Chicken and shrimp carbonara

Carbonara is a hearty Italian dish that combines chicken and/or shrimp along with pasta and a cream sauce. This recipe is baked and topped with seasoned breadcrumbs. It’s a delicious meal that your whole family will enjoy.

One of the more traditional dishes, Carbonara is a staple in most Italian restaurants and homes. Olive Garden was kind enough to share this recipe for delicious chicken and shrimp Carbonara, along with a recipe for flatbread. This at-home version of the popular delicious served in their restaurants is sure to please a hungry family.

Chicken and shrimp carbonara

At-home recipe
Serving: 8

Ingredients

Marinated chicken or shrimp

• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 Tbsp chopped garlic
• 3 lbs chicken strips or large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Sauce

• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
• 3 Tbsp bacon bits
• 3 Tbsp flour (all purpose)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 4 cups heavy cream
• 4 cups milk
• 1/4 cup bacon base

Cooked pasta

• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2-14 oz boxes of any long pasta (spaghetti, linguine, etc.) cooked using instructions on package
• 1/4 tsp salt

Topping

• 3 Tbsp Romano cheese, grated
• 3 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 3/4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 1/2 tsp chopped garlic
• 1 1/2 Tbsp melted butter
• 2 Tbsp parsley, chopped

Chicken (or shrimp)

• Marinated chicken strips (or Shrimp) from step 1
• 1 1/2 cups roasted red peppers, cut into small strips
• 1/4 cup bacon bits

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Marinated chicken (or shrimp)

1. Whisk extra virgin olive oil together with hot water, seasoning and chopped garlic.
2. Add the chicken strips (or shrimp).
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Sauce

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and bacon bits.
2. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Add flour, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, milk bacon base pepper and salt.
4. Use a wire whisk to whip all ingredients together.
5. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer.

Topping

1. Combine Romano, Parmesan, mozzarella, panko, chopped garlic, melted butter and chopped parsley in a mixing bowl.
2. Stir until well blended. Set aside.

Chicken (or shrimp)

1. Preheat large skillet. Add chicken (or shrimp) to pan. Add red peppers and bacon bits.
2. Cook for 3 more minutes or until cooked on both sides and internal temperatures reach 165 degrees F for chicken and 155 degrees F for shrimp.
3. Add sauce (from above) Stir until well blended.

Plating

1. Place hot, precooked pasta on a lager serving platter. Top with chicken (or shrimp) and sauce.
2. Evenly distribute topping over top of chicken (or shrimp).
3. Place in broiler until top is golden brown.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy.