Easy Recipes

Best-Ever Chicken Carbonara

When you're looking for something comforting and carb-y, nothing fits the bill like a good carbonara. Not only is this one chock-full of a creamy sauce and speckled with crispy bacon, but also boneless skinless chicken breasts for added protein (without added effort!).

Ingredients

12 oz. fettuccine
4 slices bacon
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 large eggs, beaten
3/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
1/3 c. freshly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish

Directions

Step 1
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water, and return to pot.

Step 2
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until bacon is crispy, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl and drain half the fat in skillet.

Step 3
Add chicken to skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Season generously with salt and pepper and cook, flipping halfway through, until no longer pink, 10 minutes.

Step 4
Reduce heat to low and return bacon to skillet. Toss, then add cooked pasta and toss until combined.

Step 5
In a small bowl, beat together eggs, Parmesan, and parsley and season with salt and pepper.

Step 6
Pour egg mixture over pasta and toss until coated, then add a couple tablespoons pasta water until creamy. (Add more pasta water by the tablespoonful as necessary.)

Step 7
Garnish with Parmesan and parsley and serve immediately.