5.0 from 21 votes
Chicken Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce
Three of my favorite things folded into one recipe: pasta, chicken and a creamy VODKA SAUCE!! The sauce and the chicken gets wedged into the center of the pasta and it makes for the MOST perfect bite of all times.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 405 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian
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
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Is there ever really an appropriate time to "say when" for the cheese on top? I think not!
Nutrition Information
Calories
405kcal
(20%)
Carbohydrates
42g
(14%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
17g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
7g
Trans Fat
0.2g
Cholesterol
73mg
(24%)
Sodium
179mg
(7%)
Potassium
736mg
(21%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
7g
(14%)
Vitamin A
637IU
(13%)
Vitamin C
11mg
(12%)
Calcium
71mg
(7%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 405
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 405kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 42g | 14% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 73mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 179mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 736mg | 16% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 637IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 71mg | 7% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.