Chicken Rigatoni Carbonara

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Chicken rigatoni carbonara is an easy, delcious pasta dish the whole family will love. Tender chicken, vegetables, noodles, and cheese make a super flavorful dinner.

Closeup shot of rigatoni carbonara on plate

I love combining pasta and chicken, and normally, I do it with a creamy sauce. This time, around, I wanted to try something different. That's why I put together this carbonara pasta recipe with chicken. It's amazing. Although the ingredients are simple, there's a terrific depth of flavor to this dish, and everyone who's had it absolutely loves it.

This dish may be a full meal on its own, but it's even better when you pair it with a nice salad and some delicious dinner rolls.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's a simple recipe that's rustic and delicious.
  • It's loaded with Italian flavors and vegetables.
  • It's filling and satisfying.
  • It's a healthy dish that everyone loves.
Closeup shot of chicken rigatoni carobnara in bowl

Rigatoni Carbonara Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that you can find easily at your local grocery store. You probably already have many of them in your kitchen right now.

  • Chopped bacon
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Onion
  • Green peppers
  • Red peppers
  • Carrots
  • Mushrooms
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Chicken broth
  • Eggs
  • Rigatoni

The above ingredients are what give this recipe all its great flavor. You'll find the full ingredient list along with amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Rigatoni Carbonara

There are a few steps to this recipe, but they're all very easy when you break them down. I'm covering all the major points below. For the full instructions, see the recipe card at the end of the post.

Overhead shot of individual rigatoni carbonara ingredients in bowls on table

1: Cook the pasta according to the package direction for al dente and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

2: Cook the bacon until crispy and transfer to a plate.

Overhead shot of bacon in skillet

3: Reserve some bacon grease and cook the chicken in it until it's no longer pink. Set aside.

Overhead shot of chicken being cooked in skillet

4: Add the mushroom and onions to the skillet and cook until tender.

Overhead shot of mushroom and onions in skillet

5: Add the remaining vegetables and broth and simmer until it thickens.

Overhead shot of vegetables in skillet
Closeup shot of chicken broth being poured into skillet with vegetables

6: Whisk the eggs and cheese together in a large pot, then slowly add the skillet mixture.

Overhead shot of eggs and cheese in pot
Closeup overhead shot of vegetables, eggs, and cheese mixture in pot

7: Add the pasta, chicken, and bacon to the pot and stir until coated.

Closeup overhead shot of chicken and bacon in skillet

8: Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!

Closeup shot of chicken rigatoni carbonara in bowl

Substitutions and Variations

  • Turkey and pork work well with this recipe.
  • You can use any short noodles you like in this dish.
  • Pancetta is a delicious alternative to bacon.

If you think this pasta dish looks tasty, then you should check out my Buffalo chicken pasta recipe. You might also like this Instant Pot BBQ chicken pasta, too!

Equipment

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowls
  • Skillet
  • Pot
  • Whisk

Storage

Refrigerator: Store this in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: For longer storage, freeze in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheat: Place the rigatoni carbonara in a baking dish with a bit of water or broth. Bake covered at 350 until heated through.

What to Serve with Rigatoni Carbonara

This delicious pasta dish is a complete meal all on its own, but that doesn't mean you should serve it all by its lonesome. A side salad and rolls make a great meal. You might also consider the following ideas.

Tips:

  • Add the veggie mixture to the egg and cheese mixture slowly to avoid scrambling the eggs.
  • The bacon grease adds a ton of flavor to your chicken and vegetables, so be sure you use it.
  • Never cook your pasta past al dente. You don't want it mushy.
Rigatoni carbonara on plate

FAQ

What is pasta carbonara?

It's any pasta dish made with eggs, hard cheese, black pepper, and cured pork like bacon or pancetta.

Why do you cook with bacon grease?

Bacon grease is perfect for cooking in place of butter. Make eggs, brown meats, and more with it. It solidifies when refrigerated, so it can even be used in place of butter in things like biscuits.

What is al dente?

Al dente is the reigning kind of pasta texture. Pasta cooked to al dente will be soft but still have a firmness or "bite" to it.

Closeup shot of rigatoni carbonara on plate.

More Pasta Recipes

More Pasta Recipes You'll Love

Ready to cook this recipe? Then print the recipe card below.

Yield: 6 servings

Chicken Rigatoni Carbonara

Chicken Rigatoni Carbonara

Chicken rigatoni carbonara is loaded with tender white meat chicken, bacon, rigatoni, and Italian seasonings for a delicious dinner.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon, chopped
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • ½ diced green peppers
  • ½ diced red peppers
  • 3/4 cup shredded carrots
  • 8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • salt - to taste
  • pepper - to taste
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta, prepared according to package directions
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

Instructions

  1. Prepare pasta of your choice according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of cooking water. Drain pasta and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towel. Set aside.
  3. Pour some bacon grease out of pan and into a small bowl, leaving 2 tablespoons in the skillet.
  4. Heat grease until it shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances.
  5. Place chicken in heated grease.  Salt and pepper it.
  6. Cook chicken in bacon grease until it is no longer pink inside.  This will take about 6-8 minutes.
  7. Transfer chicken to a plate lined with paper towel. Set aside.
  8. Add mushrooms and onions to skillet. Cook until tender.  Add more bacon fat if you need to.
  9. Next, add garlic, parsley, carrots, and peppers.  Stir to combine. 
  10. Add chicken broth and simmer until it thickens.  This will only take a few minutes.
  11. In a large pot, whisk eggs and cheese together.
  12. Slowly pour skillet mixture into egg mixture.
  13. Add pasta, chicken and bacon to the pot.
  14. Toss until well-coated.
  15. Add reserved pasta water, if needed, to thin the sauce.
  16. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
  17. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 912Total Fat 46gSaturated Fat 19gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 25gCholesterol 358mgSodium 2346mgCarbohydrates 40gFiber 4gSugar 4gProtein 79g

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