Creamy, rich, and comforting — this Chicken Carbonara with bow tie pasta brings together all the elements of a satisfying meal: tender chicken breast, crispy bacon, sweet peas, and a velvety parmesan cream sauce. It’s one of those easy chicken dinners that feels both indulgent and balanced. Whether you’re looking for a cozy weeknight meal or an impressive dish for guests, this carbonara recipe delivers.
Looking for more cream-based pasta dinners? Check out this creamy chicken pasta from AllRecipes that also incorporates parmesan and bacon magic in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
-
2–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
1 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta:
-
16 oz bow tie pasta (farfalle)
-
Salted water for boiling
For the Carbonara Sauce:
-
5 strips of bacon, chopped
-
1–2 cups sweet peas (fresh or frozen)
-
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
-
1 cup chicken broth
-
3/4 cup milk
-
1/4 cup heavy cream
-
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
-
Optional: minced garlic, red pepper flakes
Directions
1. Cook the Pasta
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
-
Cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
-
Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Prepare the Chicken
-
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
-
In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat.
-
Sear the chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
-
Remove from the skillet and let rest. Slice before serving.
3. Crisp the Bacon
-
In the same skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy.
-
Remove bacon and set aside, reserving 1–2 tbsp of bacon fat.
4. Make the Cream Sauce
-
To the skillet with the bacon fat, whisk in flour to form a roux.
-
Slowly pour in chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream, whisking continuously.
-
Simmer until the sauce thickens (about 5–8 minutes).
-
Stir in shredded Parmesan cheese, then add peas and crispy bacon.
5. Combine Everything
-
Add cooked pasta into the sauce.
-
Toss until well coated. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
-
Top with sliced chicken breast.
-
Garnish with cracked pepper, extra parmesan, and parsley.
Tips & Variations
-
Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Searing and resting the chicken ensures it stays juicy inside.
-
Use Fresh Parmesan: For a creamier melt and sharper flavor.
-
Make It Lighter: Use whole milk or half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
-
Add a Kick: A pinch of chili flakes or black pepper brings warmth to the creamy sauce.
-
Try Other Pasta: Penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine work perfectly with carbonara sauce.
For more creamy comfort food, try Delish’s bacon pasta carbonara or this veggie-loaded option from EatingWell.
Storage & Reheating
-
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
-
Freezer: Not recommended as the cream sauce may separate.
-
Reheating: Use a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of milk or broth to bring the sauce back to life.
Time & Yield
-
Prep Time: 15 minutes
-
Cook Time: 30 minutes
-
Total Time: 45 minutes
-
Servings: 4–6 portions
Tools You’ll Need
-
Large pot for pasta
-
Deep skillet or sauté pan
-
Whisk
-
Tongs
-
Knife and cutting board
-
Cheese grater (for fresh Parmesan)
High-CPC SEO Keywords in Use
This recipe article includes the following high-CPC keywords for better Google visibility and ad monetization:
-
chicken carbonara recipe
-
creamy chicken pasta
-
easy pasta dinners with chicken
-
carbonara with bacon and peas
-
homemade parmesan sauce
-
low-cost pasta meals
-
chicken and bacon pasta
-
best pasta for weeknight dinners
These keywords help you compete for valuable search traffic in food blogs, YouTube captions, and Pinterest pins.
External Recipe References
To strengthen trust and SEO signals, here are references to similar high-authority recipes:
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Carbonara is a beautiful combination of classic Italian flavor and American comfort food. The bacon and parmesan sauce coat every bow tie with richness, while peas add color and sweetness. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a meal for entertaining, it’s simple enough to make, yet fancy enough to impress.
Looking for more recipes that combine protein, pasta, and creamy sauces? Explore dozens of chicken-based dinners at BrandiRecipes.com or dive into a world of pasta comfort at Tasty and AllRecipes.
Chicken Carbonara with Bow Tie Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear in a skillet with olive oil for 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and slice.
- In the same skillet, cook chopped bacon until crisp. Set aside, reserving some bacon fat.
- Add flour to bacon fat and whisk for 1 minute. Slowly stir in broth, milk, and cream until smooth.
- Simmer for 5–8 minutes until thick. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
- Add peas and bacon to the sauce. Stir well.
- Add pasta and toss to coat. Loosen with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Top with sliced chicken, garnish with extra cheese, pepper, and parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
- Substitute ground chicken or turkey for variety.
- Add jalapeños or chili flakes for a spicy version.
- Use fresh Parmesan for maximum flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. ## Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes ## Servings
4–6 servings ## Category
Dinner ## Cuisine
Italian-American ## Keywords
chicken carbonara, creamy pasta recipe, bow tie pasta, parmesan cream sauce, bacon and peas pasta, chicken pasta dinner