Perfect Chicken Penne Alla Vodka

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The ultimate pasta dinner is just a few steps away with the perfect Chicken Penne Alla Vodka. Toss juicy chicken and pasta in a flavor-packed vodka sauce that is made from scratch for a homemade and delicious meal.

Is it truly perfect? Add chunks of chicken and classic penne pasta to your whole family’s scraping plates for a meal that will have them licking their fingers. Enhance the flavor of the tomatoes with a dash of balsamic vinegar, blended with garlic and onion to create the perfect amount of creaminess. And don’t forget the secret ingredient, grated parmesan cheese, to make this vodka sauce incredibly satisfying.

The vodka sauce is mellowed out by a creamy touch and has a slightly spicy bite from the tomatoes’ acidity. The tomato sauce is a smooth, pink, and orangey Italian sauce with a generous splash of vodka.

How Do I Know This Chicken Penne Alla Vodka Is Perfect?

Eric, who grew up in a big Italian family, has perfected this heavenly vodka sauce over time. Inspired by his love for vodka alla penne, this sauce is regularly requested by friends and family and is sure to make anyone swoon. My husband, Eric, has mastered and made this vodka sauce chicken with pasta.

Ingredients

  • The ideal pasta for vodka sauce is penne due to its tubular form and ridges that effectively trap the sauce. Penne is the traditional pasta choice. While rigatoni shares a similar shape, it is commonly preferred for richer sauces.
  • Chicken fillets – I bake chicken fillets and dice them into bite-sized chunks.
  • Can of entire peeled tomatoes – entire peeled tomatoes have a substantial texture and an unblemished tomato flavor!
  • Parmigiano cheese – Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan cheese makes this sauce even more velvety smooth while adding a nutty, saltiness that’s absolutely key!
  • Vodka – well, we’re preparing vodka sauce! Vodka contributes a subtle spiciness and complexity that cannot be replicated by any other means.
  • Half and half cream, instead of heavy cream, adds a velvety richness to the sauce, which grew up in Eric’s Italian family, with a touch of vodka.
  • Sweet onion – this variety of onion adds an additional tangy yet sweet flavor.
  • Garlic – do I really have to clarify? Garlic!
  • Enhancing the tanginess of the tomatoes, it contributes a rich taste that is unmatched. Balsamic vinegar serves as the hidden element that elevates this sauce to a higher standard.
  • Extra virgin olive oil – this type of oil is used to cook the onion and garlic.
  • Spicy chili flakes – they provide a bit of spiciness if you desire some zest!
  • Fresh basil (if preferred) – although basil is not essential, it is the perfect way to elevate the appearance of your chicken penne alla vodka.

    • Ingredient Substitutions

  • Substitute rigatoni for penne pasta.
  • Chicken breasts – substitute pre-cooked chicken strips cut into smaller pieces or rotisserie chicken with the skin removed for raw chicken breasts!
  • Can of entire peeled tomatoes – replace a can of crushed tomatoes for whole peeled tomatoes.
  • Substitute Romano cheese for Parmesan cheese.
  • Substitute heavy cream for half and half if you prefer a highly creamy, pink sauce.
  • Fresh basil – replace basil with Italian parsley.

    • How to Make Vodka Sauce

  • Bake your chicken

    To prepare the delicious chicken, follow these steps: Place it on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees for 17-21 minutes. Coat the chicken with one tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and one tablespoon of olive oil.

  • Sauté onions and garlic

    In a spacious pot over moderate heat, include 2 tablespoons of olive oil, onion, and garlic, simmering for 4-5 minutes.

  • Add the tomatoes and vodka

    Heat the sauce over medium heat, uncovered, for approximately 5 minutes. Stir the sauce and then include the vodka. Crush the tomatoes into small fragments using a potato masher and mix them in.
    Combine tomatoes, vodka, parmesan and balsamic

  • Add more flavor

    Taste and pepper salt, parmesan, balsamic tablespoon 1 add. Minutes 20 least at for uncovered, heat medium-low over simmer let. Occasionally stir.

  • Slice the chicken

    While sauce is simmering, make sure to take your chicken out of the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, and then slice into bite-sized chunks.
    Slice the chicken

  • Cook pasta

    Cook your pasta until it is al-dente, following the instructions on the packaging.

  • Blend the sauce until smooth

    When sauce has simmered for at least 20 minutes, blend sauce until smooth. Add half and half, hot pepper flakes, and salt to taste. Blend for 10 more seconds. Keep sauce on low heat until heated through (and the pasta is ready!).
    Blend vodka sauce until smooth

  • Combine

    Include drained pasta and chicken into the sauce. Mix until all the penne pieces are completely covered with the sauce.

  • Serve

    Decorate with fresh basil and additional parmigiano!

    • Tips for Delicious Penne Alla Vodka

  • You can leave it on the stove for up to one hour on low temperature! Allow your sauce to simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes without a lid. Ensure to remember.
  • If you prefer, you have the option to add sauce on top of your pasta instead of blending it in!
  • If you desire, you can add more sauce and then begin to mix the recommended amount of sauce with half of the pasta, but only if you prefer a small amount of sauce on your pasta.

    • Tips for Juicy Baked Chicken

    Follow the instructions for flavorful Baked Chicken Breasts on my blog. You won’t be disappointed!

