This 30-minute Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Olive Garden recipe is easy to make and has layers of luscious flavors from each bite. This upgraded carbonara is a delicious twist on the traditional dish and will be a hit with your family and friends with the creamy sauce - and golden brown chicken and shrimp pieces!
⭐ Why this recipe works
Prepare something special this evening with this delicious Olive Garden's chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe that will WOW your friends and family with the luscious creamy texture and chunky chicken and shrimp pieces.
Chicken and shrimp are a great combination in pasta recipes - and this upgraded version of the classic chicken carbonara recipe is the ultimate comfort food that is perfect for easy midweek dinners.
The chicken and shrimp add a protein boost to the dish, and the chopped bacon gives it that lovely smokey flavor. The addition of garlic and onion takes this dish to the next level, and the Parmesan cheese gives it a lovely depth of flavor.
The carbonara sauce is what makes this dish special. It's creamy, thick, and flavorful, and it coats the pasta perfectly.
Easy copycat recipes don't get much better than this that any home cook can make in under 30-minutes using minimal ingredients and kitchen equipment.
The dish comes together quickly and easy in the same skillet, and it's sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
So if you're looking for a delicious, easy-to-make pasta dish, this chicken and shrimp carbonara is the perfect recipe! Learn more about types of pasta sauce in my detailed collection.
🍽 Key Ingredients
The key to making the best chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe is using quality ingredients like fresh shrimp, locally farmed chicken breast, and good bacon.
Bacon - Smokey and salty, bacon is a key ingredient in this dish that adds flavor and texture.
Chicken - Juicy chicken is a great source of protein and adds a nice flavor to the dish.
Shrimp - Shrimp is also a great source of protein and has a delicate flavor that pairs well with chicken and bacon.
Garlic & onion - these two key ingredients add a lovely depth of flavor to the dish.
The sauce - The sauce is made with heavy cream and egg yolks and is what makes this dish really creamy.
Pasta - Bucatini, or your favorite pasta, is used in this dish. Learn more about different types of Pasta and types of pasta sauce you can use for your meals.
Cheese - I use Parmesan cheese, as it adds a lovely depth of flavor to the dish, but Grana Padano works just as well.
Substitutions
Pasta
I like to use bucatini pasta in this dish, as it has a nice texture and absorbs the sauce well. However, you can use other types like spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne pasta.
Bacon
You can use pancetta in place of bacon as an equal substitute.
Cream
I like to use heavy cream in this dish to make the sauce rich and creamy. However, you can substitute it with half and a half or even whole milk if you're looking for a lighter sauce.
🔪 How to make
This rich and creamy chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe is truly amazing and easy to make too! Follow the step-by-step instructions below and check out the helpful top tips to make the best pasta recipe in under 30-minutes using one skillet.
Preparations
- Prepare a pan of boiling water and pour the pasta into the water, boiling until al dente (2 minutes less than package instructions).
- Drain and rinse the pasta, then set it aside in a bowl.
- Chop the onion and garlic.
- Peel the large shrimp and remove the intestines.
- Chop the chicken breasts into cubes.
- Chop the bacon into cubes.
- Whisk the yolks in a cup.
Cooking instructions
Step 1
Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil, and add the bacon bits. Cook for a few minutes until crispy, then remove them with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
Step 2
Add the cleaned shrimps and chicken pieces to the hot skillet and cook for 5 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and the chicken has browned.
Step 3
Remove the chicken and shrimp to a medium bowl and sauté the onion, minced garlic, and heavy cream for 4 to 5 minutes.
Step 4
Take the skillet off the heat and whisk in the beaten egg (stirring frequently) until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5
Add the cooked bacon, shrimp, chicken, and cooked pasta back to the pan, cooking for another minute. Toss the ingredients together until the sauce coats everything.
Step 6
Serve immediately with grated parmesan cheese on top and chopped parsley.
💭 Cooking tips
Make the sauce thinner.
If the rich carbonara sauce is too thick, add a little pasta water to thin it out or chicken broth.
Take the skillet off the heat to mix the egg yolks
Leaving the skillet on the heat while whisking the egg yolks will make them curdle into scrambled eggs.
Buy a slab of bacon rather than slices.
It's cheaper to buy a slab of bacon and cut it into cubes yourself. This also allows you to control the amount of fat in the dish.
📖 Recipe Variations
This olive garden chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe is delicious, but if you want to mix it up, try some of these variations. Also check my collection of best shrimp pasta recipes with lots of tasty recipes for you to explore.
