This Chicken alla Vodka Pasta is a perfect Italian night dinner idea! Tender chicken is tossed with pasta in a vodka and tomato-based cream sauce.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Italian recipes are known for using simple and classic flavors, and this recipe is a great example of that!
Chicken alla Vodka Pasta is a slightly creamy tomato sauce tossed with juicy chicken and pasta for a great Italian dinner. You will feel like you are at your favorite Italian restaurant!
The garlic and red pepper flakes give a little heat to the sauce while the vodka adds a unique sharpness, almost acidic, flavor. This is all balanced out by a little cream.
A classic Italian recipe, this homemade chicken penne alla vodka will be a hit for pasta night that the whole family will love! It is one of our favorite pasta dishes to make when we want something delicious and simple.
Ingredients
Full quantities and recipe details can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Let’s talk more about the different ingredients that you need for this chicken vodka sauce pasta!
Chicken Breasts – in this recipe, I explain how to make this pasta using chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs or any cut of chicken as preferred. I love using leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe to make it even easier!
Crushed Tomatoes – I love the texture of crushed tomatoes, but you could also use tomato sauce
Diced Tomatoes
Garlic Cloves – garlic powder will also work
Red Pepper Flakes – for some heat!
Vodka – this classic Italian sauce gets its name from the addition of this alcohol in the sauce!
Olive Oil
Heavy Cream
Pasta – penne pasta is classic, but use any shape you desire!
Toppings as desired such as Parmesan cheese and herbs like fresh basil or parsley.
Making the Recipe
Here is how to make the chicken vodka pasta with a few extra notes!
Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water as per package directions until al dente. When done, save a cup of pasta water for later (just in case), drain pasta, and set aside.
Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet (or use the same pasta pot) over medium heat. Add 2 Tablespoons oil.
When hot, add the chicken and cook until golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes per side. This will vary based on the size and thickness of your chicken.
When your chicken is cooked through and reaches 165F internal temperature, remove and set aside.
Roughly shred the chicken. (You could also choose to pre-chop the chicken and cook in bite-sized pieces instead).
While the pasta cooks, you can make the sauce. To make the creamy vodka sauce, heat a medium pot over medium heat. When hot, add the oil. Also add the garlic and red pepper flakes.
Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the tomatoes and stir. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer 10 minutes.
Add the vodka and stir. Simmer another 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
To combine, in the large pasta pot, combine the sauce, cooked pasta, and shredded chicken. Stir to combine.
If you want the sauce thinner, you can add some chicken broth or leftover pasta water. Leftover pasta water is recommended in Italian recipes because the starchiness of the water helps bind the sauce to the cooked noodles.
Top the chicken penne pasta with Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and/or fresh parsley as desired.
Modifications and Substitutions
I love the combination of crushed and diced tomatoes for the great texture that it gives the sauce. You could also swap out the crushed tomatoes for tomato sauce if preferred.
Rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe to make it faster and easier! Just add to the finished sauce to heat up.
Most of the alcohol will burn off in the cooking process, but if you are concerned about serving it to children or those avoiding alcohol, you can skip it. But removing it, you will be missing out on a lot of flavor. I would recommend using a different sauce recipe instead such as a pink sauce that has extra cheeses and herbs in it.
This delicious creamy sauce does not typically have any herbs mixed in, as the flavor focus is on the touch of vodka, but you can add Italian seasoning or herbs of choice if desired.
This would also be great with some sauteed veggies added in! Squash, onions, bell pepper, asparagus, and mushrooms would all be great options!
FAQs
What is Alla vodka sauce made of?
What pairs well with vodka sauce?
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream in vodka sauce?
Is vodka sauce just alfredo and marinara?
What to Serve with Chicken alla Vodka Pasta
Chicken all Vodka Pasta
Equipment
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring Cups
- Colander
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts (see note)
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- salt
- black pepper
- 1 pound penne pasta or shape of choice
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (one large can)
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes (one traditional can)
- ½ cup vodka
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Cook Chicken (optional, see note)
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.1 pound chicken breasts, salt, black pepper
- Add oil to the skillet and cook the chicken on each side until lightly browned and cooked through, approximately 7 minutes per side (this will vary with the size of the chicken pieces).2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. When cool enough, shred or chop as desired for mixing into the pasta.
Cook Pasta
- Heat a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Cook pasta as per package directions until al dente. When done, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, drain the pasta, and set aside.1 pound penne pasta
Make Sauce
- Heat a medium pot over medium heat (you can also use the pasta pot if desired for less cleaning, it will just lengthen cooking time).
- Add the oil and when the oil is warm, add the garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.2 Tablespoons olive oil, 4 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon salt
- Add the crushed and diced tomatoes and stir. Simmer for 10 minutes.28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 14 ounces diced tomatoes
- Add the vodka, stir, and let cook an additional 5 minutes.½ cup vodka
- Remove the pot from the heat. Mix in the cream.1 cup heavy cream
- Season the salt to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve
- To serve, in the large pasta pot combine the sauce, pasta, and shredded chicken. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce. Serve immediately.