This delicious and tender Penne alla Vodka with Grilled Chicken is a wonderful Italian-American pasta dish that can be made as a simple weeknight dinner or served as a special occasion meal. The pink sauce is creamy but bright and loaded with flavor.
Penne alla Vodka with Grilled Chicken
This recipe has chewy penne and smoky grilled chicken. The recipe is easy to follow and can be made in no time. You may already have the ingredients in your house and the rest you can find at your local grocery store. Be sure to write this recipe down for a restaurant style meal.
What Can I Use Instead of Vodka in The Sauce?
The Vodka in the sauce is what really adds that nice and incredible kick to this dish. However, if you decide you want the Vodka out and something to substitute, that’s fine. You can use water and lemon juice to replace the Vodka.
What Goes with Penne alla Vodka?
You want the best sides to compliment the dish altogether. Some wonderful choices would be sautéed vegetables or a side salad with homemade house dressing. You can also make some homemade and delicious garlic bread as well.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast, pounded to an even thickness or butterflied
- 1 pound penne
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 (14 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- â…› teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup heavy cream
How to Make Penne alla Vodka with Grilled Chicken
Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Rub chicken breasts on all sides using 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with half of the salt and black pepper.
Place chicken on the grill and cook without moving for 3 minutes or until the edges begin to turn white. Turn the chicken one-quarter turn and continue to cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and for 3 minutes before turning one-quarter turn and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes. Slice before serving.
Meanwhile, cook penne according to package directions. Drain well.
As the pasta and chicken cook, prepare the vodka sauce.
In a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat, add the remaining olive oil and butter. Allow the butter to melt and then add the garlic and onion and cook until the onion is softened.
Carefully add the vodka to the skillet (being aware of any open flames) and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes and remaining seasonings.
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and stir in the heavy cream.
Add the penne to the skillet and carefully toss in the sauce. Serve topped with grilled chicken and grated parmesan cheese.
More Pasta Recipe Ideas
Italian Sausage, Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells
Classic Baked Penne Pasta with Ricotta Recipe
Incredibly Easy One Skillet Pizza Pasta

Penne alla Vodka with Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper divided
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded to an even thickness or butterflied
- 1 pound penne
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion finely diced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup vodka
- 1 14 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- â…› teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Rub chicken breasts on all sides using 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with half of the salt and black pepper.
- Place chicken on the grill and cook without moving for 3 minutes or until the edges begin to turn white. Turn the chicken one-quarter turn and continue to cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and for 3 minutes before turning one-quarter turn and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes. Slice before serving.
- Meanwhile, cook penne according to package directions. Drain well.
- As the pasta and chicken cook, prepare the vodka sauce.
- In a large (12-inch) skillet over medium heat, add the remaining olive oil and butter. Allow the butter to melt and then add the garlic and onion and cook until the onion is softened.
- Carefully add the vodka to the skillet (being aware of any open flames) and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and remaining seasonings.
- Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and stir in the heavy cream.
- Add the penne to the skillet and carefully toss in the sauce. Serve topped with grilled chicken and grated parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
Please help support this blog.
If you enjoy the recipes, crafts and ideas for family fun that we share on About a Mom, I hope you’ll use our Amazon affiliate link when you shop. It is no additional cost to you and helps us to continue providing free content. Also, please take a few minutes to look around and check out our other content.
Please take a moment to follow @aboutamom on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Twitter!
Subscribe to our daily email or weekly newsletter.
Leave a Reply