It’s simply too darn straightforward to like Hen Carbonara with that velvety sauce, crispy bacon, and pecorino romano cheese. Significantly, how might you not love this dish? And, including rooster to a traditional carbonara makes this meal a bit extra substantial, so it’s not simply loading up on the pasta.
However while you do exactly need 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 traditional pasta to make it extra filling.
- The sauce is velvety clean, 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. Take pleasure in this at your kitchen desk each time the craving hits! Add some rooster to a traditional carbonara and it’s a complete meal prepared in half-hour. You continue to have that wonderful, thick-cut bacon and a velvety egg and cheese sauce. In the event you don’t have pecorino romano, you’ll be able to at all times cheat and use parmesan—we gained’t inform when you gained’t. We do it on a regular basis!
Ingredient Notes


- Thick-Reduce 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 may 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 mixture of egg whites and complete eggs for the right silky clean 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 certain that it’s freshly grated as pre-grated doesn’t soften as easily and might make the sauce gritty.
- Parsley: It’s simply there so as to add a pop of coloration. It’s elective, however makes it look a bit of extra fancy.
Hen Choices
We choose to make use of boneless skinless rooster breasts, however you might at all times use rooster thighs when you choose darkish meat or a fattier minimize 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’ll be able to actually load it up with a cup or two extra. Rotisserie rooster is commonly bought as one thing referred to as a “loss chief” for grocery shops the place they promote the rooster at or under price to get you into the shop and hopefully purchase different issues. Which means rotisserie rooster is commonly the very best worth per pound for rooster you will get. Save a bit of time, save a bit of cash.
Pasta Choices
Spaghetti is the standard alternative for pasta in a carbonara, nonetheless, you don’t must really feel tied to that. You might 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 throughout the cooking course of emulsifies (binds) the elements collectively, making a clean sauce. No clumpy cheese right here. You possibly can at all times use a bit of 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 stuffed 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 a minimum of 1 1/2 cups. Then, you’ll be able to 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 sometimes till warmed via.
Microwave parts on excessive in 30-second increments or till warmed via.