Looking for a quick yet impressive dinner? This easy chicken penne vodka recipe with jar sauce is a weeknight favorite! With store-bought vodka sauce, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes. Love easy comfort food? Try this chicken pot pie or this macaroni casserole. For something lighter, this chicken salad is a must!
This creamy, flavorful pasta combines tender chicken with al dente penne, all coated in a rich, tangy vodka sauce. It’s the perfect balance of convenience and taste—your family will think you spent hours in the kitchen! Need a lighter option? Try this dairy-free pasta. Love creamy sauces? This grilled chicken alfredo is a must!
The beauty of this easy chicken penne vodka recipe is its simplicity. With just a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a comforting meal that feels special enough for guests but easy enough for busy weeknights. Trust me, this dish has saved dinner at my house more times than I can count!
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
- Quick and Simple – Ready in under 30 minutes with just a few ingredients and minimal prep work
- Restaurant Quality at Home – The jarred vodka sauce creates a luxurious flavor that tastes like you ordered takeout from your favorite Italian restaurant
- Family-Friendly – A crowd-pleasing dish that both adults and kids will devour (yes, it’s safe for the little ones!)
Recipe Ingredients
Everything you need for this delicious easy penne vodka with chicken comes together quickly with these simple ingredients:
- Jarred vodka sauce (the hero of this time-saving recipe!)
- Boneless chicken breast
- Penne pasta
- Yellow onion
- Fresh garlic
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Optional garnishes: red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs
Ingredient Notes
- Jarred Vodka Sauce – Victoria’s or Botticelli’s brands work wonderfully, but any high-quality jarred vodka sauce will do. This is what makes this recipe so convenient while still delivering amazing flavor!
- Chicken Breast – For the juiciest results, don’t overcook your chicken. It should be just cooked through but still tender. You can substitute chicken thighs for more flavor if you prefer.
- Penne Pasta – The tubular shape is perfect for catching the creamy sauce. Cook it just until al dente (with a slight bite) as it will continue cooking slightly when mixed with the hot sauce.
How to Make Easy Chicken Penne Vodka Recipe with Jar Sauce
Follow these simple steps for a delicious dinner that comes together in no time! For exact measurements and a printable recipe card, scroll to the bottom of this post.
- Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook penne according to package directions until al dente.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion with a pinch of salt and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add diced chicken breast to the pan, season with salt, and cook until no longer pink, about 4-5 minutes.
- Pour in the entire jar of vodka sauce, stir to combine with the chicken, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the sauce, tossing until well coated.
- Serve hot, garnished with your choice of Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs.
Pro Tips
This recipe is my go-to for a quick dinner fix, and these simple tricks will elevate it from good to great! Reserve about ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining the penne – if your sauce needs thinning after combining with the pasta, this starchy water works magic for creating the perfect consistency.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator Storage – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often taste even better the next day!
- Freezing – This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. Portion into individual servings before freezing for easy reheating. The pasta may soften slightly upon thawing.
- Reheating – For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or cream to revive the sauce. Microwave on medium power, stirring halfway through, if you’re in a hurry.
Additions & Substitutions
Additions:
- Add sautéed mushrooms for an earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the vodka sauce
- Toss in some baby spinach during the final minute of cooking for added nutrition and color
- Include sun-dried tomatoes for intense tomato flavor and chewy texture
- Sprinkle with crispy pancetta or bacon bits for a smoky, savory element
Substitutions:
- Use gluten-free penne for a gluten-free version that’s just as delicious
- Substitute turkey breast or shrimp for the chicken if you want to switch up the protein
- Replace half the vodka sauce with marinara for a lighter version with less cream
- Swap penne for rigatoni, ziti, or farfalle – any pasta that holds sauce well works great
FAQs About This Easy Chicken Penne Vodka Recipe with Jar Sauce
Does vodka sauce go with chicken?
Can you use vodka sauce for chicken parm?
Can kids have jarred vodka sauce?
What Can I Serve with Easy Chicken Penne Vodka Recipe with Jar Sauce?
This best penne alla vodka with chicken recipe pairs perfectly with a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette and some warm garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of that delicious sauce. For a complete meal that will impress everyone at your table, add a side of roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli.
If you give this vodka with chicken recipe a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Drop a comment below or tag me in your social media posts. Your feedback helps other readers and means the world to me!
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Easy Chicken Penne Vodka
Equipment
- Large Pot For boiling pasta
- Saucepan For cooking chicken and sauce
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 24 oz vodka sauce such as Victoria’s or Botticelli’s
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast diced into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 0.5 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt to taste
Garnishes
- red pepper flakes optional
- parmesan cheese fresh, optional
- fresh herbs optional
Instructions
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, heat 1 tsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion with a pinch of salt and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the diced chicken to the saucepan. Season with salt and cook until fully cooked, flipping halfway through, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add the entire jar of vodka sauce to the saucepan with the chicken. Stir to combine and let the sauce warm up.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the saucepan and mix until well coated with the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs if desired.
