Emily Carter
Chicken Penne alla Vodka is a mouth-watering Italian pasta dish that is perfect for a cozy night in or a dinner party. It is a complete meal in itself, with protein from chicken and carbohydrates from pasta. The chicken is usually sliced into bite-sized pieces and briefly cooked in the homemade vodka sauce. The sauce is made with tomatoes, cream, and vodka, and seasoned with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. The alcohol in the vodka cooks off during the process, making the dish safe for children and non-drinkers. The dish is served by tossing the sauce with penne pasta and topping it with chicken and parmesan cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken Type | Boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into thin, bite-sized pieces |
| Chicken Seasoning | Olive oil, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper |
| Pasta | Penne, or any short pasta shape such as rotini, fusilli, or orecchiette |
| Sauce | Tomatoes, cream, vodka, onion, garlic, parmesan, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes |
| Sauce Consistency | Thickened with pureed roasted vegetables or heavy cream |
| Alcohol Content | Alcohol cooks off during the process, but can be substituted with broth or lemon juice |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Chicken cutlets vs. chicken breasts
Chicken cutlets and chicken breasts are two types of chicken that can be used in penne alla vodka. Chicken cutlets are thinly sliced chicken breasts that can be fried up quickly. You can make your own chicken cutlets by slicing regular chicken breasts in half horizontally and pounding them thin, or by using chicken tenders. Chicken breasts, on the other hand, can be baked and cubed into bite-sized pieces. They can also be cut vertically with scissors to make thin pieces, similar to chicken cutlets.
Chicken cutlets and chicken breasts have different textures and cooking times. Chicken cutlets are thin and can be fried quickly, making them a convenient option for penne alla vodka. Chicken breasts, when cut into larger pieces, may take longer to cook. However, when chicken breasts are cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces, they can cook faster.
Both chicken cutlets and chicken breasts can be seasoned in various ways to complement the flavours of penne alla vodka. Common seasonings include salt, olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. The chicken is typically cooked before being added to the penne and vodka sauce.
Penne alla vodka is a classic Italian dish that combines penne pasta with a flavourful vodka sauce. The vodka adds a slight spiciness and depth of flavour to the tomato-based sauce. The dish is often topped with chicken and grated Parmesan cheese, and sometimes other cheeses like cream cheese, mozzarella, or Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The beauty of penne alla vodka is that it can be customised to your taste preferences and dietary needs. For a healthier option, you can omit the cream and replace it with pureed roasted vegetables to achieve a creamy consistency. You can also experiment with different types of pasta, vegetables, and seasonings to create your perfect penne alla vodka with chicken.
Chicken's Court Crossing: Quadratic Formula Mystery
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to cook the chicken
Chicken breast is the most common choice of chicken to go with penne alla vodka. To prepare the chicken, cut the chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized pieces. You can also pound or flatten the chicken breast to a thickness of about 0.5 inches. This will help the chicken cook faster and more evenly. Season the chicken with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. You can also add red pepper flakes for a kick of heat.
Heat a grill pan or skillet to medium-high heat and add avocado or vegetable oil. You can also use butter or a combination of butter and oil. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for about 2-4 minutes on each side, until cooked through. If you are cooking the chicken in the same pan as the onions and garlic, you can cook the chicken first and set it aside on a cutting board before adding the aromatics to the pan.
Alternatively, you can poach or simmer the chicken in the vodka sauce for a few minutes until cooked through. This is a good option if you want to save time and avoid using multiple pans. You can also bread the chicken before cooking for a crispy texture.
Transplanting Hens and Chicks: Best Time for Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to make the vodka sauce
The key to a good penne alla vodka is a creamy, flavourful vodka sauce. The sauce is what distinguishes penne alla vodka from other pasta dishes. While the traditional recipe calls for heavy cream, some prefer to use half-and-half or even pureed roasted vegetables to achieve a creamy consistency. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a delicious vodka sauce:
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Vodka
- Tomato paste or crushed tomatoes
- Cream
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Basil (optional)
Method
- Boil a generously salted pot of water for the penne and cook it al dente according to the package directions.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add onion and sauté for about 2-5 minutes or until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour in the vodka and let the sauce bubble for about 30 seconds. Be careful as the alcohol may flare up, especially if you have a gas stove.
- Stir in the tomato paste or crushed tomatoes until you have a smooth mixture.
- Add cream and reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in the cooked pasta until it is evenly coated.
Tips
- If you want to add a tangy and sweet bite to your sauce, add some sweet onion.
- For a kick of heat, add some red pepper flakes.
- To make the sauce extra velvety and rich, add 2 tablespoons of butter at the very end.
- To make the dish healthier, replace the cream with pureed roasted vegetables, such as zucchini and onion.
Chicken Tenders Carbs: A Kid-Friendly Option at Sonic
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What to serve with penne alla vodka
Penne alla vodka with chicken is a complete meal by itself. However, there are several side dishes that can be served with it. Here are some ideas:
Cheesy Garlic Bread
If you want to indulge in a hearty meal, pairing penne alla vodka with garlic bread is a great option. To save time, you can assemble and bake the garlic bread while the pasta simmers. For an extra indulgent treat, try making cheesy garlic bread drenched in butter.
Salad
A fresh salad can be a great side dish to balance out the richness of the penne alla vodka. You can include vegetables such as spinach, zucchini, or yellow squash in the salad to complement the flavours in the pasta.
Breadsticks or Crispy Bread
Breadsticks or simply toasted crispy bread can be a great side to go with the penne alla vodka. You can also use the bread to sop up the extra vodka sauce, ensuring that none of it goes to waste!
Protein Options
While penne alla vodka with chicken already provides a good amount of protein, you can also serve it with other protein options on the side. Some ideas include grilled shrimp, beef, or Italian chicken or turkey sausage.
Vegetables
If you want to include more vegetables in your meal, you can serve roasted or grilled vegetables on the side. Zucchini, yellow squash, and onions are great options that pair well with the flavours in the penne alla vodka.
Facing Fears: "Don't Be a Chicken Lollipop" Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Storing and reheating penne alla vodka
When it comes to reheating, there are a few options. One method is to use a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding small amounts of broth, milk, or water as needed to adjust the consistency of the sauce. Alternatively, it can be reheated in the microwave until warm. If frozen, be sure to thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
It is worth noting that the vodka sauce can be made ahead of time and stored separately in the refrigerator for up to five days. This can streamline the process, allowing you to simply cook the pasta and combine it with the sauce when you're ready to serve.
Dave's Hot Chicken: New Year's Opening Hours
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Chicken breast is the most popular choice for Penne Alla Vodka. Cut the chicken breast into thin slices or bite-sized pieces before cooking so that it cooks faster and stays tender.
Season the chicken with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Then, cook the chicken in a pan or skillet. You can also poach the chicken in the finished vodka sauce.
You can replace chicken with Italian chicken or turkey sausage. For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and add more vegetables like spinach or zucchini.
