Giada's Chicken Carbonara

Indulge in the ultimate comfort dish with Giada's Chicken Carbonara—a creamy, Italian-inspired pasta loaded with bold flavors and hearty ingredients. Featuring tender, golden-browned chicken, crispy pancetta, and perfectly al dente spaghetti, this recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a restaurant-quality meal. The richness of the Parmesan-egg sauce clings to every strand of pasta, creating a luscious, velvety coating that’s perfectly balanced by the hint of garlic and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Ready in just 40 minutes, this elevated take on classic carbonara is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Cooked to perfection with minimal effort, Giada's Chicken Carbonara is a timeless dish that will have your family asking for seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound Spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1.5 pounds Chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, diced)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces Diced pancetta
• 2 cloves Minced garlic
• 4 items Large eggs
• 1 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup Chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining and setting the pasta aside.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the diced chicken with salt and pepper, and then add it to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, add the diced pancetta and cook for 4-5 minutes over medium heat until crispy. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth. Slowly whisk in 2-3 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to temper the eggs (preventing them from scrambling).

Step 5

Reduce the heat under the skillet to low. Add the cooked spaghetti and the chicken to the pancetta and garlic mixture, tossing to combine. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Step 6

Pour the Parmesan-egg mixture over the pasta, tossing quickly to coat the noodles and ensure a creamy sauce forms. If needed, add small amounts of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Step 7

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately. Optionally, top with additional Parmesan cheese to taste.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1759.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3802.3

Total Fat 176.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 73.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1593.8mg	0%
Sodium 6757.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 158.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.7g	0%
Total Sugars 4.8g
Protein 381.2g	0%

Vitamin D 289.3IU	0%
Calcium 2946.8mg	0%
Iron 21.5mg	0%
Potassium 3337.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.3%

Protein: 40.7%

Carbs: 16.9%