Chicken Carbonara

You have to try this recipe!

If you are having company over, try this recipe!

If you need to take a dinner to someone who just had a baby, try this recipe!

If you need something to make for dinner tonight, try this recipe!

My whole family, even Mr. Picky (Luke), gobbled it up.

(Maybe it had something to do with the whipping cream?? . . . warning - not a low fat recipe! But you won't care . . . it is so good!)

Chicken Carbonara (thank you, Val, from http://www.valsocal.blogspot.com/ for this recipe! Check out her blog for more delicious recipes!!)
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 ounces thinly sliced pancetta, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
8 large egg yolks
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves (MUST use fresh . . . find it in the produce section)
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves (also . . . MUST use fresh!)
Salt
1 pound spaghetti (I used penne)
4 cups coarsely shredded chicken (from 1 roasted chicken)
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel


Heat the oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and garlic and saute until it is brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream, cheese, yolks, basil, and parsley to blend.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the spaghetti and cook until it is just tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Drain.
Add the chicken to the pan with the pancetta and stir to combine. Next, add the spaghetti and the cream mixture and toss over medium-low heat until the chicken is heated through and the sauce coats the spaghetti thickly, about 4 minutes (do not boil or you might end up scrambling the eggs).
Season the pasta, to taste, with pepper and salt if needed (the pancetta will likely add all the salt you need). Transfer the pasta to a large wide serving bowl. Sprinkle the walnuts and lemon zest over, and serve.

ENJOY!!!