Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Reserve 1-½ cups of pasta water before draining the rest. prep

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and ¾ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese; set aside. prep

Whisk egg mixture

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 7-8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. prep

Season both sides of the chicken breasts with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet with the bacon grease and cook for 4-5 minutes per side or until golden and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips. prep

In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Then, pour in the reserved 1-½ cups of pasta water and bring to a simmer. mix

Add the cooked pasta, the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and stir in the egg and cheese mixture, tossing the pasta until the sauce thickens. mix

Return the cooked bacon to the skillet and toss everything together until evenly combined. finish

Serve the carbonara in bowls, topping with the sliced chicken and the remaining ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Optionally, top with freshly cracked black pepper. finish