🍗🥓 Southern Fried Chicken & Bacon Carbonara Pasta
Chef Shane–Style Comfort Classic
This dish combines crispy Southern fried chicken, smoky bacon, and a rich, creamy carbonara-style sauce for the ultimate comfort meal.
Ingredients
Southern Fried Chicken
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Oil, for frying
Carbonara Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- 6 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup heavy cream (Chef Shane touch 😉)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley or green onions, for garnish
Instructions
1. Fry the Chicken
- Marinate chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes.
- Mix flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge chicken in seasoned flour.
- Fry in 350°F (175°C) oil for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
3. Bacon Base
- In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy.
- Remove bacon, leaving grease in the pan.
- Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
4. Carbonara Sauce
- Whisk eggs, Parmesan, heavy cream, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Add hot pasta directly into the skillet with garlic.
- Remove from heat and quickly stir in egg mixture.
- Add reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.
- Stir in crispy bacon.
5. Finish
- Slice fried chicken and place on top of pasta.
- Garnish with parsley or green onions.
- Add extra Parmesan if desired.
Chef Shane Tips
- Turn up the heat with hot honey drizzle on the chicken.
- Swap cream for half-and-half for a lighter version.
- Add sautéed spinach for balance.
🔥 Crispy. Creamy. Southern soul food meets Italian comfort.
Want a spicy Nashville version, air-fryer chicken, or low-carb twist next?