    10 Ways to Use Vodka Sauce (and Penne Alla Vodka Variations!)

  • For penne alla vodka, you can add 1 pound of cooked or grilled shrimp.
  • For the Sausage – include cooked or grilled pieces of Italian sausage. I suggest 4-5 links.
  • With Pancetta – incorporate 8 ounces of crunchy diced pancetta into your pasta!
  • Add a few slices of prosciutto to a nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat until the prosciutto is crispy and heated through, flipping every few minutes.
  • When cooking pasta, enhance its flavor by incorporating approximately 12 ounces of deliciously crispy and aromatic bacon.
  • Toss the spinach into your pasta sauce as you wilt it. Spinach is a great vegetarian option for penne alla vodka sauce. Toss in a large handful of spinach.
  • With Peas – include approximately 1 cup of boiled peas to your sauce just prior to serving!
  • Please your taste buds with the addition of vodka sauce instead of traditional marinara sauce.
  • Lasagna – give the individuals what they desire! Utilize vodka sauce rather than marinara for the lasagna.
  • For pizza or calzones, opt for vodka sauce instead of the usual red pizza sauce to achieve a luscious, creamy blush coating on your pizza or as a delightful homemade dipping sauce for calzones.

    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Does vodka sauce have vodka in it? What does it do?Output: Does vodka sauce contain

    Yes! Vodka is the signature ingredient of the sauce, which works so well with the acidity of tomatoes and gives it a distinct spiciness and a hint of bite.

    Is it possible to freeze vodka sauce

    If you make and refrigerate vodka sauce, you can freeze it within 5 days, but it is not recommended. It is best to freeze it between months 4 and 5.

    How does vodka sauce taste?

    The light sauce’s creaminess beautifully complements the tomatoes, giving the sauce a unique “kick” that comes from the vodka. This blush vodka sauce is absolutely divine and incredibly versatile!

    What to Serve With Penne Alla Vodka

    This recipe includes three simple salad dressings, perfect for a quick and easy salad. For a complete veggie dinner, try Leeks & Roasted Carrots or Carpaccio Squash Summer. Vodka Alla Penne is a full meal, and this chicken recipe is included since it complements the dish.

    More Pasta Recipes on Tastefully Grace!

  • Genuine Cacio e Pepe
  • Pasta With Caramelized Onion, Sausage & Pars
  • Norma-style Pasta
  • Pasta with Lobster, Leeks, and Pe

    • Perfect Chicken Penne Alla Vodka

    The ultimate pasta dinner is just a few steps away with the perfect Chicken Penne Alla Vodka. Toss juicy chicken and pasta in a flavor-packed vodka sauce that is made from scratch for a homemade and delicious meal.

    Preparation Time: 25 minutes

    Cooking Duration: 35 minutes

    Duration: 1 hour.

    Dish: Main Dish

    Cuisine: Italian.

    Keyword: any time of year, poultry, noodles, dressings

    Quantity: 4

    Calories: 851kcal.

  • Immersion blender or conventional blender.

  • 1 pound penne noodles
  • 1 pound of chicken breasts
  • One 28-ounce can of entire peeled tomatoes.
  • ½ Cup Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmes
  • 1/3 cup un
  • ¾ Cup blend of equal parts
  • 1 medium onion that is sweet
  • 3 big garlic cloves diced.
  • 2 tbsp. Bals
  • 3 tablespoons of premium quality olive oil.
  • Sprinkle some spicy chili flakes
  • Fresh basil is not

  • Bake your chicken on a baking sheet at 425 degrees for 17-21 minutes or until the thickest part reaches at least 165 degrees. Coat the chicken with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon of olive oil before baking. You can also grill or bake the chicken.

  • Over medium heat, sweat the onion and garlic in a large pot with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the chicken while baking.

  • Heat the sauce over medium heat, uncovered, for approximately 5 minutes. Stir the sauce and then include the vodka. Crush the tomatoes into small fragments using a potato masher and mix them in.

  • Taste and pepper salt, parmesan, balsamic tablespoon 1 add. Minutes 20 least at for uncovered, heat medium-low over simmer let. Occasionally stir.

  • Cover with aluminum foil to maintain heat. Cut into small pieces and allow it to sit for 5 minutes after removing your chicken from the oven. Ensure to gently boil the sauce in the meantime.

  • Cook your pasta until it is al-dente, following the instructions on the packaging.

  • (Without explanation) And the pasta is prepared! Cook the sauce over low heat until it is heated through. Keep blending for 10 seconds to incorporate the taste of salt and hot pepper flakes. Additionally, add half and half to the sauce and continue blending until it becomes smooth. You can use a regular blender or an immersion blender for this process. Let the sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes before it is fully cooked.

  • Include drained pasta and chicken into the sauce. Mix until all the penne pieces are completely covered with the sauce.

  • Decorate with fresh basil and additional parmigiano!

  • You can promptly cook your chicken or allow it to soak in the refrigerator for a maximum of 24 hours!
  • Keep any remaining sauce in the refrigerator for a maximum of 5 days before placing it in the freezer.

    • The nutritional information for this food includes 851 kilocalories of energy, 99 grams of carbohydrates, 46 grams of protein, 24 grams of fat, with 8 grams of saturated fat, 3 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 11 grams of monounsaturated fat, and 1 gram of trans fat. It also contains 98 milligrams of cholesterol, 513 milligrams of sodium, and 1053 milligrams of potassium. Additionally, it provides 5 grams of dietary fiber, 11 grams of sugar, 414 International Units of vitamin A, 16 milligrams of vitamin C, 280 milligrams of calcium, and 3 milligrams of iron.