Add vegetables
Some good vegetable additions for carbonara are roasted red peppers ( ½ cup), halved cherry tomatoes (½ cup), or sliced button mushrooms (½ cup).
Make it spicy
Add some spice to the dish by adding ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or 1 teaspoon of freshly chopped red chili pepper with the seeds removed.
Extra cheesy
Mix ½ cup of shredded Parmesan cheese to the dish at the end, along with the parmesan on top.
If you are looking to cook using another type of pasta; then check out my list of best gemelli pasta recipes.
🥗 What to serve with
chicken and shrimp carbonara
This copycat olive garden chicken and shrimp carbonara is perfect on its own for 2 people, but if you have a big family to feed, you'll need some extra side dishes on the table. Here are a few tasty and easy suggestions:
Green beans
Green beans and ham: Use cubed ham or bacon to make this delicious healthy side dish with sauteed green beans and onion. The green beans are tender and crisp, and it's easy to make in 30 minutes.
Asparagus
Bacon-wrapped asparagus: This is a classic side dish that goes with almost everything. The delicious tender asparagus wrapped in crispy prosciutto is the perfect combo with chicken and shrimps.
Baked asparagus: This is a healthy and simple way to cook asparagus with sliced almonds for added texture that takes less than 10 minutes to make.
Brussel sprouts
Longhorn Brussel sprouts: This copycat Longhorn Brussels sprouts recipe is a popular restaurant dish that everyone enjoys. The Brussels sprouts are tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce and baked in the oven to perfect! Simple, yet extremely tasty.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for this dish, but be sure to thaw them first. The best way to thaw shrimp is to place them in a colander and run cold water over them for a few minutes.
Should I remove the shrimp intestines before cooking them?
Yes. The best way to remove the shrimp intestine is to use a deveining tool, but you can also use a small knife. Make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp and remove the dark vein. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
Can I make this ahead of time?
No, carbonara is best when it's fresh, but you can cook the bacon, shrimp, and chicken ahead of time. Store them in the fridge until you're ready to make the dish.
🧊 Storing and ♨️ reheating
Copycat Olive Green chicken and shrimp carbonara is best eaten fresh, but in the unlikely event that you have some leftover, you can store them for later.
Fridge - Transfer the cooled leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
Freezer - I do not recommend freezing leftover carbonara as the sauce will separate upon thawing.
Reheating - The best way to reheat carbonara is in a skillet over low heat, often stirring until it's hot throughout. You can also microwave it, but be sure to do so in short intervals and stir it often to avoid curdling the sauce.
For more pasta ideas check out my leftover pasta recipes with a full collection of comforting recipes.
🍳 Related Recipes
Check out these fantastic comfort food recipes, including my stuffed manicotti, olive garden giant cheese stuffed shells, chicken marsala olive garden, and my texas chicken spaguetti recipe.
👪 Serving size
With this chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe, you'll be able to serve a family of 4. Or you scale the recipe to cater to more guests.
This copycat olive garden chicken and shrimp carbonara is a delicious and easy-to-make recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner. The bacon, chicken, and shrimp are cooked in a creamy carbonara sauce and served over pasta. It's an impressive dish that will please everyone at the table.
This chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe also pair fantastic with some refreshing summer cocktails.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Try one of my comfort dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!
📋 Recipe
Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara (Olive Garden Copycat)
Ingredients
- 1 chicken breast - 200gr
- 1 cup shrimp - peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup bacon
- 1 tablespoon garlic
- ¼ cup onion
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 egg yolks
- ½ package bucatini pasta - 8oz
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Instructions
Preparation
- Prepare a pan of boiling water and pour the pasta into the water, boiling until al dente (2 minutes less than package instructions).
- Drain and rinse the pasta, then set it aside in a bowl.
- Chop the onion and garlic.
- Peel the large shrimp and remove the intestines.
- Chop the chicken breasts into cubes.
- Chop the bacon into cubes.
- Whisk the yolks in a cup.
Cooking
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil, and add the bacon bits. Cook for a few minutes until crispy, then remove them with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon grease in the skillet.
- Add the cleaned shrimps and chicken pieces to the hot skillet and cook for 5 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and the chicken has browned.
- Remove the chicken and shrimp to a medium bowl and sauté the onion, minced garlic, and heavy cream for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Take the skillet off the heat and whisk in the beaten egg (stirring frequently) until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked bacon, shrimp, chicken, and cooked pasta back to the skillet, cooking for another minute. Toss the ingredients together until the sauce coats everything.
- Serve immediately with grated parmesan cheese on top and chopped parsley.
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