Lightened Up Chicken Carbonara
This Lightened Up Chicken Carbonara delivers 46g protein and 639 calories per serving — nearly half your daily protein intake in a single dish. Batch-preps 6 servings on the stovetop, letting you hit traditional cravings without sacrificing the macro discipline needed for consistent progress.
Ingredients
- •Pasta, Pappardelle, Fresh, Egg(340g)
- •Bacon, Center-Cut Pork(227g)
- •Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(680g)
Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.
- •Yellow Onion
- •Garlic(180g)
- •Cream Cheese, 1/3 Less Fat (Neufchatel)(227g)
Standard block cream cheese. Neufchatel (1/3 less fat) is a good swap.
- •Egg, Whole, Large
- •Parmesan Cheese(60g)
Grated Parmesan — the shelf-stable canister is fine for cooking.
- •1 cup reserved pasta water + 1/2 cup extra (just in case)
Instructions
- 1Cook pasta following packet instructions for about 8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain pasta and return to the pot/pan, reserving 1 cup of water for later.
- 2While pasta is boiling, whisk cream cheese and eggs together in a large bowl until smooth and lump free. Add the parmesan and set aside.
- 3Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium high heat. Add onions and bacon. Fry until bacon is crisp (about 6 minutes). Add the garlic and chicken, and cook until chicken is cooked through.
- 4Reduce heat and pour cream cheese/egg mixture into the pan while stirring quickly and gently to distribute evenly throughout the chicken. Continue to stir gently for a further minute while adding the reserved water (1/4 cup at a time) until sauce has cooked and thickened.
- 5Add the sauce into the pot of pasta, and toss gently until pasta is evenly coated. (Slowly add the extra water if necessary).
Nutrition — Per Serving
639
calories
46g
protein
31g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 44g
- Saturated fat
- 12.1g
- Sodium
- 688 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 0.6g
6 servings per batch · ~286g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
AI Swap Engine
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How much protein does Lightened Up Chicken Carbonara have per serving?
Each serving delivers 46g of protein and 639 calories with 31g fat and 44g carbs. This is a high-protein pasta dish that maintains the traditional carbonara structure while hitting macro targets.
How long does Lightened Up Chicken Carbonara take to prep?
This is a quick prep recipe that batches 6 servings on the stovetop simultaneously. You'll have a full week of dinners prepped in one cooking session without extended active time.
Is Lightened Up Chicken Carbonara good for muscle gain?
At 46g protein and 639 calories per serving, this recipe supports muscle gain phases by combining high protein with substantial carbs for energy and recovery. The traditional pasta base provides carbohydrates for post-workout windows.
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