Giada's Chicken Carbonara

Submitted by Ria Bia

"This is one of my favorite pasta dishes. It's creamy and rich and food network's Giada has the perfect recipe!"

 

• Ready In: 22mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta (chopped)
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 1⁄2 cups whipping cream
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 8 large egg yolks
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh basil leaf
• 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
• salt
• 1 lb spaghetti
• 4 cups coarsely shredded chicken (from 1 roasted chicken)
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel

directions

1. Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and garlic and saute until it is brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Cool slightly.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, cheese, yolks, basil, and parsley to blend.
3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook until it is just tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Drain.
4. Add the chicken to the pan with the pancetta and stir to combine. Next, add the spaghetti and the cream mixture and toss over medium-low heat until the chicken is heated through and the sauce coats the spaghetti thickly, about 4 minutes (do not boil or you might end up scrambling the eggs). Season the pasta, to taste, with pepper and salt if needed (the pancetta will likely add all the salt you need). Transfer the pasta to a large wide serving bowl. Sprinkle the walnuts and lemon zest over, and serve.

Reviews

[Sallie H]

We also make this with leftover smoked chicken after my husband has run the smoker. Then we don't use pancetta, but do often use a little canadian bacon. Never leave out the lemon peel/zest. Sometimes a little extra really adds to the dish. Also great to feed a crowd.