Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara

Name: Olive Garden Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tbsp. Olive Oil; 1/2 cup Bacon, in small cubes; 1 Chicken Breast, cubed; 1 cup Shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 tbsp. Garlic, chopped; 1/4 cup Onion, diced; 1/2 cup Heavy Cream; 2 Egg Yolks; 1/2 Package (8 oz.) Bucatini, or your favorite pasta; 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded

Published: Jan 9, 2024 · By: Brendan Cunningham

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This Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara tastes almost identical to the one you'll get at Olive Garden. The pasta features a rich and savory cream sauce laced with garlic, onions, bacon, and parmesan cheese. Then, it's tossed with juicy chicken and shrimp to bring the deliciousness up a notch. Honestly, this homemade carbonara recipe is the perfect easy one-pan meal for date nights, special occasions, or busy weeknights!

Part of a white bowl filled with chicken and shrimp carbonara.

Table of Contents

The Best Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Recipe

If you've ever had the Olive Garden chicken and shrimp carbonara, then you know how good it is. It's the ultimate comfort food dish - creamy, cheesy, and savory pasta with chicken, shrimp, and salty bacony goodness.

But what if I told you that you could make an even better version at home using the simplest ingredients in under 30 minutes? Well, with this recipe, you can!

This homemade chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe is based on the classic Italian pasta dish but with a few tasty tweaks.

First, the garlic and onions add a delicious depth of flavor. Then, for the sauce, I use both heavy cream and egg yolks to create a rich carbonara sauce that coats the pasta in a warm blanket of savory and creamy deliciousness.

The final result is an elegant dish that will have you - and anyone else eating it - thinking it's Olive Garden's chicken and shrimp carbonara. Seriously, I think it might taste even better than the one from the restaurant!

Oh, and if you like Olive Garden, you need to try this lasagna fritta, these cheese stuffed shells, and this chicken margherita recipe next!

Just like this carbonara, they all taste just like they came straight from Olive Garden's kitchen itself!

Shrimp and chicken carbonara in a white bowl that has a utensil in it. The white bowl is on a gray counter and there is part of a white cloth in front of it.

Ingredients

Another thing I love about this recipe is that it only requires a few common pantry ingredients. In fact, I bet you already have most of these in your kitchen right now!

Here's the full list of ingredients you'll need to make chicken and shrimp carbonara from scratch:

1 tbsp. Olive Oil
½ cup Bacon, in small cubes
1 Chicken Breast, cubed
1 cup Shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp. Garlic, chopped
¼ cup Onion, diced
½ cup Heavy Cream
2 Egg Yolks
½ Package (8 oz.) Bucatini, or your favorite pasta
½ cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded

That's it! And you can easily customize this dish and add in some other ingredients - the sauce goes so well with a variety of things!

For example, if you don't like shrimp, you can swap it out with sausage. To add a little spice, you can make this Qdoba Chicken to add to the pasta.

Or, if you're a vegetarian, you can leave the meat out altogether. And if you want to add even more veggies, add in mushrooms, peas, asparagus, broccoli, or roasted red peppers - whatever your heart desires.

Oh, and if you like pasta dishes, you have to make this vodka pasta and this copycat Cheesecake Factory chicken piccata recipe next.

A white bowl of chicken, pasta noodles, a bowl of onion, a bowl of shrimp, a bowl of bacon, a bowl of egg yolk, and a bowl of heavy cream all on a gray counter.

How To Make Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara

Once you see how easy it is to make this dish, you'll be whipping it up all the time. It doesn't take too much time or effort, so it's really great for any occasion.

It's my go-to dinner when I don't have a lot of time to cook but want to make a restaurant-worthy meal I know everyone will love.

Anyway, let's get cooking!

Step 1: Prep The Ingredients

Since it all comes together quickly, it's best to prepare the ingredients before you start cooking.

First, chop the garlic and onions and cut the chicken and bacon into cubes. Then, peel and devein the shrimp, and you can keep the tail on or remove it.

