This homemade creamy Chicken Carbonara Recipe is the ultimate pasta recipe. Chicken and shrimp smothered in a homemade carbonara sauce. This one-pan meal is perfect for busy evenings and ready in just 30 minutes.

You can’t go wrong with a one-pan meal, especially when pasta is involved. The hearty Chicken with Mac & Cheese and our simple Cajun Chicken Pasta are just as wonderful.

Chicken carbonara with shrimp in a skillet with pasta topped with fresh greens.

what is chicken carbonara?

Classic carbonara is made with eggs, cream and Parmesan. We put a little twist on the traditional recipe and you’d never know, it tastes just as wonderful!

This recipe is inspired by Olive Garden’s Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara. The homemade version is so much better and for a fraction of the price. The juicy chicken with shrimp and bacon make for a wonderful combination with the pasta and rich carbonara sauce.

Creamy carbonara chicken and shrimp in a skillet with a spoon topped with fresh greens.

how to make chicken carbonara-

  • Cook pasta according to package instruction and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, sauté the bacon. Remove from skillet and reserve 1 Tbsp grease.
  • In the same skillet, cook the shrimp 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway, until shrimp is opaque and pink. Remove shrimp and add to the bacon. TIP: Be sure to remove the tail and devein shrimp before cooking.
  • In a bowl, combine the ingredients for the chicken coating. Cut chicken breasts in half and dredge in the coating.
  • Sauté the chicken on both sides until crispy and fully cooked. Remove chicken from skillet.
How to make shrimp chicken carbonara pasta with bacon.
  • In the same skillet, sauté the onions with garlic and diced tomatoes. Stir in the half and half, broth and parmesan cheese. Stirring frequently, cook until sauce thickens.
  • Cut the chicken into cubes or slice in strands. Add the chicken, bacon, and shrimp to the sauce. Stir and cook until reheated.
  • Serve the chicken and shrimp carbonara over pasta, or, add the pasta to the skillet and stir until all is combined.
How to saute the chicken and shrimp for this simple chicken Carbonara recipe.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-

What kind of pasta can I use for carbonara?

Though we used spaghetti in this carbonara recipe, you can use your favorite pasta. You can use fettuccine, angel hair, penne pasta, and rigatoni!

How do I store carbonara?

Store the leftover carbonara in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to reheat chicken pasta carbonara?

To reheat the carbonara, just add to a skillet and cook until reheated, stirring frequently. You may need to add a few tablespoons of half and half if the sauce is too thick.

One pan chicken carbonara pasta in a skillet with bread slices and fresh greens.

This surprisingly easy carbonara is so quick to make. Not only is great for a quick dinner, but it’s also the perfect meal to make for a special occasion or if you are entertaining guests.

OTHER 30-MINUTE MEALS:

Chicken Carbonara Recipe

Author: Valentina
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4.80 from 15 votes
Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Recipe. Sauteed chicken and shrimp smothered in the most delicious homemade carbonara sauce served with pasta. An easy 30-minute meal.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 10 oz pasta
  • 1 1/2 lb chicken breasts boneless skinless, halved (about 2 breasts)
  • 8 oz bacon, chopped & cooked
  • 1/2 lb raw shrimp
  • 2 Tbsp reserved bacon grease, divided
  • 3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided

carbonara sauce-

  • 1/2 large onion, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes, cubed
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups half & half
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

chicken coating-

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and cover to keep warm.
  • Cut and cook the bacon, reserve 2 Tbsp of the bacon grease.
  • In a skillet, cook the raw shrimp with 1 Tbsp butter until fully cooked. Remove from skillet.
  • In a small bowl combine all the ingredients for the chicken coating.
  • Cut the chicken breast in half. Fully dredge the 4 chicken fillets in the chicken coating.
  • In the same skillet, fry the chicken fillets with 1 Tbsp bacon grease and 1 Tbsp butter until fully cooked. Remove chicken from skillet. Cut chicken into cubes or strips.
  • In the same skillet, saute the finely chopped onion with 1 Tbsp grease and 1 Tbsp butter.
  • Once the onion is tender add the minced garlic and cubed tomatoes. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth, half and half, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper (to taste) to the skillet.
  • Cook the sauce until the sauce thickens.
  • Add the shrimp, bacon and chicken back to the carbonara sauce.
  • Serve over pasta or mix the cooked pasta into the sauce. If serving over pasta, be sure pasta is reheated.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

641.07kcal Calories47.97g Carbs38.74g Protein31.85g Fat11.62g Saturated Fat188.38mg Cholesterol968.14mg Sodium670.28mg Potassium1.96g Fiber8.91g Sugar421.4IU Vitamin A6.83mg Vitamin C168.71mg Calcium2.18mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Carbonara Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 641.07 Calories from Fat 287
% Daily Value*
Fat 31.85g49%
Saturated Fat 11.62g73%
Cholesterol 188.38mg63%
Sodium 968.14mg42%
Potassium 670.28mg19%
Carbohydrates 47.97g16%
Fiber 1.96g8%
Sugar 8.91g10%
Protein 38.74g77%
Vitamin A 421.4IU8%
Vitamin C 6.83mg8%
Calcium 168.71mg17%
Iron 2.18mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)