Chicken-Bacon Carbonara

For a meaty, more decadent, spin on a classic pasta dish, try this chicken-bacon carbonara that's packed with comforting flavor.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 771 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, sliced
• freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 pound bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 (16 ounce) package bow-tie pasta (farfalle)
• 2 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cubed
• 2 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cubed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, or more as needed
• 4 large eggs, beaten
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese, or more to taste
• 0.25 cup dry red wine
• 0.5 teaspoon dried basil, or more to taste
• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg, divided, or more to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned but not crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels, then transfer to a bowl.

Step 2

Add onion to the drippings and saute over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute until onion is tender, 3 to 4 minutes more. Pour in wine and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until wine evaporates. Add mixture to the bacon.

Step 3

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 11 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, coat chicken in just enough oil to moisten. Place in the same skillet that was used for the bacon. Heat over medium heat and cook, sprinkling chicken with 1/2 of the basil, a pinch of nutmeg, and pepper, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn chicken and repeat seasoning on the other side. Continue to cook until no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 5 to 7 minutes more. Stir bacon mixture into the chicken and keep warm until pasta is done.

Step 5

Combine eggs, cream, Parmesan cheese, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg in a jar or shaker. Cover and shake until well combined.

Step 6

Drain pasta and set aside in a bowl.

Step 7

Dump chicken mixture and all drippings into the pasta pot, away from the heat. Add pasta and toss well. All at once, pour egg mixture into the pot, tossing quickly and thoroughly to cook, but not curdle. Serve hot.