Penne Alla Vodka with Chicken

Penne Alla Vodka with Chicken is a creamy marinara sauce, with the splash of vodka to add the amount of flavor. Topped with a chicken breast, and ready to serve up for dinner. Give this vodka sauce pasta a try.

If you love pasta, let us treat you to a few more recipes. Philly cheesesteak pastaCajun chicken pasta or creamy shrimp pasta. Or Hasselback chicken with Nashville sauce.

We can’t take credit for this recipe, it is a variation to The Pioneer Women! She has meals, and we just had to try this recipe.

Must Have Ingredients For Penna Vodka

Vodka Sauce | This is a homemade sauce you use tomato sauce, vodka, heavy cream and more.

Penne Pasta | Cook your pasta as directed in the direction. You an swap out the pasta to something else if need be. A homemade vodka sauce pasta!

Chicken | Here you have a grilled chicken that you top your penne vodka dinner.

How to Make

Full directions and ingredient is in the list printable below in the recipe card.

Step One: The first thing to do is to heat your grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat. You will rub your chicken with oil and season.

Grill the chicken for around 3-4 minutes on one side and then flip to the other. You want to cook the chicken until it is fully cooked and reaches 165 degrees internal temperature.

Step Two: You will cook your penne pasta as directed on the back of the box. Once the pasta is done, drain and set aside. Same for the chicken, place to side and slice.

Step Three: Now, in a skillet, you will add in your oil, butter, and allow the butter to melt. Now add in onions and garlic and saute on medium heat.

Now you will carefully add in your vodka (watch for open flames) and bring the mixture to a boil for 2 minutes.

Step Four: Then stir in your crushed tomatoes, seasonings and reduce to low heat.

Toss in your heavy cream stirring well to incorporate.

Step Five: When your mixture is well mixed, stir in the cooked pasta, and top with sliced chicken and garnish with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese.

Keeping leftovers

If you have leftover penne vodka with chicken, pour into an airtight container and store in the fridge. You can do single serve containers to meal prep for lunch or dinners.

Or one big container. Then reheat in the microwave or reheat on the stove. Just cook on low and you might need to add a bit of cream or chicken broth to the cream sauce if it appears to be too thick.

Add just enough to thin it up a little bit.

Looking for More Easy Dinner Ideas

• Instant Pot Shrimp Boil
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Practical notes

Common questions when making this penne alla vodka recipe.

Do we have to add chicken?

Make this a meatless vodka pasta, and leave off the chicken. This chicken penne pasta is adaptable so make it a main dish or side dish recipe without the chicken.

What does vodka do in the alla vodka dish?

You do not taste the vodka in vodka sauce. That is contrary to what most think. This sauce is because the vodka is the balancer.u003cbru003eThe alcohol will burn off as it cooks, and helps to lighten and blend all the flavors so that acidity from the tomatoes pairs incredibly well with the cream.

Is penne alla vodka alcoholic?

The vodka in the sauce will cook off, so it is technically not alcoholic. As you will not get drunk off the pasta sauce that uses vodka.

Can kids eat vodka sauce?

Kids can eat the vodka sauce if the sauce is u003ca href=u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003ecooked properly u003c/au003eas the vodka will cook off. Now if you just pour the vodka in and then dish it up right away without cooking, then no it would not be safe.

How to know when chicken is done?

You will know when your chicken is done when it is no longer pink. You can also grab a u003ca href=u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer nofollowu0022u003emeat thermometeru003c/au003e and ensure it reads 165 degrees or higher internally.

What to Serve With

Not sure what to serve with this chicken vodka sauce? Here are some great ideas below that will compliment the dish.

• Texas Roadhouse Rolls
• Breadsticks
• Crisp Green Salad
• Side of Vegetables
• Breadsticks
• Etc

Have you tried the recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below or drop a comment. Also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Facebook Pinterest or our Facebook Group

Ingredients

Makes 8 -10 servings

• 4 tablespoons oil, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 pound dry penne pasta
• 3 cloves garlic, finey minced
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 white or yellow onion, diced finely
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 can crushed tomatoes, 14 ounces
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Equipment

• Deep 12 Inch Skillet
• Vegetable Chopper
• Garlic Press
• Kitchen Shears

Method

1. Start by heating up a grill or a pan on the stove. Rub your raw chicken breasts with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Then season with 1/2 the salt and pepper.
2. Place your chickne in the skillet cooking for at least 3-5 minutes on one side before flipping. Cook your chicken breasts all the way through. Depending on the thickness will depend on how long it takes. Reach 165 degrees internal temperature.
3. Now while the chicken is cooking, boil up water and cook your penne pasta as directed on the back of the box. When done drain, and set aside. Same for chicken when it is done cooking.
4. In a large 12-inch skillet you will do medium high heat and add in the rest of the olive oil, and butter. Let the butter melt down.
5. Add in your onions and saute for 2-3 minutes, then add in the minced garlic. Carefully pour in the vodka (be cautious if open flames) and bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Stir in your can of crushed tomatoes, and the rest of the salt and peper and pepper flakes.
7. Now reduce the heat and gently and slowly stir in your heavy cream. Add the penne cooked pasta and toss in the sauce. Top with the sliced grilled chicken.
8. You can now serve up your penne alla vodka with chicken! We did a little freshly grated parmesan and basil on the top of ours. Both are optional.

Kitchen notes

Meatless –

If you want to make this a meatless penne alla vodka, just leave out the chicken and cook the pasta in the sauce as directed. Storing – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Then reheat in the microwave if you would like. Pasta – Any shape of pasta works for this recipe. Just make sure that your pasta fully cooks is the key.