Description
Chicken and shrimp carbonara is a rich and creamy Italian-inspired pasta dish that combines succulent, golden-browned chicken breast and tender shrimp with a silky sauce made from eggs and Parmesan cheese. This flavorful meal is elevated by sautéed garlic, freshly cracked black pepper, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for freshness, making it a delicious and satisfying dinner option in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 300 grams spaghetti
Proteins
- 200 grams chicken breast, diced
- 200 grams shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 large eggs
Dairy
- 100 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
Produce & Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Black pepper, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, a handful, chopped
Oils & Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt generously. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken breast and cook until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Shrimp and Garlic: In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil if necessary. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add shrimp. Cook the shrimp until pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes. Remove the shrimp and set aside with the chicken.
- Prepare Egg and Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Place the drained spaghetti back into the skillet off the heat to avoid scrambling the eggs. Pour the egg and cheese mixture over the pasta and toss quickly and continuously to create a creamy sauce that coats the pasta evenly. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired creamy consistency is reached.
- Serve: Immediately plate the carbonara and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional black pepper to taste. Enjoy your flavorful chicken and shrimp carbonara!
Notes
- Be careful to toss the pasta off the heat when adding the egg mixture to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
- Reserving pasta water is key to adjusting the sauce consistency, so don’t skip this step.
- You can substitute shrimp or chicken with pancetta or bacon for a more traditional carbonara variation.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- This dish is best served immediately as the sauce thickens upon sitting.
