This Chicken Vodka Pasta is a restaurant-quality penne alla vodka that's perfect for date nights, yet simple enough for a weeknight dinner. The creamy tomato vodka sauce is rich, smooth, luxurious, and packed with flavor. Prefer it without vodka? Just swap the vodka for water!
5-STAR REVIEWS
One reader Kathleen writes, "I have made this twice and we have enjoyed it very much first time with vodka and this time with out" ★★★★★
Another reader Nancy writes, "Delicious and easy meal. I used ½ and ½ instead of heavy cream because it was what I had and it worked fine. Would probably be even better with cream. I added mushrooms and spinach…. So delicious. Thank you!" ★★★★★
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Chicken vodka pasta is so delicious, it tastes just like a dish from your favorite Italian restaurant. The creamy, luxurious vodka sauce coats every bite, making it rich and full of flavor. This penne alla vodka with chicken is surprisingly easy and versatile—perfect for a cozy date night or a quick weeknight dinner. Best of all, it comes together in just 30 minutes, so you can count on it to be simple, satisfying, and seriously delicious.
I shared an instant pot penne all vodka recipe a while back, and since you all loved it so much, I knew I had to create a stovetop version too. With just a splash of vodka and heavy cream, even a simple jar of tomato sauce transforms into a rich, restaurant-worthy meal. The vodka not only enhances the flavor but also balances the richness, adding a subtle zing that makes this vodka pasta irresistibly good.
♡ What you’ll love about this recipe:
✔️ Packed with Flavor – This pasta alla vodka is creamy, rich, and full of flavor. It is pure comfort on a plate.
✔️ Quick & Easy – Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or those times when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
✔️ Alcohol-Free Option – Want to skip the vodka? No problem! The sauce is just as delicious without it. And if you do use vodka, the alcohol cooks off, leaving a deep, comforting flavor that’s totally family-friendly.
✔️ Easily Customizable – Swap the chicken for another protein like shrimp, or toss in some veggies like mushrooms or spinach to make it a well-rounded meal.
✔️ Weeknight-Friendly Shortcut – Using jarred tomato sauce makes this dish super easy to pull together, without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Penne pasta – Traditionally, penne is the classic choice for penne alla vodka because its tubular shape and ridged surface help hold the creamy vodka sauce perfectly. However, rigatoni is also a fantastic alternative—its larger size and deeper ridges trap even more vodka sauce.
- Chicken – Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts for tender, juicy pieces that cook evenly in the sauce.
- Marinara sauce – Choose your favorite jarred marinara sauce; I prefer Prego for its balanced flavor and convenience (not sponsored, just a fan).
- Heavy cream – Adding heavy cream rounds out the acidity of the tomatoes, giving the sauce a rich, smooth texture and fuller body.
- Vodka – Vodka adds a subtle bite and zing to the sauce; no need for premium bottles—any vodka you have at home works fine.
- Parmesan – Parmesan cheese brings depth and complexity, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
How to make chicken alla vodka?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
Can you taste the vodka in vodka sauce?
When cooked properly, you won’t taste the alcohol in vodka sauce, as it cooks off during the process. However, the vodka still plays an important role—it enhances the overall flavor and helps emulsify the tomatoes and cream, creating a smooth, silky texture. It also adds a subtle sharpness that perfectly balances the richness of the cream.
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Vodka sauce pasta recipe tips
- Make it without vodka – Simply substitute vodka with water for an alcohol-free version that still delivers a creamy, flavorful sauce.
- Make it lighter – Swap out heavy cream for half & half or canned coconut milk to reduce the richness while keeping it creamy.
- Make it spicy – Want more heat? Increase the red pepper flakes to 1 to 2 teaspoons to turn it into a bold, spicy chicken vodka pasta.
- Make it vegan – Use olive oil instead of butter, coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and dairy-free parmesan to create a fully plant-based version.
- Simmer until thickened – Let the sauce simmer long enough to deepen the flavor and fully cook off the alcohol. If undercooked, the sauce may have a harsh aftertaste.
- Adjust consistency as needed – If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water or broth. If it’s too thin, continue to simmer until it reduces to your desired consistency.
