RECIPES

Chicken & Pasta alla Carbonara

Pasta alla Carbonara is a wonderful weekday dish that uses ingredients you likely already have on hand. The addition of chicken to this classic dish bulks it up to make a satisfying meal.

Prep Time

10M

Cook Time

15M

Serves

4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (0.5 kg) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut in quarters
  • 1/2 lb (0.3 kg) bacon, sliced
  • 1 cup (250 mL) onion, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 eggs, medium
  • 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) salt
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) pepper
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) hot red chili pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 cup (250 mL) parsley, fresh
  • 1 pkg whole wheat spaghetti

    • Instructions

    1. 1 Have all ingredients at room temperature before starting.
    2. 2 Cut the sliced bacon crosswise into smaller pieces. Sauté bacon, onion, garlic and chicken in a medium sauce pan until nicely browned and chicken is fully cooked. Drain fat from pan.
    3. 3 Time this so the mixture finishes cooking just when the pasta is done and you are ready for the final steps of putting together the whole dish. It is critical that the pasta and the chicken mixture are very hot for the dish to be a success.
    4. 4 Cook the spaghetti according to package directions using plenty of boiling unsalted water until al dente. Drain well.
    5. 5 Meanwhile, whisk the eggs with the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, grated Parmesan cheese and the fresh minced parsley (or basil or other fresh herb of your choice).
    6. 6 Drain the pasta and pour it into a large bowl. Add the hot bacon mixture and toss to coat. Then toss again with the egg mixture. The heat of the spaghetti will cook the eggs. Serve with more Parmesan or Romano cheeses.
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