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Grilled Chicken Carbonara

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 Grilled Chicken Carbonara is a spin on the traditional that your whole family is going to love! 

 

Main image for Grilled Chicken Carbonara

 

Tender grilled chicken with delicious al dente spaghetti. And all smothered in a velvety, creamy sauce, bursting with flavors of bacon and garlic. Hungry yet? I know I am!

This carbonara chicken pasta is the perfect blend of grilled goodness with the comfort of creamy pasta.

The marinated chicken makes the chicken taste OH. SO. YUMMY!

Plus the creamy sauce made with simple ingredients is sure to win over even the pickiest eaters.

It’s a delicious meal the whole family will love time and time again.

And this chicken carbonara recipe the perfect combo of textures and flavor. You’re going to love it!

 

Balsamic Vinegar, red wine vinegar, garlic and oregano

 

What is Grilled Chicken Carbonara?

Carbonara is a yummy pasta dish that we can thank Italians for. Don’t they always have the best food?

Grilled Chicken Carbonara is a delicious twist on the traditional carbonara. 

By adding grilled chicken, we’re turning this simple pasta dish into a hearty main course! 

You’ll get a creamy egg-based sauce with all the charred flavors of the grill. It’s SO good!

 

Chicken sitting in marinade.

 

What Ingredients are in Grilled Chicken Carbonara?

This delicious and creamy chicken carbonara recipe takes ingredients you can find in any grocery stores! 

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Olive Oil & Vinegars: For that perfect Italian marinade.
  • Garlic: Brings in the spicy punch.
  • Chicken Breasts: The star of the show, grilled to perfection.
  • Bacon: Adds a smoky flavor and delightful crunch.
  • Onion & Minced Garlic: Base for our creamy sauce.
  • Eggs: Essential for the traditional carbonara sauce.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Offers a hard cheese texture and rich flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Gives our sauce its creamy consistency.
  • Frozen Peas: Adds color and just a pop of freshness.
  • Spaghetti: The best pasta to soak up all that delicious flavor.
  • Salt and Black Pepper: Don’t forget the seasoning!

Pro tip: 

  • For the creamiest carbonara, combine eggs and cheese well. Be sure there are no lumps!

 

marinated chicken in skillet ready to cook

 

How to Make Grilled Chicken Carbonara

Picky eaters are going to make this one of their new favorite dishes! Here’s how to make it:

  1. Grill chicken.
  2. Get that pasta boiling in a large pot of salted water.
  3. In a large skillet, with a little bacon fat, sauté onions and garlic.
  4. Whisk together eggs, cheese, and cream for our carbonara sauce.
  5. Combine pasta, sauce, meat, and veggies.
  6. Toss in the grilled chicken, and voila, dinner is served!

Pro tip: 

  • Always reserve a cup of the pasta water before draining. It gives you just the right consistency on the sauce.
  • Marinate your chicken for that deep, delicious flavor, before you grill it.
  • Use direct heat when grilling for those nice char marks.
  • Cook the pasta until al dente.

 

eggs, parmesan cheese, heavy cream, salt and pepper mixed up in a bowl and being poured over cooked spaghetti noodles.

 

How to Cook Chicken for Grilled Chicken Carbonara

First, be sure the grill is at medium high heat. Too high and it’ll burn. Too low and it’ll take too long to cook. 

Then grill chicken for about 2-3 minutes each side until fully cooked and juicy inside.

You’ll want to make sure it gets to 165 degrees inside. You can check that with a meat thermometer.

You can also sacrifice one of the pieces of chicken and cut it open to make sure it’s fully cooked inside.

 

Onions cooking in bacon grease

 

How to Store Leftover Grilled Chicken Carbonara

Store any leftover pasta carbonara in an airtight container and refrigerate. 

It’s a great way to have an easy meal ready for the next time hunger strikes!

Sometimes I’ll make extra just so I can have some quick, easy lunches for the whole week.

 

frozen peas, bacon, onion and garlic added to creamy pasta

 

How to Reheat Grilled Chicken Carbonara

Warm the chicken carbonara on low heat in a sauté pan. 

Add a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist. Otherwise it might dry out.

You can also rewarm it in a microwave in short bursts.

Be careful not to overcook it. You don’t want the chicken to dry out.

 

Sliced grilled chicken added to pasta

 

Can You Freeze Grilled Chicken Carbonara?

You can definitely freeze this hot pasta too!

First, let it cool to room temperature. That’s a must! 

Then put it in an airtight container. There are containers that are freezer safe too. If you’ve got one of those. Do that. 

