Make your favorite restaurant-style chicken and shrimp carbonara right in your kitchen. The homemade version tastes even better than what you get at restaurants. This creamy pasta dish features tender chicken breast and large shrimp in a silky sauce that your family will love.
The best part? You can whip up this satisfying meal in just 25 minutes with basic pantry items. Each serving packs 776 calories and serves 4 people. The luxurious sauce combines heavy cream, egg yolks, garlic, onions, bacon, and parmesan cheese. You can add mushrooms or asparagus based on your priorities to make it your own.
Let’s create the perfect chicken and shrimp carbonara together. This piece shows you everything about making a restaurant-quality dish at home. You’ll discover the key ingredients and expert tips to become skilled at this Italian-inspired classic.
Table of Contents
What is Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara?
Carbonara, a classic Roman pasta dish, has substantially evolved through Italian-American cuisine. Traditional carbonara gets its signature creaminess from egg yolks, cheese, and pasta water, while chicken and shrimp carbonara takes a delightful new direction.
Olive Garden we developed and popularized this variation that turns the traditional recipe into something more indulgent. This version’s most striking difference is its sauce – rather than eggs, it uses a rich cream-based alfredo sauce that captures distinctive carbonara flavors.
Several unique components set this dish apart from its Roman ancestor. Juicy chicken breast pieces and tender shrimp create a protein-rich combination that satisfies uniquely. Crispy bacon takes the place of traditional guanciale, and sliced red bell peppers add both color and flavor to the plate.
The sauce blends heavy cream and carefully chosen cheeses harmoniously. Some versions use both Pecorino Romano’s sharp taste and Parmesan’s smooth depth, while others focus on a single cheese variety. Though this interpretation differs from authentic Italian carbonara, it has created its own identity as a beloved Italian-American fusion dish.
The dish excels at balancing multiple flavors and textures. Argentinian shrimp’s sweetness, chicken breast’s tenderness, and bacon’s crispiness create a delightful interplay of tastes. Each strand of pasta gets perfectly coated with silky-smooth sauce, while garlic and onion enhance the overall flavor profile.
This interpretation shows how culinary traditions can evolve yet remain comforting. It’s a luxurious pasta dish that has earned its place as a celebrated menu item, despite differing from its Italian roots. The cream-based sauce combined with dual proteins and vegetables creates an experience that feels both familiar and innovative.
Read also: Fried Fish and Shrimp Recipe
Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This delectable pasta dish combines tender proteins with a rich, creamy sauce that creates an exceptional dining experience. The recipe blends Italian-American flavors with restaurant-quality techniques to create a memorable meal.
The dish showcases crispy chicken pieces and succulent shrimp in a rich, bacon-infused Parmesan cream sauce. Al dente pasta, red peppers, and fresh herbs come together to create an elegant yet comforting meal that your family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 slices smoked bacon, diced
- 16 ounces linguine pasta
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 large egg yolks
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 medium onion, diced
- Red bell peppers, sliced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound chicken to ½-inch thickness and cut it into 3-inch strips.
- Cook the Pasta: Boiling salted water should cook pasta until al dente. Save ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the Proteins: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The chicken needs 6-8 minutes to cook with garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook shrimp until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook bacon until crispy and save 1 tablespoon of drippings.
- Make the Sauce: The pan with bacon drippings needs heavy cream and garlic. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half.
- Combine Components: Mix butter, Parmesan cheese, crumbled bacon, and parsley into the cream mixture. Add enough reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Final Assembly: Mix the shrimp, pasta, red peppers, and chicken together until everything combines well.
Notes
- Heavy whipping cream works best – regular whipping cream has a different fat percentage that affects the results.
- Italian-made Parmigiano Reggiano provides better results than imitations that might clump.
- The pasta water’s starch helps thicken the sauce and makes it cling to noodles better.
- Constant whisking prevents the cream and eggs from scrambling.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Seafood
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Popular Additions to Shrimp and Chicken Carbonara
Your chicken and shrimp carbonara can become an exciting culinary adventure. The cream sauce works magic with many ingredients, so you can create your own special version of this classic dish.