Chicken Vodka Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized chunks
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves chopped
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes use more or less
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce I used Prego (tomato, basil and garlic)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup Vodka (or use water)
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt (I used ¾ teaspoon)
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente and drain.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add butter when hot and let melt. Add chicken and spread them into a single layer. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, without disturbing.
- Add onion, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes and black pepper to the chicken, cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes or until chicken is almost cooked and onion is translucent.
- Stir in marinara sauce, heavy cream and vodka (or water). Cook, stirring occasionally for 7 to 10 minutes or until the sauce has reduced slightly and thickened.
- Stir in cooked pasta, parmesan cheese and basil. Toss well and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
Recipe FAQs
Originally, the penne alla vodka recipe was made without any meat, and the flavor is still unbelievable. I like to add chicken as it makes the dish a little more satisfying and complete for a dinner. Rotisserie chicken or shrimp would be equally delicious.
Yes, kids can safely eat vodka sauce—as long as it’s been properly cooked. When simmered long enough, the alcohol in the vodka evaporates, leaving behind the flavor without the alcohol content.
However, if you’re still unsure about serving it to children, you can always omit the vodka entirely and substitute it with water or a bit of lemon juice for a similar tangy flavor.
Variations
One of the best things about this chicken vodka pasta recipe is how easy it is to customize with ingredients you already have at home. Try mixing in any of the following:
- No Vodka? Simply substitute with water to make it alcahol-free.
- Pasta Swaps: Don’t have penne? Use rigatoni, pasta shells, or any shape that holds onto the creamy sauce.
- Add Shrimp: Cook shrimp before the chicken, set it aside, then follow the recipe as written. Add the shrimp back in when you stir in the pasta.
- Broccoli: Add chopped broccoli to the pasta water during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking. Drain together with the pasta and stir it into the sauce.
- Peas: Toss in frozen peas during the final 2 minutes of boiling the pasta. Drain and mix into the finished dish.
- Spinach: Stir in fresh baby spinach during the last couple of minutes of cooking the sauce—it wilts quickly.
- Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms before the chicken, set them aside, and return them to the pan along with the pasta.
- Rotisserie Chicken: Short on time? Stir in chopped rotisserie chicken when you add the marinara sauce.
- Meatless: Skip the chicken for a vegetarian version. Just sauté the onion and garlic in butter, then continue with the recipe as usual.
Looking for more chicken penne pasta recipes
If you're a fan of easy, flavorful chicken pasta recipes, you're in the right place. Here are a few reader favorites that are perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights:
- Heavenly butter chicken pasta recipe blends the authentic Indian butter chicken curry with pasta.
- This lemon chicken pasta features tender chicken breast chunks tossed in a creamy, garlicky, lemony cream sauce.
- This creamy baked chicken and broccoli pasta casserole is comfort food at its best—rich, cozy, and full of flavor.
- Creamy chicken pesto pasta features penne pasta smothered in a buttery cream sauce infused with basil pesto, and juicy chicken.
- This instant pot ground chicken pasta is made using jar sauce. It's simple, easy, healthy, and a quick chicken and pasta for dinner!
- This instant pot chicken pasta is a reader favorite! All the flavors of chicken parmesan are combined with pasta to make an easy instant pot dinner that is ready in 30 minutes.
- This chicken broccoli alfredo is easily made in one pot and is on the table in under 30 minutes.
Kathleen Evans
I have made this twice and we have enjoyed it very much first time with vodka and this time with out.
Maria Doss
Hi Kathleen,
Glad you loved it hun, Maria
Harmony
Everyone loved it. We used jar of vodka sauce. Fresh basil and cheese 🙂
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it hun – Maria ♡
Nancy
Delicious and easy meal. I used 1/2 and 1/2 instead of heavy cream because it was what I had and it worked fine. Would probably be even better with cream. I added mushrooms and spinach…. So delicious. Thank you!
Maria Doss
Glad you liked it hun, Maria
Michele
Made it tonight, using up partial jars of commercial marinara and vodka sauce. Added mushrooms, used cook chicken. Lovely and very easy dinner.
Maria Doss
Happy to hear hun, have a wonderful day - Maria