It’s simply too darn straightforward to like Hen Carbonara with that velvety sauce, crispy bacon, and pecorino romano cheese. Severely, how may you not love this dish? And, including rooster to a basic carbonara makes this meal a bit extra substantial, so it’s not simply loading up on the pasta.
However if you just do wish to load up on the pasta, go for our Genuine Pasta Carbonara.

Why Our Recipe
- Prepared in simply half-hour which is ideal for weeknight dinners.
- Deliciously juicy rooster provides to the basic pasta to make it extra filling.
- The sauce is velvety easy, made with eggs, pasta water, and pecorino romano cheese.


No want to attend for a special day to order this at your favourite Italian restaurant when you notice how straightforward it’s to make. Get pleasure from this at your kitchen desk every time the craving hits! Add some rooster to a basic carbonara and it’s a complete meal prepared in half-hour. You continue to have that superb, thick-cut bacon and a velvety egg and cheese sauce. In the event you don’t have pecorino romano, you possibly can at all times cheat and use parmesan—we received’t inform if you happen to received’t. We do it on a regular basis!
Ingredient Notes


- Thick-Minimize Bacon: You possibly can at all times substitute pancetta for bacon which is the genuine ingredient. Pancetta isn’t at all times as straightforward to return by and could be dearer, so we default to bacon as the higher possibility for many of our viewers.
- Hen Breasts: Boneless, skinless rooster breasts are nice for this recipe. Cube into bite-sized items.
- Eggs: You’ll need giant grade AA eggs for this recipe. You’ll use a mix of egg whites and entire eggs for the proper silky easy sauce.
- Spaghetti: Simply use from the field. Cook dinner to al dente, tender however agency.
- Pecorino Romano Cheese: You possibly can simply substitute with parmesan cheese. Simply be sure it’s freshly grated as pre-grated doesn’t soften as easily and may make the sauce gritty.
- Parsley: It’s simply there so as to add a pop of shade. It’s elective, however makes it look somewhat extra fancy.
Hen Choices
We favor to make use of boneless skinless rooster breasts, however you could possibly at all times use rooster thighs if you happen to favor darkish meat or a fattier lower of rooster. These boneless skinless rooster thighs are at all times juicier than the breasts.
Time & Cash Saver
You possibly can simply use leftover rooster or shredded rotisserie rooster on this recipe. You’ll want about 2 cups or you possibly can actually load it up with a cup or two extra. Rotisserie rooster is usually offered as one thing known as a “loss chief” for grocery shops the place they promote the rooster at or beneath price to get you into the shop and hopefully purchase different issues. Because of this rotisserie rooster is usually the very best value per pound for rooster you may get. Save somewhat time, save somewhat cash.
Pasta Choices
Spaghetti is the normal alternative for pasta in a carbonara, nevertheless, you don’t have to really feel tied to that. You may use nearly any lengthy, skinny pasta form. Different favorites are linguine, fettuccine, and bucatini.


Pasta Water
Pasta water is the key weapon when combining pasta and cheese. The starch that’s pulled from the pasta through the cooking course of emulsifies (binds) the elements collectively, making a easy sauce. No clumpy cheese right here. You possibly can at all times use somewhat extra pasta water to regulate the thickness of your sauce as wanted.
Wait till the final minute to get your pasta water in order that the water is filled with starch. Dip the sting of a glass 2-cup measuring cup into the pot of pasta water and fill the cup, ensuring you get no less than 1 1/2 cups. Then, you possibly can go forward and drain your pasta.
Storage & Reheating Directions
Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
Reheat in a saucepan on medium-low warmth. Add a little bit of water and stir often till warmed by way of.
Microwave parts on excessive in 30-second increments or till warmed by way of.