, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk thoroughly and set aside.

  • Meanwhile, cook bacon in a cast iron skillet on medium heat until fully cooked, remove from the skillet and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain. Keep1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and discard the rest.

  • Add minced garlic and sliced chicken to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper and cook until chicken is fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

  • Return bacon to the skillet, add the warm linguine and toss with chicken and bacon. Turn the burner down to low and let the skillet cool for 2-3 minutes. If the skillet is too hot you run the risk of scrambling the eggs.

  • Add egg mixture to the skillet and toss with the pasta until fully incorporated. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of reserved pasta water until creamy. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

Prep makes a big difference in this recipe. Cutting the chicken and bacon before you start anything else makes the recipe move quickly and smoothly. As you get your pasta water boiling, whisk together the sauce and slice your proteins so you can fly right out of the gate.

Pancetta is a common Italian substitute for bacon—it’s actually considered Italian bacon. Both bacon and pancetta come from cured pork belly. You can substitute either interchangeably in the recipe depending on availability. Pancetta is often sold predicted into small pieces and is considered recipe ready.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 706kcalCarbohydrates: 37.2gProtein: 91.4gFat: 20.7gSaturated Fat: 7.4gCholesterol: 363mgSodium: 906mgSugar: 0.3g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Tried this recipe?Mention @kitchenswagger or tag #kitchenswagger!

About Shawn Williams

My name is Shawn, author behind Kitchen Swagger. I'm a food & drink enthusiast bringing you my own simple and delicious restaurant-inspired recipes.

Read More About Me

Creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe (2025)

FAQs

What is chicken carbonara sauce made of? ›

The creamy sauce is made by tossing eggs and Parmesan with cooked pasta and its still piping hot cooking water. It's so simple but can be intimidating.

What is the trick about carbonara sauce? ›

Whisk Like You Mean It

You're using more egg yolks than whites here, which is what makes carbonara so rich and luxurious. But there's still two eggs-worth of whites in there. Whisking your eggs so that the whites are completely incorporated into the yolks will give your sauce a more uniform texture.

Is carbonara better with or without cream? ›

Should carbonara have cream? Typically carbonara sauce is only made of eggs, bacon, parmesan, olive oil, seasoning, and sometimes, vegetables. As for cream, Italians will tell you that is a big no no.

What is the difference between creamy carbonara and alfredo? ›

Flavor. The addition to guanciale in carbonara sauce is the main reason the flavor of Alfredo and carbonara sauce differs to such a degree. Guanciale gives carbonara an earthy, funkier edge whereas Alfredo sauce relies solely upon its buttery virtues to seduce its way into your mouth.

Is chicken carbonara the same as Alfredo? ›

The difference between an Alfredo and a Carbonara: Alfredo is basic – pasta, cream, parmesan, parsley. Carbonara is a little more complicated – pasta, onion, pancetta, garlic, egg yolks, cream, parmesan, parsley.

Which ingredient should never be used in traditional carbonara? ›

What not to put in Spaghetti Carbonara? Don't put garlic, cream, milk or butter. It is not needed. It is fine if you want to make a dish with those ingredients, but if you want to learn how to make this dish correctly, use only pecorino, eggs/egg yolks, black pepper, guanciale, and pasta water.

What is the golden rule of cooking a carbonara? ›

The golden rule to silky carbonara is to whisk your egg whites so that they're completely incorporated with the egg yolks. This will create a smooth, velvety sauce. As like any pasta dish, including carbonara, cook the pasta perfectly al dente so that it's soft but still firm, with some bite.

How does Gordon Ramsay make carbonara sauce? ›

How to make Gordon Ramsay's 10-minute Carbonara
  1. 125g of spaghetti (4.41 ounces)
  2. 80g of streaky bacon or pancetta (2.82 ounces)
  3. 30g of frozen peas (1.06 ounces)
  4. Two eggs.
  5. Two mushrooms.
  6. One chili.
  7. Two garlic gloves.
  8. One and a half tablespoons of creme fraiche.
Nov 7, 2023

Should there be garlic in carbonara? ›

Roasted garlic cream sauce can be delicious with strong seafood or by itself on pasta. But you don't have to garlic everything. Humble ingredients—eggs, pasta, cheese, and pork—combine to create glossy, glorious spaghetti carbonara that's just as good at dinner as at 4 a.m.

Do Italians put cream in carbonara sauce? ›

Authentic Italian Carbonara (without cream) is an easy 20 minute restaurant worthy meal you can make on a weeknight! This recipe is perfectly smooth and creamy without using cream. In Italy, a traditional carbonara means no cream. Learn to make it the authentic way.

Do Americans put cream in carbonara? ›

Carbonara does not contain cream. Period. If you want to add cream and bacon and peas and onion and heaven only knows what else that is fine…it's just not Carbonara…it may be very tasty…but it's not Carbonara.

Do you use all the egg in carbonara? ›

A sauce of mostly yolks has a richer, silkier, tighter texture than one made with only whole eggs. A mixture of Pecorino Romano and Parmigiano-Reggiano delivers that essential Roman flavor without making the pasta taste excessively salty or sharp.

What is a substitute for heavy cream in carbonara? ›

The 10 Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream
  1. Milk and butter.
  2. Soy milk and olive oil.
  3. Milk and cornstarch.
  4. Half-and-half.
  5. Tofu and soy.
  6. Yogurt and milk.
  7. Evaporated milk.
  8. Cottage cheese and milk.

What noodles do you use for carbonara? ›

Carbonara is almost always served with spaghetti or linguine, but you can use whatever pasta you prefer. For a more unusual take on carbonara, try spinach fettuccine tossed with warm pasta and fresh baby spinach; you'll get a vibrant, beautiful dish with some additional health benefits.

Why do people put cream in carbonara? ›

While adding cream dilutes the flavor and the richness of an actual carbonara it does offer two benefits to the english pasta eating community that are important to them, and not important to Italians. It makes the dish easy to make. Carbonara is a very technique driven dish.

Is carbonara sauce the same as alfredo sauce? ›

The difference between alfredo and carbonara is that carbonara contains an egg while alfredo sauce does not. Carbonara is usually thinner in consistency than alfredo sauce, using the egg to coat the noodles instead of relying on the cream.

Is carbonara just alfredo sauce? ›

Alfredo is made from butter, parsley, heavy cream and minced garlic, whereas carbonara is made from pecorino romano, eggs, black pepper and guanciale (ingredients seem to vary for the sauces depending on the recipe). In Italy carbonara is made without cream, adding cream to the sauce is an American thing it seems.

Does carbonara sauce taste like alfredo? ›

Carbonara sauce is typically made with egg yolks, bacon or pancetta, and Parmesan cheese, which gives it a distinct smoky flavour. Alfredo sauce, on the other hand, is made with butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, and does not contain eggs or bacon.

Is carbonara sauce made of cheese? ›

What is the sauce in carbonara made from? Classic Italian carbonara sauce is typically made with just 4 ingredients: eggs, black pepper, pecorino Romano (or parmesan), and guanciale (or pancetta).

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