Quick & Creamy Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Crafting a delightful chicken and shrimp carbonara sparks culinary magic in your kitchen.

Pasta lovers find comfort in this creamy Italian classic with a seafood twist.

Silky strands intertwine perfectly with succulent proteins, creating a symphony of flavors.

Rich egg-based sauce coats each ingredient, delivering an indulgent dining experience.

Parmesan cheese adds a sharp, salty complexity that makes every bite memorable.

Home cooks can easily master this restaurant-worthy dish with simple techniques.

You’ll want to savor each forkful of this luxurious meal that promises pure satisfaction.

Tasty Options For Creamy Chicken And Shrimp Carbonara Recipe A Delicious Twist

• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Replace chicken and shrimp with firm tofu, tempeh, or plant-based protein cubes, sautéed until golden and crispy for a meatless version.
• Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Edition: Substitute traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the creamy carbonara flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free pasta or alternative grain noodles like chickpea or rice pasta, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive individuals.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Add sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and swap Parmesan for feta cheese to create a Mediterranean-style carbonara with bright, fresh flavors.

What Goes Well With Creamy Chicken And Shrimp Carbonara Recipe A Delicious Twist

• Elevate Pasta with Perfect Pairings
• Crisp White Wine Companion: Pair this creamy carbonara with a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness and complement the seafood and chicken flavors.
• Refreshing Side Salad Boost: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the heavy carbonara, adding bright, zesty notes that cleanse the palate between bites.
• Rustic Garlic Bread Delight: Serve toasted garlic bread with herb-infused olive oil, providing a crunchy texture that perfectly absorbs the creamy sauce and adds an extra layer of flavor.

Storing Creamy Chicken And Shrimp Carbonara Recipe A Delicious Twist

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odors from affecting the dish.
• Transfer carbonara to freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing as the cream sauce may separate or become grainy upon thawing.
• Gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of cream or reserved pasta water to restore creamy texture. Stir constantly to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Reheat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. Add a small amount of milk or cream to help revive the sauce's consistency.

Answering Your Questions About Creamy Chicken And Shrimp Carbonara Recipe A Delicious Twist

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can swap spaghetti or fettuccine with linguine, penne, or bucatini. Just ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to maintain the right texture with the creamy sauce.

• Is it okay to use pre-cooked chicken?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken works perfectly. Just dice it into bite-sized pieces before adding to the skillet.

• How can I make this recipe lighter?

To reduce calories, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, substitute turkey bacon for regular bacon, and use egg whites instead of whole eggs. These simple swaps can make the dish slightly healthier.

Why People Rave About Creamy Chicken And Shrimp Carbonara Recipe A Delicious Twist

• Unleash Flavor Variety: Combine chicken and shrimp for a protein-packed dish that breaks traditional carbonara boundaries, delivering a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
• Streamline Cooking Process: Prepare this restaurant-quality meal using just one skillet, minimizing cleanup and making cooking hassle-free for busy home chefs.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adjust ingredients to match personal preferences or dietary needs, allowing flexibility without compromising taste and texture.
• Impress Without Stress: Create a gourmet-style dinner that looks complicated but requires minimal culinary skills, perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their meal game.

What’s Inside Creamy Chicken And Shrimp Carbonara Recipe A Delicious Twist

• Chicken: Tender and pre-cooked protein that adds substantial texture to the carbonara.
• Shrimp: Succulent seafood that brings a delicate marine flavor to the dish.
• Bacon or Pancetta: Crispy meat that provides a rich, salty crunch and deep flavor base.

• Spaghetti or Fettuccine: Classic Italian pasta that serves as the foundation of the carbonara.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth and luxurious sauce that coats the pasta.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a sharp, salty depth and helps thicken the sauce.
• Eggs: Provide silky texture and help bind the sauce together.

• Garlic, Salt, Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.
• Fresh Parsley or Italian Seasoning: Optional garnish that adds a fresh, herbal note to the final dish.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps create a perfectly emulsified sauce consistency.

How To Make Creamy Chicken And Shrimp Carbonara Recipe A Delicious Twist

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Drop spaghetti or fettuccine into the pot and cook until perfectly al dente. Carefully scoop out one cup of pasta water before draining the noodles completely. Set pasta aside for later use.

Step 2: Crisp the Bacon

Heat a large skillet over medium flame. Add chopped bacon and cook until it becomes wonderfully crispy and golden brown. Transfer the crisp bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping the delicious bacon drippings in the skillet.

Step 3: Sauté Seafood and Protein

• Peeled and deveined shrimp
• Diced cooked chicken

Cook for 3-4 minutes until shrimp turns a beautiful pink color and is fully cooked through.

Step 4: Whip Up the Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Eggs
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Season the mixture with salt and pepper, whisking until smooth and well-blended.

Step 5: Create the Perfect Carbonara

Pour the creamy egg mixture over the pasta in the skillet. Gently toss everything together, gradually adding reserved pasta water to achieve a silky, luxurious sauce consistency. Stir continuously to prevent scrambling the eggs.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top of the dish. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Transfer to serving plates immediately and enjoy the rich, creamy goodness of this decadent pasta creation.

Best Tips For Creamy Chicken And Shrimp Carbonara Recipe A Delicious Twist

• Pasta Water Trick: Reserve the starchy pasta water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to the noodles.
• Timing is Key: Cook shrimp just until pink to prevent rubbery texture and maintain delicate, tender meat.
• Egg Mixture Magic: Whisk eggs and cream quickly and thoroughly to prevent scrambling and ensure a creamy, luxurious sauce.
• Bacon Brilliance: Use crispy bacon as a final garnish to add a crunchy texture and smoky flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Temperature Control: Remove skillet from heat when adding egg mixture to prevent scrambling and maintain a velvety smooth carbonara sauce.

Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Indulgent chicken and shrimp carbonara blends Italian comfort with oceanic richness, creating a creamy pasta masterpiece. Parmesan, crisp pancetta, and a silky egg sauce invite you to savor each luxurious, flavor-packed bite.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 cup (170 grams) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup (150 grams) cooked chicken, diced
• 4 ounces (115 grams) bacon or pancetta, chopped
• 2 large eggs

Pasta and Dairy:

• 8 ounces (225 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or Italian seasoning for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot with salted water, bringing it to a rolling boil at high heat. Cook pasta until perfectly al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Carefully reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining completely.
2. In a spacious skillet over medium heat, render bacon until golden and crisp. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, preserving the rendered fat in the pan.
3. Introduce minced garlic to the bacon drippings, sautéing for 30 seconds until aromatic. Immediately add shrimp and pre-cooked chicken, cooking for 3-4 minutes until shrimp transforms to a vibrant pink hue.
4. Whisk together heavy cream, eggs, and Parmesan cheese in a separate mixing bowl. Season the mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
5. Pour the creamy egg mixture over the pasta in the skillet. Rapidly toss ingredients, gradually incorporating reserved pasta water to create a silky, luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
6. Finish the dish by scattering crispy bacon fragments across the top. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and added freshness. Serve piping hot, directly from the skillet for maximum enjoyment.

Notes

• Check pasta doneness by tasting a strand to ensure it’s perfectly al dente, avoiding mushy texture.
• Reserve pasta water before draining, as its starchy quality helps create a silky, clingy sauce that coats every strand.
• Keep heat low when mixing egg mixture to prevent scrambling, creating a smooth, luxurious carbonara consistency.
• Use fresh, high-quality Parmesan cheese for a more intense, authentic flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg