Amazing Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner Now

Name: Amazing Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner Now
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 ounces linguine pasta; 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into thin strips; 3 cloves garlic minced; 3 large eggs; 3 quarters cup finely grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving; 1 half cup half and half; 1 half teaspoon black pepper; 1 quarter teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

By anna Boncoeur On August 27, 2025

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If you are looking for the ultimate weeknight savior, you’ve found it with this Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner. Hi, I’m Anna, and I live for sharing simple, flavorful chicken recipes that cut down on stress and make everyday cooking genuinely joyful. Over the years, I’ve perfected countless meals that promise big flavor without demanding hours in the kitchen, and this easy carbonara is truly foolproof.

I promise you, this recipe delivers that rich, comforting Italian flavor you crave, but it’s built specifically for busy schedules. Forget complicated sauces; we’re making magic happen in about 30 minutes flat. This is my go-to for turning a standard Tuesday into a restaurant-worthy experience!

Table Of content

Why This Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner Works For You

This recipe cuts straight to the good stuff—creamy, savory pasta loaded with tender chicken—without any fuss. It’s designed to be fast, satisfying, and completely reliable, even when you’re tired.

Quick Prep Time for Busy Evenings

With only about ten minutes dedicated to prep work, you can have everything ready to go before the water even finishes boiling for your pasta. That speed is everything on a chaotic weeknight!

Rich Flavor Without Complication

You get that luxurious, velvety coating that true carbonara is famous for, but we’re adding chicken for a complete, hearty meal. It tastes gourmet, but honestly, it’s incredibly straightforward to pull off.

Essential Components for Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner

Making this Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner successful relies on having the right components ready to go. Don’t start cooking until you’ve gathered everything! We need a good base of pasta and chicken, and then all the elements that make that sauce sing. Seriously, grating your own Parmesan makes a huge difference here—pre-grated stuff has anti-caking agents that stop it from melting beautifully.

Here’s the rundown of what you’ll need for four servings. I’ve listed everything out so you can check your pantry!

Ingredient	Quantity	Preparation Notes
Linguine Pasta	12 ounces	For cooking
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast	1 pound	Cut into thin strips
Garlic	3 cloves	Minced finely
Large Eggs	3	Whisked well
Parmesan Cheese	3 quarters cup	Finely grated, plus extra for serving
Half and Half	1 half cup	For creaminess
Black Pepper	1 half teaspoon	Freshly ground if possible!
Salt	1 quarter teaspoon	Plus extra for pasta water
Fresh Basil	2 tablespoons	Chopped

Pasta and Chicken Base

We are using linguine here because those long strands grab onto the sauce so well, but spaghetti works too! The chicken breast needs to be cut into thin strips so it cooks super fast and evenly. Remember, we want it fully cooked—that means checking it hits 165°F internally before we move on. If you are looking for other ways to prepare chicken breast quickly, check out my guide on juicy baked chicken breast tips.

The Creamy Sauce Elements

This is where the magic happens! The sauce is built on those three eggs, the half and half, and the Parmesan. Don’t skimp on the cheese quality here; it needs to be finely grated so it melts into that beautiful, smooth coating we are aiming for. The small amount of salt and pepper balances out the richness of the cheese and eggs beautifully.

Necessary Tools for Your Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner

You don’t need a million fancy gadgets for this one, which is why I love it so much! Having the right pots and pans makes the flow seamless, especially when you have to move things on and off the heat quickly. Trust me, having a large skillet is non-negotiable here.

For this easy carbonara, make sure you have these two big players ready:

A large pot for boiling your linguine—you need enough room for the pasta to swim!
A large, wide skillet where you’ll cook the chicken and finish tossing everything together.

Grab your whisk and a decent whisking bowl for the egg mixture too. That’s really it. Simple tools for a fantastic creamy chicken pasta dinner! You can find more inspiration for quick meals like this on my Pinterest page.

Necessary Tools for Your Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner

For this easy carbonara, make sure you have these two big players ready:

A large pot for boiling your linguine—you need enough room for the pasta to swim!
A large, wide skillet where you’ll cook the chicken and finish tossing everything together.

Grab your whisk and a decent whisking bowl for the egg mixture too. That’s really it. Simple tools for a fantastic creamy chicken pasta dinner!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Perfect Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner

Okay, let’s get cooking! This is where the speed comes in, but don’t rush the crucial steps, especially when dealing with the eggs. My goal for you is a silky sauce coating every strand of linguine, not scrambled bits floating around. Follow these steps closely, and you’ll nail this creamy chicken pasta every time.

Preparing the Pasta and Sauce Mixture

First things first: get that big pot of water boiling! Don’t forget to add a good tablespoon of salt to the water—it seasons the pasta from the inside out. Drop in your 12 ounces of linguine and cook it until it’s perfectly al dente. Remember, package directions are just a suggestion; taste it! Before you drain it, use a mug or ladle to scoop out at least a half cup of that starchy pasta water and set it aside. You will absolutely need this later.

While the pasta cooks, turn your attention to the sauce base. In your whisking bowl, combine those three large eggs, the finely grated Parmesan, the half and half, the pepper, the small amount of salt, and the fresh basil. Whisk this mixture vigorously until it’s completely smooth and uniform in color. Seriously, whisk it until you don’t see any white streaks of egg white left! If you are interested in other creamy chicken dishes, you might enjoy this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta.

