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!
Table of Contents
My Take On Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
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!
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.
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.
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 temp should be 165°F - and the shrimp turns pink. Then, remove both and set them aside.
By the way, if you have any chicken leftover after making this recipe, I highly recommend putting it to good use by making this copycat Cheesecake Factoy Thai lime chicken recipe next.
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.
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!
How to Store Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara
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.
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.
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:
- Olive Garden Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo
- Olive Garden Crispy Chicken Fritta
- Olive Garden Chicken Parmesan
- Ruth Chris Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Ruth Chris Lobster Mac & Cheese
- Applebee's Bourbon Chicken & Shrimp
And for even more deliciousness check out our YouTube channel.
PrintOlive Garden Chicken & Shrimp Carbonara
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!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make pasta of your choice according to the package instructions.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high and add olive oil.
- Add the bacon and let it cook until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Add the shrimp and chicken breast to the skillet and cook until shrimp turns pink and chicken browns. Remove and set aside.
- Add the garlic, onion, heavy cream and let it cook in the skillet for 5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and add the egg yolks, stirring constantly.
- Return the bacon, shrimp, and chicken to the skillet and add the pasta. Mix everything together to combine.
- Serve immediately with parmesan cheese on top.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Fat: 39
- Carbohydrates: 49
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 40
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Terry
Made it tonight - so good!!!!!
★★★★★
Janice
My family and I Love this recipe.. Its made once a week in my home.. Very delicious.
★★★★★
DeAnna
Omg the best dish I've ever made and eaten.it was absolutely delicious man my family loves it and it's always at the top of the list for every dinner request never gets old to me but something new every now and then wouldn't hurt either.so we will try some of your other recipes and let you know but so far this one is an A+...
★★★★★
Brendan Cunningham
That's amazing to hear we're so happy your family loves the recipe!:)
Ian
Absolutely incredible.
★★★★★
Amy Lawrence
Oh my gosh so good! I used penne because my kids like those noodles the best and my family loved this!!
★★★★★
Jennifer
Restaurant quality recipe that my husband and I loved!
★★★★★
Tay
Better than OG. For real thooooo
★★★★★
Nikky
Absolutely tasty as could be.
★★★★★
Martha
It was a popular meal at the dinner table last night. Thanks for the delicious recipe!
★★★★★
Kelsey
Has to be my fav pasta recipe I've made in a long time.
★★★★★
Vanessa
Can’t wait to try this. About how many people will this feed? Sorry couldn’t find that info anywhere. Wondering if I should double or not.
Brendan Cunningham
It'll make two large servings or four small servings.
Julianna
Never been to olive garden but gave this a shot and really liked it. My kids thought it was great too. Thanks.
★★★★★
Elaina
Great meal all around. Sauce was delis and flavors were perfect.
★★★★★
Kelly M.
I had this with zucchini noodles because I'm watching my carbs and it was a fantastic dinner that I will make again!!
★★★★★
Sara G
Yum it was a really good pasta dish!
★★★★★
Jill
Fantastic recipe!!!
★★★★★
Caitlin
So delicious I could eat this with just the pasta and sauce!!
★★★★★
Rita
Holy Jesus this was good.
★★★★★
Nate
Better than the OG.
★★★★★
Ken T
1. Where do you buy bacon that is thick enough to be cubed? Will regular sliced bacon, cut into small pieces work?
2. Would half-and-half work in lieu of heavy cream?
Brendan Cunningham
Yes regular sliced bacon will work great! And half and half will work, just add about 1/2 tbsp of butter with it.
Cassie
Everything about this we loved!
★★★★★
Rachael
Doubled the recipe and found the pasta to be too dry and needed more sauce, even though recipe was good. Will add more cream and 1 extra egg yolk next time or use some pasta water to make it more saucy.
★★★★
Madison
This is one of my favourite recipes from you.
★★★★★
Maddison
I added some broccoli to it and everything was excellent!
★★★★★
Mj
My my my this was so goooooood.
★★★★★
Danielle
No joke my favorite pasta recipe I've cooked in a really long time.
★★★★★
Brittany
Do you drain the bacon grease or cook everything in it?
Joe Duff
It's up to you. We did, but you can drain some or all of it if you'd like to.
Lexi
This is second to none my gosh it was good!
★★★★★
Jenny
Oh wow this was delicious! We ate it with a side salad and garlic bread to make it a full Olive Garden meal!
★★★★★
Jenavive
Hey ya'll I would recommend making this it's a tasty pasta recipe and my kids and hubby loved it!
★★★★★
Avery
So my entire family loved this so much that I'm making it for the second time this week. It is delish!!
★★★★★
Randy
Delicious. We will absolutely make it again.
★★★★★
Daniel
Delicious! Keep up the good work and recipes like this coming!
★★★★★
Kelly D
My kids don't like shrimp so I used extra chicken and it was delicious! We all very much enjoyed it and will have it again!
★★★★★
Benedict
We used this with penne pasta and it tasted spot on!
★★★★★
Allen
It was delicious as olive gardens is.
★★★★★
Nicki
Made this for my BF’s birthday and we loved it.
★★★★★
Christine
I cannot express enough how delicious it was!
★★★★★
Sharon
Really really liked this dish and my family all liked it so it was a win win recipe!
★★★★★
Phil
How.much does 1x actually serve? I'm having a couple over and want to make this. So total.of 3.people
Brendan Cunningham
It makes about two servings so you might want to double the recipe
Mark P.
Man was this tasty. I am going to make it again.
★★★★★
Amy Faletta
My family's favorite dinner right now! We're making it again tomorrow and just had it on Thursday!!
★★★★★
Greg
Exceptionally delicious.
★★★★★
Gulia R.
Ugh I love carbonara and this recipe did it justice! Delish!!
★★★★★
Tammy
The bacon bits in this is such an underrated addition. The entire meal was delicious!!
★★★★★
Amber
Delicious carbonara recipe right here! It's a must try.
★★★★★
Francine
Sooooo good 5/5
★★★★★
Antonia
Fantastic dinner. My family loved it.
★★★★★
Alanna
My favorite copycat recipe that I have tried. It was really delicious!!
★★★★★
Mya
Delicioso!!
★★★★★
Kathy
You outdid yourselves guys.
★★★★★
Jan
Great! Needed a bit more yummy sauce. Maybe more cream next time.
lorena cornett
i was looking for a recipe thought maybe it would be difficult to have chicken and shrimp but it was so easy to find carbonara oh my God come to realize chicken and shrimp go just excellent together.
★★★★★
Brendan Cunningham
We're so happy you like the recipe!!
Roger Spriddell
Don’t forget Italian Herbs Oregano and Basil to lift the flavours
Nancy Parsons
Yummiest pasta recipe I make. My family loves it!!
★★★★★
Deanna smith
Man this recipe is spot on I made this tonight and it was definitely a keeper in my house we are definitely going to put this in our monthly routine.so you get an a plus from me I've been dieing to know how to make this on my own.now my kids think I can be a chef bc I could cook one thing by directions boy to I have them fooled lol...thank you!!!!?
★★★★★