Description
This Best Chicken Carbonara recipe features tender grilled chicken breasts and crispy bacon strips tossed with bowtie pasta in a creamy Parmesan sauce made from milk, heavy cream, chicken broth, and garlic. It’s a cozy, comforting dish that balances smoky, savory flavors with a rich and velvety texture. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare and serves six people.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Protein
- 5 strips bacon, cooked and diced
- 2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
Produce
- 3 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
Dairy
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ¾ cup milk
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup Parmesan shavings
Pantry
- 1 small box bowtie pasta (approx. 8 ounces)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons flour
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Bacon: Begin by cooking the five strips of bacon in a skillet until crispy. Once cooked, remove and set aside on paper towels to drain.
- Grill Chicken: In the same pan or a separate skillet, melt two tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and fully cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the skillet used for the chicken, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk together milk, heavy cream, chicken broth, and flour in a bowl to make a smooth mixture. Pour this mixture into the skillet with garlic and cook over low heat, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Add Cheese: Stir in the Parmesan shavings, allowing the cheese to melt fully into the sauce. If the sauce becomes too thick, add additional chicken broth to loosen it to desired consistency.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained bowtie pasta to the sauce and toss well to ensure the noodles are thoroughly coated.
- Season and Add Herbs: Sprinkle in the chopped parsley, and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Chicken and Bacon: Dice the grilled chicken breasts and bacon pieces, then add them to the pasta and sauce mixture. Toss everything together until fully combined and heated through.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Carbonara hot, garnished with a little extra Parmesan or parsley if desired. Enjoy your creamy, flavorful meal!
Notes
- Divide the recipe into 6 equal servings.
- If the sauce thickens too much, add more chicken broth to loosen it.
- You can substitute bowtie pasta with other pasta shapes like penne or fettuccine.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before adding to the sauce.
- For a lower fat option, use reduced-fat milk and cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Chicken Carbonara, creamy pasta, bacon, grilled chicken, bowtie pasta, Parmesan sauce
