Decadent Chicken and Bacon Carbonara with Pecorino Romano

Ingredients

- 8 ounces spaghetti
- 1 pound chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 quarts water

Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients
- In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil over high heat. Add a pinch of salt to the water for added flavor.
- While water is heating, rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts. Cut them into bite-sized cubes and set aside.
- Chop the thick-cut bacon into small pieces.

2. Cook the Pasta
- Once the water reaches a rolling boil, add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, approximately PT10M (10 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the remaining water. Set aside the cooked pasta.

3. Prepare the Sauce Base
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the chopped bacon. Cook until crisp, about PT7M (7 minutes). Use a slotted spoon to remove bacon from the skillet and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.

4. Cook the Chicken
- In the same skillet with the bacon fat, add the chicken cubes. Season with salt and black pepper. Sauté over medium heat until fully cooked and golden brown on the outside, approximately PT8M (8 minutes). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

5. Combine and Cook
- Reduce skillet heat to low. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the remaining bacon fat.
- In a small bowl, beat the eggs and mix them with the grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Slowly pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta, stirring continuously to create a creamy sauce. If the mixture is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Add the bacon, chicken, and chopped parsley to the pasta, stirring to combine and heat through. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

6. Serve and Garnish
- Divide the pasta into four portions, serving immediately for optimal texture and creaminess. Garnish with extra Pecorino Romano cheese and fresh parsley as desired.

Preparation & Cooking Times

Preparation Time:
PT15M
15 minutes

Cooking Time:
PT25M
25 minutes

Total Time

PT40M
40 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Carbonara, Chicken Carbonara, Dinner Pasta, Bacon Pasta, Easy Italian Recipe, Spaghetti Recipe, Weeknight Dinner, Family Meal, Comfort Food, Stove-Top Cooking

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

1,850 calories total

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