Description

This Best Chicken Carbonara recipe is a creamy, comforting pasta dish combining grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and a luscious Parmesan sauce. The dish features tender bowtie pasta enveloped in a rich sauce made from garlic, butter, milk, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese, finished with fresh parsley for brightness. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, this Carbonara-style recipe brings together simple ingredients with classic Italian flavors in a quick stovetop method.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein & Dairy

5 strips bacon, cooked and diced
2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
2 tablespoons butter
¾ cup milk
¼ cup heavy cream
¾ cup Parmesan shavings

Vegetables & Herbs

3 cloves garlic, fresh minced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Pantry Staples

1 small box bowtie (farfalle) pasta
1 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons flour
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook Bacon: Cook five strips of bacon in a pan until crispy. Remove from the pan, drain onto paper towels, and dice once cooled. Set aside.
Grill Chicken: Using the same or a separate pan, melt two tablespoons of butter and cook two chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper until fully cooked through and golden brown. Remove from heat and slice into strips. Set aside.
Cook Pasta: Boil the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, ready to be combined with the sauce.
Prepare Sauce: In the pan, sauté the minced garlic cloves in butter over medium heat until fragrant. Whisk in the flour, then gradually add milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth while continuously whisking until smooth. Simmer on low heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens to coating consistency.
Add Cheese and Seasonings: Stir in the Parmesan shavings into the sauce until melted and smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash more chicken broth to loosen. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine Pasta: Add the drained bowtie pasta to the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat all noodles evenly.
Add Herbs and Protein: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the pasta and toss again. Then add the sliced grilled chicken and diced bacon. Toss gently until the meat is fully incorporated and coated with sauce.
Serve: Serve the Chicken Carbonara hot immediately for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy!

Notes

Divide the dish into 6 equal servings for portion control.
If the sauce thickens too much while standing, stir in a small amount of chicken broth or milk before serving.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.
Bowtie pasta (farfalle) works well, but other pasta shapes like fettuccine or penne can be substituted.
Adjust salt and pepper according to personal preference.
Cook chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Chicken Carbonara, creamy pasta, grilled chicken recipe, bacon pasta, Parmesan sauce, easy dinner, bowtie pasta, comfort food