Penne alla Vodka with Crispy Garlic Chicken (42g Protein)

Published: 8/31/2026

An elevated vodka pasta that pairs a creamy, tomato-based sauce with golden, garlic-seared chicken breast. The vodka acts as an emulsifier, binding the acidic tomatoes and fats for a restaurant-quality mouthfeel.

Ingredients (4 servings)

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breast, thinly sliced into cutlets
• 10 oz (280 g) protein penne
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) vodka
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup (120 g) low-fat cottage cheese, blended smooth
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp (1 g) red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Sauté the chicken with 1/3 of the garlic until crispy and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, add the remaining garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the tomatoes and pour in the vodka. Simmer for 5–7 minutes to cook off the raw alcohol flavor.
4. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and gradually stir in the blended cottage cheese. Keep the heat low to prevent the dairy from curdling.
5. Toss with the cooked penne and the crispy chicken. Garnish with basil.

Pro Tips

• Chicken Searing: Pat the chicken completely dry before cooking to ensure a proper Maillard reaction and a crispy exterior.
• Alcohol Evaporation: Ensure the sauce simmers steadily after adding the vodka; this removes the harsh bite while concentrating the sugars of the tomatoes.

See Also

• High-Protein Penne alla Vodka
• Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan

Categories: mains, pasta-risotto, comfort-food