Italian sausage makes a great substitute for shrimp. The dish works perfectly fine without any meat too – vegetarians can still enjoy its creamy goodness.
Rich flavors shine even brighter when you add these vegetables:
- Sautéed portobello mushrooms give an earthy depth
- Fresh asparagus spears add a crisp texture
- Sweet garden peas create beautiful color contrast
- Crisp broccoli florets boost nutrition
- Roasted red peppers bring subtle sweetness
Pasta choice can make your meal even more special. Traditional recipes call for spaghetti, but fettuccine or rotini work great too. Rotini’s spiral shape catches more of that delicious sauce in every bite.
This dish’s adaptability really shows in its garnishing options. Chopped walnuts add unexpected crunch, while grated lemon peel brightens up the rich sauce. Fresh basil and parsley do more than just look pretty – they bring wonderful aromas to each forkful.
Turkey bacon can replace traditional bacon if you want a lighter meal, though you’ll get less rendered fat. Some cooks skip heavy cream altogether and use eggs to create that signature creamy texture.
These tweaks keep the dish’s comfort-food charm while fitting different eating priorities. Serve it with garlic bread or pair it with a crisp side salad – your unique version of chicken and shrimp carbonara will hit the spot every time.
Read also: Shrimp Head Recipe
Health Benefits of Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
Chicken and shrimp carbonara delivers an impressive 64 grams of protein per serving that meets 128% of daily protein requirements. This rich protein content helps maintain and build muscle.
The dish has a balanced mix of macronutrients. Each serving delivers 75 grams of carbohydrates – 27% of what you need daily. The dish also has 3 grams of dietary fiber that meets 11% of daily fiber needs.
The dish’s fat content reaches 91 grams of total fat, with 47 grams of saturated fat. Seafood’s healthy fats enhance the overall nutritional profile and support brain function and cellular health.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the main nutritional components:
| Nutrient | Amount | Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1,370 | – |
| Total Fat | 91g | 117% |
| Saturated Fat | 47g | 235% |
| Carbohydrates | 75g | 27% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 11% |
| Sugars | 10g | – |
| Protein | 64g | 128% |
The dish has 2,050mg of sodium, which needs attention if you monitor salt intake. A single serving packs 1,370 calories, making it a hefty meal you can share or portion carefully.
You can create a healthier version that cuts calories to about 500 per serving. This lighter option keeps the protein-rich profile while reducing saturated fat to 10 grams per serving.
Lean protein from chicken breast and shrimp provides up to 82% of the USDA recommended daily protein intake. This makes the dish valuable especially when you have high protein goals in your diet.
These key points help maximize health benefits while managing portions:
- The balanced macronutrient profile provides lasting energy
- High protein content supports muscle maintenance and recovery
- Seafood adds essential nutrients
Knowledge of these nutritional elements helps you make smart choices about portion sizes and how often to enjoy this flavorful dish while keeping your diet balanced.
References:
– Eat This Much
– Nutribit
Nutrition Facts About Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
Knowing what’s in your chicken and shrimp carbonara helps you make better food choices. Let’s break down the nutrients in this popular dish.
A standard serving packs 1,390 calories. Here’s how the main nutrients stack up:
| Nutrient | Amount | Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 94g | 145% |
| Saturated Fat | 50g | 250% |
| Trans Fat | 3g | – |
| Total Carbohydrates | 75g | 25% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugars | 10g | – |
| Protein | 64g | 128% |
| Cholesterol | 405mg | 135% |
| Sodium | 2,050mg | 85% |
The calories come from three sources: 60.3% fat, 21.4% carbohydrates, and 18.3% protein. This makes it a high-fat dish.
