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Chicken, Bacon, and Mushroom Carbonara

Chicken, Bacon, and Mushroom Carbonara
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Chicken, Bacon, and Mushroom Carbonara is a rich and creamy pasta dish combining tender chicken, smoky bacon, and earthy mushrooms in a luscious, velvety sauce made from eggs and Parmesan cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting and elegant meal brings classic Italian charm to your table with hearty ingredients perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 chicken breasts or thighs, diced
  • 6 strips of bacon, chopped
  • 4 large eggs

Vegetables

  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or shiitake)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Pasta & Dairy

  • 12 oz spaghetti or fettuccine
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pantry & Seasonings

  • 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  2. Prepare the Bacon and Chicken: While the pasta cooks, chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces and cook in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan. Next, add diced chicken pieces to the skillet and sauté until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Sauté the Mushrooms and Garlic: In the same skillet with the chicken and bacon fat, add sliced mushrooms and minced garlic. Cook until the mushrooms are browned and tender, releasing their rich, earthy flavor.
  4. Mix the Carbonara Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. This mixture will create your creamy sauce when combined with the hot pasta.
  5. Combine Everything: Return the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken, bacon, and mushrooms. Remove the skillet from heat and slowly stir in the egg and cheese mixture, tossing quickly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Gradually add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches a silky, creamy consistency.
  6. Season and Serve: Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while warm and luscious.

Notes

  • Use room temperature eggs to incorporate more smoothly and prevent curdling.
  • Combine sauce off the heat to keep it creamy rather than scrambled.
  • Reserve pasta water to help thin the sauce naturally and improve sauce adhesion.
  • Cook bacon first to infuse flavor into the pan, enhancing the chicken and mushrooms.
  • Cut chicken into uniform pieces for even cooking and tenderness.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken carbonara, bacon carbonara, mushroom carbonara, creamy pasta, quick dinner, Italian pasta recipe

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/chicken-bacon-and-mushroom-carbonara/