Penne Alla Vodka With Chicken (My Favorite Chicken Pasta Meal)

This penne alla vodka with chicken is a delicious and nutritious pasta dish you'll want to make every single week. The recipe has al dente penne tossed in a creamy vodka sauce with juicy chicken for a balanced meal your entire family will love!

The Best Chicken Penne Alla Vodka Recipe

This chicken penne alla vodka recipe was an immediate staple in my home. The first time I made this homemade version of an Italian restaurant classic was for a family party and everyone was raving about it for months after!

For starters, this recipe makes the best vodka sauce. It's simple but explodes with classic Italian flavors like tomato, garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes. Plus, you can add any of your favorite cooked chicken to it. If you have some leftovers from last night- maybe you made this cast iron chicken breast-you can use them. Or, if you want to make it as simple as possible, pick up a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store on your way home from work.

You can add your very own personal touches to this dish, and it's guaranteed to taste delicious each and every time!

Ingredients

You need some classic vodka cream sauce ingredients to make this recipe. Check out everything:

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoon tomato paste
• ¼ cup vodka
• 14oz. can peeled tomatoes
• 1 pinch of red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup parmesan
• 1lb. penne pasta
• ½ cup pasta cooking water
• 1 lb. cooked chicken 

How To Make Chicken Penne Alla Vodka

Step 1: Cook the pasta and onion

To start, cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water following the directions on the package. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining it after it's cooked.

Then, heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot. Once it's hot, add the onion and cook, stirring for 5 minutes. Next, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, for about 30 seconds.

Step 2: Make the vodka sauce

Now, add the tomato paste and vodka to the pot and simmer for 2 minutes. Then, add a can of tomatoes and mash them with a fork. Add spices and herbs, stir to combine, and simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 3: Add the chicken

To finish up, add the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and the reserved pasta water to the skillet. Stir well and cook the sauce down for about 1 minute. Finally, add the cooked pasta and chicken and toss to combine everything. Enjoy!

Recipe Variations

• Garnish the finished dish with fresh basil leaves for more flavor.
• Use freshly grated parmesan and mozzarella cheese for an extra cheesy chicken pasta dish.
• Add grilled chicken to the dish for an added depth of smokey flavor. I like to grill it on my outdoor grill the day before for a quicker meal when making this pasta.
• For more protein, add some shrimp to the pasta, too, for the ultimate protein-packed pasta dish.

How To Store and Reheat This Chicken Pasta

This chicken penne alla vodka recipe makes 4 servings, so if you end up with some leftovers, you'll want to store them cause they taste amazing the next day. Transfer the pasta to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3-4 days, depending on when you cook the chicken. To keep it longer, you can freeze this pasta meal in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. 

For the best leftover experience, you'll want to reheat this chicken vodka pasta. My favorite way to reheat this dish is in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring frequently until it's heated through again. Just thaw the frozen leftovers in the fridge overnight before reheating. 

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Parm Sandwiches
• Chicken Pot Pie Pasta
• Cheesecake Factory Four Cheese Pasta
• Baked Thin Sliced Chicken
• Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets
• Spicy vodka pasta