By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 9, 2026

Serves 2
1298 cal · 60 min
Chicken Carbonara
Recipe GLPR506aa4b9ad12d5
A creamy Italian pasta dish with tender chicken and crispy pancetta, finished with a rich egg and cream sauce. This classic carbonara combines perfectly cooked spaghetti with smoked pancetta, chicken breast, and a silky sauce made from eggs, double cream, and Parmesan cheese.
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Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
50g smoked pancetta, cut into cubes
125g chicken breast, cut into thin strips
250g dried spaghetti
2 free-range eggs, beaten
2 free-range egg yolks, beaten
50ml extra virgin olive oil
75ml double cream
75g grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
Heat the 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta cubes and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until the pancetta becomes crisp and lightly golden. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked pancetta to a clean plate and set aside.
In the same skillet with the remaining pancetta fat, add the chicken breast strips. Cook over medium heat for 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is completely cooked through with no pink inside. Combine the cooked chicken with the pancetta on the plate.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 100ml of the pasta cooking water. Drain the spaghetti in a colander.
In a large bowl, combine the beaten whole eggs and beaten egg yolks. Pour in the extra virgin olive oil and whisk until well blended. Add the warm drained spaghetti and toss gently, adding a splash of the reserved cooking water (about 2–3 tablespoons) to loosen the mixture slightly.
Pour the double cream into the egg and pasta mixture and gently stir to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, the cooked chicken pieces, and the crispy panceta. Toss everything together until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
Divide the pasta and sauce evenly between two serving bowls. Top each portion with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a crack of fresh black pepper. Serve immediately while warm.
Comments
This is a straightforward weeknight dish that Charlotte shoppers can source entirely at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Walmart, or Kroger—no special stops needed. The cost per serving lands around $6–$7, driven mainly by pancetta and parmesan, which is reasonable for a protein-rich main. The stated 60 minutes is misleading; actual hands-on time is closer to 20–25 minutes once water boils, leaving 35 minutes of padding that inflates the estimate. The real caveat: traditional carbonara uses only egg and fat to emulsify, and this recipe's double cream sidesteps that technique, making it richer but less authentic—a trade-off that works fine for home cooking but matters if you're after the classic Roman version.
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