Olivia Carter
Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen preparing dinner after a long day at work? Well, we have the perfect solution for you – cooking Chicken and Bacon Carbonara using a slow cooker! This simple and delicious recipe will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
Chicken and Bacon Carbonara is a classic Italian dish that combines the rich flavors of chicken, bacon, eggs, cheese, and pasta. Traditionally, it requires constant attention and precise timing. However, with the help of a slow cooker, you can achieve the same great taste with minimal effort.
The secret to a perfect Chicken and Bacon Carbonara lies in the slow cooking process. By allowing the ingredients to simmer slowly over low heat, they develop a deep and complex flavor profile. The result is a creamy and indulgent dish that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Prepare The Ingredients
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients necessary for making chicken and bacon carbonara using the slow cooker. Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 strips of bacon, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 8 ounces of spaghetti or fettuccine
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Note: You can adjust the ingredient quantities based on your preference and the number of servings you want to make.
Make sure to wash and dry the chicken breasts before starting. Diced bacon, onion, and minced garlic should be ready and set aside. Grate the Parmesan cheese and chop the fresh parsley for garnish.
Gather Chicken, Bacon, Pasta, Cheese, and Eggs
To make a delicious chicken and bacon carbonara using a slow cooker, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 chicken breasts, diced
- 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 8 ounces of pasta, such as spaghetti or fettuccine
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
Make sure to gather all these ingredients before you start cooking. It’s important to have everything prepared and ready to go, as the slow cooker method requires a longer cooking time. Once you have everything gathered, you can proceed with the recipe and enjoy a delicious chicken and bacon carbonara.
Sauté The Chicken and Bacon
Before using your slow cooker, it’s important to sauté the chicken and bacon to enhance their flavors and give them a crispy texture. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Heat a large pan over medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook them until they’re browned on all sides. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to stir them occasionally to prevent sticking.
2. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a plate and set it aside. In the same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil and then add the bacon slices. Sauté the bacon until it becomes crispy and golden brown. This should take about 5 minutes.
3. When the bacon is done, remove it from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess fat. You can also break the bacon into bite-sized pieces if desired.
4. Now, your chicken and bacon are ready to be added to the slow cooker. With the sautéing step complete, you can move on to the next step in the recipe to continue preparing your delicious chicken and bacon carbonara.
Cook Chicken and Bacon Until Browned
Before adding the chicken and bacon to the slow cooker, it’s important to cook them until they are fully browned. This will add an extra layer of flavor to the carbonara.
Here’s how to cook the chicken and bacon:
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.
- Add the chicken and cook until it is cooked through and browned on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the bacon and cook until it is crispy and browned, about 6-8 minutes.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and set it aside with the chicken.
Once the chicken and bacon are browned, you can proceed with the next steps of the recipe for the chicken and bacon carbonara.
Cook The Pasta
Once the chicken and bacon mixture is ready, it’s time to cook the pasta. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water to enhance the pasta’s flavor.
When the water is boiling, add the pasta to the pot. Use about 8 ounces of spaghetti or any other pasta of your choice. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, usually around 8 to 10 minutes until it is al dente.
Remember to stir the pasta occasionally to prevent it from sticking together. While the pasta is cooking, you can use this time to set the table, prepare any side dishes, or get any additional ingredients ready.
Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and give it a quick rinse under cold water. This will stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from becoming mushy.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, you can cook the pasta in chicken or vegetable broth instead of plain water.
- Reserve a small amount of the pasta cooking water before draining, in case you need to thin out the sauce later.
Boil Water and Cook Pasta Until Al Dente
To prepare the pasta for your chicken and bacon carbonara, you will need to start by boiling a large pot of water. Fill the pot about two-thirds full and add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors of the pasta.
Once the water reaches a rolling boil, carefully add the pasta to the pot. Make sure to use a pasta shape that you prefer, such as spaghetti or fettuccine, as they work best in this dish.
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, usually for around 8-10 minutes or until al dente. Al dente means the pasta is cooked but still slightly firm to the bite, which adds a satisfying texture to the dish.
Tips:
- Stir the pasta occasionally while it cooks to prevent it from sticking together.
- Taste a small piece of pasta before removing it from the water to check if it’s cooked to your liking.
- Remember that the pasta will continue to cook slightly in the sauce, so it’s better to slightly undercook it.
Once the pasta is cooked to your desired texture, drain it in a colander and rinse it quickly with cold water. This will help stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from becoming too soft.
| Ingredients: | Tools Needed: |
|---|---|
| – Pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine) | – Large pot |
| – Water | – Colander |
| – Salt | – Spoon |
Now that the pasta is cooked and ready, you can move on to the next step of preparing the chicken and bacon carbonara.
Mix The Sauce
Once the chicken and bacon are cooked, it’s time to mix the sauce for your carbonara. This creamy and flavorful sauce will bring all the ingredients together and make it a truly delicious dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 large egg yolks
- Salt and black pepper to taste
In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and egg yolks. Whisk the mixture until it becomes smooth and well-blended.
Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to taste. Be careful not to oversalt, as the bacon and Parmesan cheese can be salty already.
Now, pour the sauce over the chicken and bacon in the slow cooker. Use a spoon or spatula to gently mix everything together, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce.
Put the lid back on the slow cooker and let the dish cook on low heat for an additional 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
After the 30 minutes, your chicken and bacon carbonara will be ready to serve! The sauce will have thickened and become creamy, creating a rich and luscious coating for the pasta.
Serve the carbonara with your favorite type of pasta, such as linguine or fettuccine. Garnish with some fresh parsley or additional grated Parmesan cheese for an extra pop of flavor.
Enjoy your homemade chicken and bacon carbonara!
In a Bowl, Combine Cheese, Eggs, Salt, and Pepper
To begin making the chicken and bacon carbonara, start by gathering all the necessary ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated cheese, eggs, salt, and pepper. Use a fork or whisk to thoroughly mix the ingredients together. This mixture will be the creamy sauce that coats the pasta, chicken, and bacon.
The cheese adds a rich and tangy flavor, while the eggs help to bind the sauce and give it a velvety texture. The salt and pepper enhance the taste and add a hint of seasoning to the carbonara.
Make sure the cheese is grated finely to ensure it melts smoothly into the sauce. You can use any type of cheese you prefer, such as Parmesan, Romano, or Pecorino. The choice of cheese will affect the overall flavor of the dish, so choose one that you enjoy.
Once the cheese, eggs, salt, and pepper are well combined, set the bowl aside while you prepare the other ingredients. This step can be done in advance to save time when you’re ready to cook the carbonara.
Now that you have your creamy sauce ready, you can move on to the next steps of cooking the chicken and bacon carbonara using a slow cooker.
Questions and answers
What is a slow cooker?
A slow cooker is a kitchen appliance that allows you to cook food at a low temperature over a longer period of time. It is also known as a crock-pot and is great for making tender and flavorful dishes.
Is it necessary to cook the bacon before adding it to the slow cooker?
No, it is not necessary to cook the bacon before adding it to the slow cooker. The slow cooking process will cook the bacon along with the other ingredients and infuse the dish with its delicious flavor.