Cooking the Chicken and Aromatics

Now, move over to your large skillet. Drizzle in the two tablespoons of olive oil and set the heat to medium. Lay out your chicken strips in a single layer—don’t crowd the pan, or it will steam instead of sear! Cook these for about six or seven minutes, flipping them occasionally until they look golden brown and are cooked all the way through. If you have a meat thermometer, double-check that they hit that safe 165°F internal temperature.

Once the chicken is done, toss in your three minced cloves of garlic. The garlic only needs about 30 seconds here; you want it fragrant, not brown or bitter. Once you smell that wonderful aroma, turn the heat down immediately.

Combining Pasta, Chicken, and Creating the Creamy Carbonara

Carefully add your drained linguine right into the skillet with the chicken and garlic. Toss it all together quickly just to get the pasta coated in the oils and flavorings. This next part is the most important step for a smooth sauce!

You must remove the entire skillet completely off the direct heat source. Let it rest for a full two minutes. This cooling period is vital to drop the temperature enough so the eggs don’t curdle. After those two minutes, pour your whisked egg mixture evenly over the warm pasta and chicken. Now, you toss, toss, toss! Keep tossing continuously for about two minutes until that sauce thickens up and starts clinging beautifully to the pasta.

If it looks too thick—like it’s seizing up—don’t panic! Grab that reserved starchy pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, and toss it in until the sauce loosens into that glossy, creamy consistency we love. Serve this amazing Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner immediately, showered with extra Parmesan!

Tips for Achieving Expert-Level Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner Results

Getting that restaurant-quality, velvety sauce without any scrambled eggs is totally doable, but it requires listening to your heat source. I’ve learned through trial and error that this dish is less about measuring precisely and more about managing temperature when you combine the eggs!

Temperature Control is Key for Sauce Consistency

This is the absolute make-or-break moment for your creamy chicken pasta. When you combine the hot pasta and chicken with the raw egg mixture, you are essentially tempering the eggs—cooking them gently without scrambling them. That’s why we take the pan completely off the burner and wait two full minutes. If your pan is too hot, you’ll end up with cheesy scrambled eggs clinging to your chicken strips. Low and slow tossing is the secret weapon here; keep moving that pasta until the residual heat thickens the sauce into a luxurious coating.

Adjusting Consistency with Reserved Pasta Water

Never underestimate the power of that starchy water you saved! If your sauce looks too tight or pasty after tossing with the eggs, that starchy water is the magic emulsifier. Start by adding just a tablespoon at a time. The starch in the water binds beautifully with the fats from the cheese and eggs, creating that glossy, perfectly emulsified sauce that clings to every piece of linguine. It transforms the texture from thick to perfectly creamy in seconds. If you happen to use dried basil instead of fresh, add it when you cook the garlic so it has time to bloom a little! For more tips on quick weeknight meals, see my guide on one-skillet fiesta chicken and rice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Your Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner

I always get questions about this recipe because people worry about messing up the sauce! Here are the things I hear most often about making this easy carbonara and ensuring a perfect creamy chicken pasta dinner every time.

Can I substitute the chicken breast in this Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner?

Absolutely! While chicken breast is lean and cooks quickly, if you prefer something else, you can definitely swap it out. Thinly sliced turkey breast works just as well, or for a slightly richer flavor, use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Just remember the internal temperature rule: whatever poultry you choose, make sure it reaches 165°F before you add the garlic! If you prefer using thighs, check out my recipe for boneless chicken thighs baked at 400F.

How long does this creamy chicken pasta last as leftovers?

This creamy chicken pasta is best eaten right away, honestly, because egg-based sauces sometimes change texture when chilled. If you do have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. When you reheat them, add a splash of milk or a teaspoon of water to the mixture before warming it gently on the stovetop to try and bring back some of that original creaminess.

Why do I need to reserve the pasta water for this dinner?

That starchy water is liquid gold! It’s the secret ingredient that helps the sauce come together without scrambling the eggs. The starch helps the egg and cheese mixture emulsify, meaning it binds everything together into that glossy coating rather than separating into a watery mess. Always save more than you think you need!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner

I won’t lie, this creamy chicken pasta is absolutely at its peak right after you make it. That beautiful, glossy sauce is made with fresh eggs, so it changes texture once it chills down. But if you have leftovers from your Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner, don’t toss them!

The trick to making it good again is reintroducing moisture slowly. You want to avoid heating it too high or too fast, or you’ll end up with dry pasta and clumps of cheese. Always use an airtight container for the best results.

Action	Instruction
Storage	Refrigerate leftovers within two hours in a sealed container. Best eaten within 48 hours.
Reheating Tip	Add 1-2 teaspoons of milk or fresh water per serving before reheating.
Reheating Method	Reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop, stirring constantly until just warmed through. Avoid the microwave if possible!

If you must use the microwave, heat it in short 30-second bursts, stirring well between each blast. The stovetop method keeps the texture far superior!

Understanding the Nutrition in Your Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner

When you’re whipping up this Chicken Carbonara Creamy Pasta Dinner on a busy night, you’re probably focused on flavor, but it’s good to know what you’re eating too! This recipe is hearty, packed with protein from the chicken and eggs, and totally satisfying.

Since this is a homemade recipe using whole ingredients, the exact numbers can vary based on how much cheese you sprinkle on top or the exact size of your chicken breast. But based on the standard measurements listed, here is a good estimate of what one of these four servings looks like. It’s a great, balanced meal for a comforting dinner! For more healthy chicken options, see my recipe for Greek yogurt chicken salad.