Chicken Carbonara Recipe
A creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe with tender chicken, smoky bacon, pasta, peas, garlic, and Parmesan in a rich yet light sauce, ready in 20 minutes.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 strips bacon cooked and drained
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 Laughing Cow cheese wedges or similar soft cheese
- ½ cup low-fat half and half
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 ½ cups bow tie pasta cooked according to package directions
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the base ingredients
- Cook the bacon until crisp, drain, and set aside. At the same time, prepare the pasta according to package directions, drain well, and set aside.
Cook the chicken
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet, allow to rest briefly, then cut into bite-sized pieces.
Sauté aromatics
- In the same skillet, add the olive oil, onion, and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and the onion becomes lightly golden, taking care not to burn.
Create the sauce
- Whisk in the cheese wedges, half and half, and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Incorporate pasta and vegetables
- Add the cooked pasta, peas, and Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring well to coat. In a small bowl, combine water and cornstarch to create a slurry. Stir this into the sauce until it thickens slightly.
Combine and finish
- Return the chicken and crumbled bacon to the skillet. Stir to incorporate evenly. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
To make this dish gluten free, substitute the bow tie pasta with a certified gluten-free pasta variety. Confirm that chicken broth and cheese wedges are also labeled gluten free, as some brands may include additives containing gluten.