Chicken Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce!! It's three of my favorite things folded into one recipe: pasta, chicken and a creamy VODKA SAUCE!!
Let's take a moment to discuss the incredibleness of vodka sauce. It's a creamy red sauce that goes well on just about everything including pasta, chicken, veggies or even a spoonful of the sauce on its own. It's that good. Today it's making an appearance here (for the first time ever) in a Chicken Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce. The rigatoni is the perfect pasta for this because the sauce and the chicken gets wedges into the center of the pasta and it makes for the MOST perfect bite of all times. (shells would also be perfect, just sayin)
It's exactly what I want this weekend after an insane busy week.... cheesy carbs with a creamy sauce! And I promise not to judge you if you lick the skillet clean. I've done it a time or two, no shame in that game!
Chicken Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion cut into small dice
- 5 medium cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes plus juices
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup vodka
- 12 ounces rigatoni
- Kosher salt
- Fresh basil for garnish
- Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the ground chicken in a large saucepan with 2 teaspoons olive oil and Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes until crumbly and fully cooked. Season with salt and pepper. Remove and set aside.
- Heat the oil and butter in the same saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper flakes; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, with their juices. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low so the mixture is barely bubbling; cook for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and reduced to 4 cups. Season with salt and pepper.
- Working in batches as needed, transfer the sauce to a blender. Add the cream and vodka. Remove the center knob on the lid (to allow steam to escape); place a towel over the lid to prevent spilling. Starting on the lowest speed and gradually increasing to high, blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds. Return to the saucepan and bring just to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low and cook, allowing the sauce to reduce and the vodka to cook off.
- Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 ½ cups of the cooking water, then return the pasta to the pot with the sauce and add the chicken. Stir to combine, and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, adding some of the reserved pasta cooking water as needed to thin it out.
- Serve right away, topped with basil and grated cheese (to taste). Season with salt and pepper to taste
Is it possible to meal prep this? If so, how long can you store it in the fridge for?
YES!! will keep for 3-5 days
This is on the HEAVY rotation at our house. Used spicy ground chicken to kick it up a bit for my spice-loving family. I double it usually and freeze the other half of the sauce for when future me is scrambling on a weeknight. Have made it both with and without the vodka depending on what I have on hand.
What can you substitute for heavy cream???
Can I skip the blending process and just stir thoroughly?
if you want it chunkier - sure!
I would like to make this recipe, but cannot have any dairy. Any suggestions other than adding the heavy cream? Thank you!
how many servings does it make
6
This looks delicious! How long would you recommend simmering to cook the vodka off?
until it evaporates!!