Creamy Penne Alla Vodka with Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 Chicken breasts
seasoned with salt and black pepper and cubed
- 1 lb. Penne pasta
- 28 oz. Tomato passata
- 7 oz. Heavy cream
- 4 oz. Vodka
- 1/2 Sweet onion
minced
- 3 Garlic cloves
minced
- Pecorino cheese
for topping
- Parsley
for topping
- Extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. This will be used to cook the pasta.
- 2
In a deep sauté pan or dutch oven, add a large drizzle of olive oil. Once it is hot, add the chicken and sauté until tender over a medium to high flame. It does not need to be fully cooked as it will continue cooking in the sauce later.
- 3
Add in the garlic and onion and sauté for about three minutes.
- 4
Lower the flame to medium/low and pour in the vodka. Raise the flame again to medium and cook for about three minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate. The vodka amplifies the flavor of the sauce while also helping to keep the heavy cream from separating when added to the tomato sauce.
- 5
Raise the flame to medium/high and pour in the tomato passata. Mix together and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and allow to cook for at least ten minutes.
- 6
Meanwhile, add the penne into the pot of boiling water. Cook the pasta for one to two minutes less than the package instructions or al dente.
- 7
Two minutes before the pasta is ready, taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper if needed. Pour the heavy cream into the sauce pan and mix together.
- 8
Once the penne is ready, use a hand strainer to scoop it directly into the vodka sauce dutch oven/pan. Mix together and allow to finish cooking for another two minutes in the pan.
- 9
Remove from the pan and serve with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and pecorino cheese. Salute and cin cin!
Creamy Penne Alla Vodka with Chicken
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About this Recipe
Craving a comforting, restaurant-quality pasta dish that comes together quickly on a busy weeknight? This Creamy Penne Alla Vodka with Chicken delivers rich, satisfying flavors right to your table, offering a gourmet experience without the fuss.
The secret to this beloved dish lies in the harmonious blend of rich tomato passata, decadent heavy cream, and a splash of vodka, which together create an unbelievably smooth and luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to every piece of penne. Adding tender, seasoned chicken breasts transforms it into a hearty, satisfying meal that's much more than just pasta.
You can expect a truly satisfying meal that delivers on every front. Each forkful combines perfectly cooked penne pasta with tender, seasoned chicken cubes enveloped in a velvety, blush-pink sauce. The subtle sweetness of minced sweet onion and the pungent warmth of garlic cloves create a deeply aromatic base, while a generous topping of Pecorino cheese and fresh parsley adds a final flourish of savory tang and bright freshness. This dish is pure comfort, yet refined, and surprisingly easy to achieve.
While delicious as is, this Creamy Penne Alla Vodka is wonderfully adaptable. For a hearty vegetarian option, simply omit the chicken and consider adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach during the sauce preparation. You can also experiment with other hard, salty cheeses if Pecorino isn't on hand, though its distinct profile is a classic pairing. For those who prefer a different protein, shrimp or Italian sausage would also meld beautifully with the creamy sauce.
This comforting pasta dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight family dinner or impressive enough for a relaxed gathering with friends. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad and some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the luscious sauce.