Four Cheese Chicken Carbonara Recipe
This Four Cheese Chicken Carbonara is the ultimate comfort food, offering rich, creamy indulgence in every bite with a blend of four cheeses, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta—guaranteed to become a family favorite!
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Skillet or sauté pan for cooking the chicken and making the sauce
- Mixing bowl for combining ingredients
- Pasta strainer
- Tongs or spoon for tossing pasta and chicken
- Grater for cheese
Ingredients
- 2 skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Gouda cheese
- Salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tsbp butter
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- Prepare the chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the pan, let it rest for a couple of minutes, and then slice it into thin strips.
- Make the creamy sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter (if using) and sauté the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the heavy cream and bring it to a simmer. Stir in ricotta, Parmesan, mozzarella, and Gouda, mixing until the cheese has melted and the sauce becomes smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce gets too thick, you can add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Combine the pasta and chicken: Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy cheese sauce. Let everything heat through for a couple of minutes, then adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Divide the carbonara among plates. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra grated Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Notes
- Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-grated cheese can contain anti-caking agents, which can affect the sauce's texture. Freshly grated cheese will melt better and create a smoother sauce.
- Don't overcook the chicken: To keep the chicken tender and juicy, avoid overcooking it. Aim for a golden-brown crust with a tender, moist interior.
- Adjust the sauce thickness: If the sauce becomes too thick while mixing the cheese, simply add some reserved pasta water to loosen it up. It will help the sauce cling to the pasta better.
- Season as you go: Taste the sauce and pasta as you cook, and adjust the salt and pepper. The cheeses are salty, so be mindful of how much salt you add, especially if you’re using a salted pasta water.
- Make it your own: Feel free to add extra flavors like crushed red pepper flakes for heat or fresh basil for an aromatic finish. This dish is easily customizable to your taste preferences!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Four Cheese Chicken Carbonara Recipe
Serving Size
350 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
650
% Daily Value*
Fat
30
g
46
%
Saturated Fat
15
g
94
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
10
g
Cholesterol
120
mg
40
%
Sodium
920
mg
40
%
Potassium
650
mg
19
%
Carbohydrates
60
g
20
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
3
g
3
%
Protein
35
g
70
%
Vitamin A
1500
IU
30
%
Vitamin C
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
500
mg
50
%
Iron
2.5
mg
14
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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