Topic: Chicken carbonara

[barleychown]

1 packet alfredo sauce mix (we like garlic alfredo)
1 box penne pasta
4 to 8 slices of bacon
2 to 4 chicken breasts

Start by cooking chicken and bacon, then cut up into small pieces. While pasta is cooking, cook sauce according to directions on packet. Combine all together, and let set for a few minutes to mingle flavors.

Great with green salad and crusty bread.

* I usually use left over chicken, and have used baked, grilled, or fried. Also, when I cook bacon, I save some back, and keep it in the freezer until I make this.

[patches]

Actually, Sarah, this sounds pretty good, since it's nothing like the Carbonara recipe someone gave me about 5 years ago and told me it was wonderful.  It didn't have any chicken in it, just bacon, eggs and maybe some cheese.  Well, I made it, but it sure didn't do anything for me.    It was a waste of time and money because I felt like I was eating pasta for breakfast, so I just  trashed the recipe and never made it again.   

[Dianna]

Sounds like my kind of recipe. Fast, simple, and good!

Thanks for posting this, Sarah!

[landofoz]

This sounds great!  And makes me wonder what exactly is a 'carbonara'--I assumed it meant the sauce?  But I have a recipe that Patches mentioned: bacon, eggs, onions, parm, and spaghetti and I think it is absolutely fantastic.  Not breakfasty at all.  Your recipe sounds like a cousin of alfredo and where do you get the mix?  I don't think I've ever seen an alfredo mix before.  I'm definitely going to try this and figure out what carbonara means!!

[Tina]

Carbonara means with bacon (or ham sometimes. But mostly bacon) It is usually served with an  alfredo sauce which is your basic thin (or medium) white sauce with varying amounts of parmesan cheese in it (alfredo). Sometimes romano cheese as well. Almost always served with spaghetti. You can play with the basic recipe a lot. It is quick and reasonably inexpensive.

[patches]

Well, I actually might try Sarah's recipe, but I didn't like the one I made.  Guess I just don't like to think of eating eggs mixed with my pasta.      By the way, Sarah, how many serving does the recipe make?   

[barleychown]

Sarah, the alfredo mix is near the gravy mixes in my stores.

This recipe makes enough to serve my family of four, and I usually do garlic breadsticks and green salad with it.

[patches]

Sarah, I just bought some McCormick's Creamy Garlic Alfredo sauce mix this weekend.  Will that be okay?    I'm really anxious to try this recipe because I didn't like the one with the eggs in it.      

[barleychown]

Patti, that is perfect! That is the one that we like the best.

[patches]

Okay, I'm making this tonight!     Would this be good over the Angel Hair pasta or should I run to the store?    I've already got two boiled chicken breasts I was going to use for my chicken salad tonight, but this sounds a lot better, plus it sounds quick and easy. 

[barleychown]

Angel hair pasta should be fine. I hope you enjoy it. 

[patches]

Thanks, Sarah!    Well, it look like I'm ready to go because I just fried up my bacon. 

[patches]

Definitely a keeper, Sarah!     I loved it and so did my son!!!!     Actually, between the two of us we ate it all and the creamy garlic was wonderful!