Chicken Carbonara

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Pasta Potluck

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (314)

Cook Time:
22 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 22 min
Total:: 42 min

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Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
8 large egg yolks
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
Salt
1 pound spaghetti
4 cups coarsely shredded chicken (from 1 roasted chicken)
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and garlic and saute until it is brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Cool slightly.

In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, cheese, yolks, basil, and parsley to blend.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook until it is just tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Drain.

Add the chicken to the pan with the pancetta and stir to combine. Next, add the spaghetti and the cream mixture and toss over medium-low heat until the chicken is heated through and the sauce coats the spaghetti thickly, about 4 minutes (do not boil or you might end up scrambling the eggs). Season the pasta, to taste, with pepper and salt if needed (the pancetta will likely add all the salt you need). Transfer the pasta to a large wide serving bowl. Sprinkle the walnuts and lemon zest over, and serve.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Chicken Carbonara
Sarah Celebration, FL 11-01-2009
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Fancy treat
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Good work Giada! Add in some gorgonzola cheese in the cream/cheese mixture, and substitute the olive oil for truffle oil and... you've got a fancy treat. My husband loved it!Read more
recipe Chicken Carbonara
Jennifer Houston, TX 10-28-2009
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AMAZING!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Made this for my family & it was a huge hit. I substituted the pancetta with bacon since it's all I had in house but it was... still so delicious! I love Giada's recipies they're so awesome & so easy to make. I'm going to try making the stuffed olives for thanksgiving :)Read more
recipe Chicken Carbonara
SHEILA ANDERSON, SC 10-19-2009
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My New Favorite Dish
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I tried this dish at Olive Garden and fell in love with it. I think this one is better because it tastes great, and I can... make it at home for a fraction of the price. I just love it as well as my son who is very picky. I opted to leave out the eggs because it just seems like too many, but I used everything else. I highly recommend this recipe.Read more
recipe Chicken Carbonara
null null, null 10-18-2009
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Fantastic!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is one of the first recipes I tried of Giada's and it is fantastic! I love chicken and pasta, so this was a great match... for me. The sauce is creamy and not too rich and the flavor is delicious! I recommend this to anyone, especially those who enjoy white sauce pastas.Read more
recipe Chicken Carbonara
Amy Orlando, FL 10-01-2009
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Easy-Tasty-Kids Loved It!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is by far the best pasta with chicken dish around! Why? 1) Because it is simple, delicious, and can be prepped ahead... of time. 2) Weeknight friendly. 3) Kids all loved it! 4) Leftovers warmed up nicely in the pot with a touch of milk to help regenerate the sauce. 5) Enough for 2 Meals.Yes, our family of 5 had enough leftover for a second dinner! Served a mini wedge salad as a side. I substituted regular bacon for the pancetta, and left the lemon zest and toasted nuts on the side for those who chose to add them. (I added them and loved it. My kids chose not to add them.)Read more
recipe Chicken Carbonara
carol rosamond, CA 09-23-2009
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yummy in my tummy
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I never hear of this recipe was looking for something new. Wow! MADE MY BIRTHDAY. I think this would also be good with... spinach and asparagass. The only think that i would change would be to warm sauce in a separate pan and then pour over noodle mixture later as it soaks into the pasta so fast. It was full of favor in every bite. I read other reviews that said it was bland they must not not have made it correctly. You truely are a star !! Thanks again for making my birthday so special, Carol moje Read more