Then it’s ready to go any time you need a delicious recipe without the effort. Yay!

 

Tossed pasta with chicken in pot, ready to serve

 

What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Carbonara?

Serve grilled chicken carbonara with any traditional Italian foods!

Things like four cheese garlic bread on the side, maybe a kale salad with shallot dressing, or pear gorgonzola pizza for a full Italian feast!

Though you could honestly serve it alone too. It’s a pretty filling meal all on it’s own.

Here are some recipes I think you would love if you want to make something else too:

 

zoomed in image of pasta in bowl ready to eat

 

Can Dogs Eat Grilled Chicken Carbonara?

No, dog’s can’t eat chicken carbonara. It’s best to avoid human foods for dogs in general actually. 

While the grilled chicken is okay, the garlic, onions, and creamy sauce might upset their stomach.

And the chicken is supposed to be marinated before grilling. So it’s really just best to avoid this one all together.

 

side view of 3 bowls of chicken carbonara in bowls ready to eat

 

So, are you hungry yet? This chicken carbonara pasta is a favorite dish that’s stood the test of time in my kitchen. 

It combines delicious flavor, creamy goodness, and that char from the grill, making it a hit for the entire family! 

Give it a shot, and let me know how it turned out in the comment section or on social media. Happy cooking!

 

zoomed in image of pasta in bowl ready to eat

Chicken Carbonara Pasta

Yield: 6 Servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes

Dive into Grilled Chicken Carbonara - a blend of grilled goodness & creamy pasta! Perfect for family dinners or a feast with friends.

Instructions

Italian Chicken Marinade

  1. Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano together.
  2. To marinate chicken, place chicken breasts in large plastic ziploc bag, and pour marinade over them.
  3. Marinate for up to 8 hours.

Chicken Carbonara Pasta

  1. Grill chicken, 2-3 minutes each side.
  2. Start boiling your water for the pasta.
  3. Cook bacon, drain on paper towels, crumble and set aside.
  4. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon grease from pan.
  5. Over medium heat, sauté the onions in the remaining bacon grease until they turn translucent, a few minutes.
  6. Add garlic, and cook for another minute, stirring constantly.
  7. Set onion and garlic mixture aside.
  8. Drop the pasta in boiling water and cook until al dente, according to package directions.
  9. While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, salt and pepper until smooth.
  10. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta. After draining, place the pasta back in the hot pot.
  11. While the pasta is still hot, add half of the egg mixture, stirring the pasta while you are adding it. The sauce will thicken and will coat the pasta.
  12. After adding half of the sauce, add the frozen peas, crumbled bacon, and sautéed onion and garlic mixture.
  13. Add the rest of the sauce, stirring to combine.
  14. Add the reserved 1/2 cup of the pasta water to keep the sauce consistency from being too thick.
  15. Toss with grilled chicken.

Notes

I did not include the marinating time in prep time, because you can use leftover grilled chicken if you choose.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 978Total Fat: 64gSaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 37gCholesterol: 307mgSodium: 1577mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 61g

Originally Posted from Aunt Bee’s Recipes with Permission, May 12, 2017

Photos & Text Updated: February 27, 2024

 

Fast, easy and delicious, this Chicken Carbonara Pasta is a comfort food recipe that is sure to be a hit with the whole family! You can use leftover grilled chicken as well. Chicken | Main Dishes | Pasta | Carbonara | Dinner | Comfort Food

 

Chicken Carbonara Pasta...fast, easy and delicious! Feel free to use leftover grilled chicken as well. Chicken | Main Dishes | Pasta | Carbonara | Dinner | Comfort Food

 

CHICKEN CARBONARA PASTA...easy comfort food the whole family will love! And it's a great way to use up leftover grilled chicken too!

CHICKEN CARBONARA PASTA...easy comfort food the whole family will love! And it's a great way to use up leftover grilled chicken too!

Shauna Marie Heltzel

Tuesday 28th of September 2021

I made this tonight. So delicious!

Janelle

Wednesday 4th of October 2023

So glad it was a hit Shauna!

Erin

Thursday 29th of June 2017

This looks so good, Michelle! I will definitely be making this for my family.

Danielle

Wednesday 14th of June 2017

Love Carbonara! This is a great hearty, delicious recipe - perfect for a nice evening in :-)

DearCreatives (@DearCreatives)

Thursday 1st of June 2017

Oh, yum! Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party @DearCreatives Pinned & shared.

Miz Helen

Tuesday 30th of May 2017

Chicken Carbonara looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday! Hope you are having a great week and come back to see us real soon. Miz Helen

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