Finally, cook the pasta of your choice according to the package directions. Set a timer for the pasta and make sure to drain the noodles when they're done.

A skillet filled with chicken and shrimp. Behind it is above a girl going in front of it is a bowl of heavy cream.

Step 2: Cook The Meat

While the pasta is cooking, you can cook the meat. First, add the bacon to a heated pan, and let it cook until golden brown and crispy. Once it is, remove it and set it aside.

Next, add the chicken breast and shrimp to the skillet. Sauté until the chicken has browned and is cooked through - the internal temperature should be 165°F - and the shrimp turns pink. Then, remove both and set them aside.

By the way, if you have any chicken left over after making this recipe, I highly recommend putting it to good use by making this copycat Cheesecake Factory Thai lime chicken recipe next.

Hey skillet filled with chicken, shrimp, bacon, onion, and garlic. A wooden spoon is stirring everything around.

Step 3: Make The Sauce

Now it's time to make that heavenly carbonara sauce. Start by adding the garlic and onion to the same skillet, and cook until translucent.

Then, add the heavy cream, and let it simmer in the skillet with the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes.

Next, turn off the heat, add the egg yolks and constantly whisk until it becomes thick and velvety.

Hey skillet filled with chicken and shrimp carbonara. A hand is holding tongs in the pasta.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Now that the sauce is ready, return the bacon, chicken, and shrimp to the skillet and add the pasta.

Then, mix everything together in the creamy carbonara sauce.

Finally, top with Parmesan cheese and serve this comforting pasta dish warm. Enjoy!

A white bowl filled with chicken and shrimp carbonara. A hand is holding a fork in the dish that has some of the pasta wrapped around the prongs.

How To Store Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara Leftovers

Got leftovers? Lucky!

This Olive Garden chicken and shrimp carbonara tastes even better the next day, and it's perfect for bringing to work or as a quick lunch.

To store, allow it to cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container or Ziploc bag, making sure to squeeze out all excess air. Then, you can store it in the fridge for up to four days.

If I want to keep this dish longer, I'll freeze it. Just store leftover chicken and shrimp carbonara in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze it for up to 3 months.

Chicken and shrimp carbonara and part of a white bowl with a utensil submerged in the pasta.

How To Reheat Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara

There are several ways to reheat carbonara, but the best is on the stovetop. It slightly fries the pasta, which is so good, like this Fried Spaghetti Recipe.

To reheat, add 1-2 teaspoons of water to a skillet over medium heat. Then add the leftovers to the skillet and constantly stir until the carbonara is hot. If the pasta appears too dry, just drizzle with a bit of olive oil and toss. Then sprinkle some grated fresh parmesan if you wish and enjoy.

Alternatively, you can reheat it in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the carbonara in a covered, oven-safe dish. Heat for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

And for the quickest method, you can microwave it. Place the desired amount on a microwave-safe dish and cover. Then, heat for 1-3 minutes, stirring halfway.

Part of a white bowl with chicken and shrimp carbonara in it. Or utensils submerged in pasta behind the ball is a small white bowl of Parmesan cheese.

My Final Thoughts

Well, that is how to make chicken and shrimp carbonara Olive Garden style. All you need is just one pan and less than 30 minutes to make it!

And there's a reason this dish is such an Italian classic. It's incredibly flavorful, easy to make, and will satisfy any pasta craving.

Best of all, it's perfect for just about any occasion. Serve it up for a comforting weeknight dinner, bring it to a potluck or party, or make it for your significant other on a special night. It's sure to be a hit!

Anyway, I hope you like this copycat Olive Garden chicken and shrimp carbonara recipe as much as my family and I do.

If you make it, leave a comment below and let me know what you think. And as always, thanks for reading!

More Copycat Recipes

If you liked this and want some more delicious and easy dinner recipes from your favorite restaurants, we have a few on the blog that I think you'll like just as much.

Try making one of these next: