This recipe for chicken parmesan pasta carbonara is a timeless Italian comfort recipes! Its creamy sauce, simple ingredients, and versatility make it a favorite in our kitchen. This dish pairs al dente pasta with a rich mixture of eggs, parmesan cheese, and garlic creating a light and delicious texture. Learn all about how to make it here….
What Is Pasta Carbonara?
Pasta carbonara is a classic Italian dish that consists of pasta in a light, smooth sauce made with eggs and cheese. It can be paired with all kinds of proteins and cheeses. In our kitchen, carbonara is a versatile meal we can make quickly. We start with the basic base of pasta and egg sauce and build with whatever cheese and meat we have available.
Carbonara can be made with bacon, ground beef, and our all time favorite- chicken and parmesan cheese! Add in vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, or onions for extra flavor. The options are endless!
The unique cream sauce in pasta carbonara is made using eggs and parmesan cheese through a process called tempering. The raw eggs are added to hot pasta, cooking them just enough to thicken to create a creamy texture. This is the perfect way to add more protein to a pasta dish!
This quick and easy meal only takes about twenty minutes to throw together making it the perfect go to meal when you need dinner from scratch without all the hassle.
The Best Pasta for Carbonara
You can use pretty much any pasta when you make this recipe. However, different kinds may affect the outcome depending on the shape and density of the noodles. For best results, I prefer to use a straight shaped pasta such as spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair. Pastas with a hollow shape tend to be a bit more bland because the egg sauce does not coat the entire noodle like it does with spaghetti or other straight options.
Note: You will notice that the pictures on this post have penne noodles. They yield similar results because of the straight shape even though they would be considered hallow.
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Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this chicken parmesan carbonara are simple and easy to source. Here’s what you need….
- 1 box spaghetti pasta
- 3-4 chicken breasts, seasoned and cut into strips
- 6 eggs, well beaten
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- Grated parmesan cheese
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Pasta Carbonara
Pasta carbonara is an incredibly easy and simple meal to make! Follow these instructions for success….
- After cooking your chicken breasts and seasoning well with salt and pepper, sit to the side with the lid on to preserve heat and freshness.
- Cook your noodles according to the instructions on the box. While the noodles cook, beat eggs, parmesan cheese, garlic, and seasonings together until you have a smooth mixture.
- After noodles have fully cooked and are strained, pour the egg/parm mixture over the hot noodles. Stir well. This process of pouring the eggs into the hot pasta will cook the eggs as a creamy sauce. If you do not remove the pasta from heat before stirring in the eggs you will have a scrambled egg texture instead of a creamy texture.
- After stirring the sauce into the noodles, plate your pasta and add chicken to the top. You can also top with more parmesan cheese and fresh herbs to garnish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While chicken parmesan pasta carbonara is super simple and easy to make, there are a few mistakes to avoid…..
- As already mentioned, the eggs will cook if you add them while the pasta is still too hot. You want to make sure that you add the egg mixture as soon as the noodles have been strained and are still hot. Mix well!
- Pasta carbonara can be reheated in the microwave for a minute or so before the eggs begin to cook. DO NOT REHEAT IN THE OVEN as this will fully cook the eggs.
Variations and Substitutions
Pasta. As mentioned before, any type of pasta can be used. While a straight noodle like spaghetti or linguine is best, whatever you have on hand will work.
Chicken. The protein in this recipe can be swapped for whatever meat you desire- ground beef, bacon, or steak being fantastic options!
What to Serve with Pasta Carbonara
Because of the protein content in this pasta dish, it is the perfect candidate for a side of sourdough bread! Here are a few recipes that pair up amazingly with chicken parmesan pasta carbonara….
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Chicken Parmesan Pasta Carbonara
Ingredients
- 1 box spaghetti pasta
- 3-4 chicken breasts seasoned and cut into strips
- 6 eggs well beaten
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne
- Grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- After cooking your chicken breasts and seasoning well with salt and pepper, sit to the side with the lid on to preserve heat and freshness.
- Cook your noodles according to the instructions on the box. While the noodles cook, beat eggs, parmesan cheese, garlic, and seasonings together until you have a smooth mixture.
- After noodles have fully cooked and are strained, pour the egg/parm mixture over the hot noodles. Stir well. This process of pouring the eggs into the hot pasta will cook the eggs as a creamy sauce. If you do not remove the pasta from heat before stirring in the eggs you will have a scrambled egg texture instead of a creamy texture.
- After stirring the sauce into the noodles, plate your pasta and add chicken to the top. You can also top with more parmesan cheese and fresh herbs to garnish.
