The Best Spaghetti Carbonara EVER!

Ok, maybe it is just because I don't normally like your typical spaghetti carbonara as found in the local Italian restaurant, that I found this recipe scrumdiddlyumptious, because this vesion is so different. When I think of carbonara sauce I think rich, creamy and bacon. This sauce is not overly creamy nor rich and it uses Pancetta instead of bacon and lemon zest which gives it a fresh taste.

Chicken & Lemon Spaghetti Carbonara

Serves 4

• 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 2 chicken breast fillets
• 450g dried spaghetti
• 175g piece smoked flat pancetta, cut into thin strips
• 4 sage leaves, chopped
• 2 large eggs, plus 2 large egg yolks
• 100ml thickened cream
• finely grated zest of 1 lemon
• 50g unsalted butter
• 100g aged parmesan, finely grated (please use the fresh stuff from your deli!!!!)

Heat half the oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Season the chicken and cook for 6 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil.

Cook the spaghetti in a large saucepan of boiling water according to the packet directions.

While the pasta is cooking, heat remaining oil in the frypan over medium-high heat, then cook the pancetta for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden. Stir in the sage, then remove from the heat. Cut the chicken into small pieces.

Lightly beat the eggs, egg yolks, cream and lemon zest in a small bowl.

Drain the pasta, then return to the saucepan (off the heat). Immediately add the pancetta mixture, chicken, egg mixture, butter, two-thirds of the parmesan and some freshly ground black pepper. Toss together well - the residual heat from the spaghetti will cook the sauce to a smooth, creamy sauce. Serve immediatly, sprinkled with the remaining parmesan.

This recipe is from delicious. magazine.

Hints and Tips...

• I found i had to turn the stovetop back onto a very low heat at the end when mixting the sauce in with the cooked spaghetti - as the heat from the spaghetti wasn't quite doing the job.
• You can use speck or just streaky bacon instead of the pancetta.