Want to burn off one serving (1,370 calories)? You’ll need to:
- Walk at 3mph for 369 minutes
- Run at 6mph for 132 minutes
- Bike at 10mph for 190 minutes
You can make a healthier version at home. A modified recipe cuts the calories to about 500 per serving and gives you:
- 41g of protein
- 25g of fat
- 30g of carbohydrates
The dish is rich in several key nutrients:
- Calcium: 457mg
- Iron: 6mg
- Potassium: 539mg
- Vitamin A: 1,240 IU
- Vitamin C: 11mg
Watch out for the sodium – it packs 2,050mg, which is 85% of what you need daily. The 405mg of cholesterol is also high at 135% of daily limits.
On a 2,000-calorie diet, this dish gives you plenty of nutrients. The high protein helps maintain muscles, but you might want to eat it in moderation because of its fat and sodium content.
Read also: Nabeta Fish Recipe
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
Making the perfect chicken and shrimp carbonara needs careful attention and proper technique. Even seasoned cooks struggle with this beloved dish. Here’s a detailed guide to help you avoid common mistakes and get restaurant-quality results.
We messed up most often by overcooking the protein. Shrimp becomes rubbery and chicken dries out when they cook too long. You’ll get perfect shrimp if you cook them just until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes on each side. The chicken needs a meat thermometer – take it off the heat once it hits 165°F (74°C).
The sauce’s temperature control is a vital part of the process. Many cooks end up with scrambled eggs because they don’t manage the heat well. The fix is simple – take your skillet off direct heat before you add the egg mixture. Your pasta and pan will still be warm enough to cook the eggs gently without scrambling them.
Your pasta choice and how you handle it needs extra care. Long, thin pasta varieties like spaghetti, fettuccine, or linguine work best. These shapes let the sauce stick evenly and create a balanced dish. The golden rule: never rinse your pasta after cooking. This keeps the essential starch that helps sauce stick to your noodles.
Don’t throw away all your pasta water – save some before draining. This starchy liquid works as a natural thickener and emulsifier. It’s your secret weapon that turns an ordinary carbonara into something special by creating that silky smooth texture.
These steps will help you nail the dish:
- Start bacon in a cold skillet to render fat better
- Wrap cooked chicken in foil to maintain moisture and prevent hardening
- Combine sauce ingredients before heating to prevent egg scrambling
- Keep the egg mixture moving constantly while incorporating it into the pasta
- Use room-temperature, freshly grated cheese rather than pre-packaged varieties
Your ingredients’ quality will make or break the final dish. Skip the fake Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese. Go for real, room-temperature cheese that you grate yourself. This small change makes a huge difference in your sauce’s texture and flavor.
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. All the same, you should reheat everything separately. Warm the chicken and shrimp on their own to keep them from getting tough or rubbery. Heat the sauce and noodles over medium-low heat until they’re warm, then mix in your proteins gently.
Adding veggies like peas, mushrooms, or asparagus needs careful timing. These extras improve both nutrition and looks, but you need to add them at the right moment to keep everything cooking just right.
Your choice of pan can make a big difference in how well you succeed. Stainless steel pans might give beginners a hard time. A non-stick pan works better until you become skilled at the technique, especially when working with eggs.
That pasta water does more than you might think. Its starch helps thicken your sauce and makes it stick better to the pasta. This detail often sets apart good and great carbonara.
Timing and coordination between components matter a lot. Have everything ready before you start cooking because timing will give you that perfect consistency. Keep your pasta hot while adding the sauce – temperature is key for proper emulsification.
Conclusion
Creating perfect chicken and shrimp carbonara takes attention to detail and proper technique, and the results are worth every bit of effort. This detailed guide helps you make a restaurant-worthy dish and avoid common pitfalls that challenge home cooks.
The key to success lies in timing and temperature control. Your proteins need careful cooking, the sauce must be prepared properly, and pasta water management should be strategic to achieve that signature silky texture. Quality ingredients, especially authentic cheeses, will lift your carbonara from good to exceptional.
The dish packs substantial calories and fats, but you can adjust portions or modify ingredients to create a lighter version without losing flavor. Its protein-rich profile and adaptability make it a versatile choice that fits different dietary priorities.
Begin with small batches to perfect your technique. This Italian-American favorite will soon become a confident addition to your cooking skills, ready to wow your family and guests.
