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a bowl of pasta

Chicken Vodka Pasta

This chicken vodka pasta is creamy, flavorful and quite light at the same time! The smooth sauce tastes like something you’d have in a restaurant and you’re getting your protein in, too!
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Pasta
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 503kcal

Ingredients 

For the chicken

  • 2 medium chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion granules
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

For the sauce 

  • 8 oz (225 g) penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) vodka
  • ½ cup (125 g) half and half, single cream
  • cup (30 g) Parmesan, grated
  • 6-8 fresh basil leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Rub the chicken breasts with oregano, garlic powder, onion granules, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
    2 medium chicken breasts
    1 teaspoon dried oregano
    ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    ½ teaspoon onion granules
    1 teaspoon paprika
    ½ teaspoon salt
    ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Once done, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice into strips.
  • Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 2 cups of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
    8 oz penne pasta
  • While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1 medium onion
    4 garlic cloves
  • Stir in the tomato paste and red chili flakes and continue to cook for a further minute.
    2 tablespoons tomato paste
    ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
  • Pour in the vodka and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring to deglaze the pan and cook off the alcohol.
    ¼ cup vodka
  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the half and half. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then add the cooked pasta and toss well to combine. Add as much pasta water needed to make the sauce creamy.
    ½ cup half and half
  • Stir in the sliced chicken breast, parmesan and fresh basil.
    ⅓ cup Parmesan
    6-8 fresh basil leaves
  • Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve immediately, with some extra grated Parmesan sprinkled on top.
    Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 750mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 645IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 168mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition is per serving and is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.

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