Chicken With Penne Ala Vodka Food

CHICKEN PENNE PASTA WITH VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and seasoned chicken breasts. Saute for 8 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees when temped with a digital food thermometer. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
• Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan (no need to clean it, the chicken bits and juices will add flavor). Add onion and garlic, then saute for 4-5 minutes over medium heat.
• Stir the vodka into the pan and simmer for 2 minutes.
• Add chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, Parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, sugar (if using), salt and pepper.
• Bring the sauce to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• While the sauce simmers, cook penne noodles in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente.
• Turn down the heat on the tomtato sauce and slowly stir or whisk the heavy cream in, saute for 2 minutes then remove the pan from the heat.
• Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce.
• Slice the chicken breasts and serve them over the pasta with more grated Parmesan, fresh chopped parsley and basil.

CHICKEN PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Follow package instructions to cook PENNE PASTA with SALT added to the water.
• Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Briefly rinse the pasta with cool water to stop it cooking, and set aside.
• Flatten CHICKEN BREAST to 1/2" thickness with a flat-sided meat tenderizer. Season with SALT and PEPPER.
• Heat OLIVE OIL in skillet over med-high heat. Add CHICKEN BREAST and sauté about 3-4 minutes each side until chicken is cooked through.
• Transfer chicken to a cutting board, cover, and rest.
• Continue heating skillet on med-high heat and add a splash of OLIVE OIL, if needed.
• Add ONION and GARLIC. Sauté until the onion is tender and slightly browned.
• Add VODKA and scrape the pan to release any browned bits to deglaze.
• Stir in CRUSHED TOMATOES, HEAVY CREAM, OREGANO, and CRUSHED RED PEPPER.
• Bring everything to a gentle boil. Then reduce heat to med-low and simmer about 10 minutes to thicken sauce, stirring as needed. This also cooks off the alcohol.
• Add COOKED PENNE to vodka sauce and allow to heat through, stirring as needed. Add splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency.
• Add PARMESAN CHEESE to the sauce, continue heating to incorporate, stirring as needed.
• Slice the cooked chicken into 1/2" thick pieces and add to the vodka sauce along with the COOKED CHICKEN BREAST.
• Stir everything together. Add SALT and PEPPER to taste.
• Serve warm garnished with chopped fresh OREGANO or parsley.
• To store, allow chicken pasta to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days.

VODKA SAUCE CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to broil. Place a wire rack inside each of 2 rimmed baking sheets.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally through the middle (like slicing a bagel) making 4 roughly equal pieces. Place a sheet of plastic wrap on a cutting board. Put 1 chicken piece in the center of the plastic wrap and top with another sheet of plastic. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet, starting in the center and working your way to the edges, until the chicken is 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
• To set up a standard breading station, mix the flour, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish. Beat the eggs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a second shallow dish. Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.
• Dredge 1 piece of chicken in the flour mixture, turning to coat evenly. Shake off any excess, then dip into the egg mixture, turning to fully coat it on both sides. Let the excess egg drip off, then press the chicken firmly into the breadcrumbs, turning to coat on both sides and packing the crumbs into any crevices. Return the chicken to the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (you will know the oil is ready if you drop a few breadcrumbs into the skillet and they immediately sizzle). Add 2 pieces of chicken and cook until the breading is golden-brown and crisp and the chicken is just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes per side, turning with tongs. Transfer to the other prepared baking sheet. Make sure the oil is hot again before repeating with the remaining 2 pieces of chicken.
• Spread 1/4 cup vodka sauce onto each piece of chicken then top each with 1 tablespoon Parmesan and 1/4 cup mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts and browns in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the remaining vodka sauce onto a serving platter and top with the chicken pieces. Sprinkle with the parsley.

PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package directions.
• Saute the garlic and onions in 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until soft. Pour in the vodka, being careful if your stove has an open flame (remove the pan from the heat before adding). Cook and reduce for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour in the tomato puree. Stir the mixture until it's thoroughly combined, then reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine, then turn heat to the lowest simmer possible. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes and add salt and pepper to taste. Finally, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Pour the drained pasta into the sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle on the Parmesan, then sprinkle on more red pepper flakes if desired.