This healthy penne alla vodka with chicken delivers all the creamy, saucy, restaurant-quality flavor of the classic Italian dish — without the heavy cream. A rich homemade vodka sauce made with crushed tomatoes, two kinds of cheese, and tender chicken breast makes this a high-protein weeknight dinner ready in about 35 minutes.
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Healthy Penne alla Vodka with Chicken
If you've ever ordered penne alla vodka at a restaurant and thought "I wish I could make this at home but lighter," this is your recipe. This healthy penne alla vodka with chicken is genuinely one of my favorite dinners to make — it feels indulgent and special but it's actually a really balanced, high protein weeknight meal that comes together in about 35 minutes start to finish.
The secret to getting that signature creamy vodka sauce without heavy cream is a combination of crushed tomatoes, Parmesan, and mozzarella — the cheese melts into the sauce and creates this beautifully silky, rich texture that tastes like something you'd get at a restaurant but is actually made with clean, wholesome ingredients right in your own kitchen. The vodka is what really makes this sauce special — it draws out the flavor compounds in the tomatoes that neither water nor fat alone can access, creating that distinctive depth that makes vodka sauce taste like nothing else. For more easy pasta nights, check out my Spicy Fusilli Pasta and my Healthy One Pot Pasta!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No heavy cream needed. The cheese does all the work of making this sauce silky and rich without the added saturated fat.
- High protein. Between the chicken breast and the cheese, each serving packs a serious protein punch.
- Restaurant quality at home. This tastes like something you'd pay $25 for — but you're making it in your own kitchen in 35 minutes.
- One pan sauce. Everything comes together in the same skillet — minimal cleanup.
- Great for meal prep. Reheats beautifully with a splash of pasta water or broth to loosen the sauce.
Ingredients Needed To Make This Vodka Penne
Here’s a little bit about everything that goes into this salad with corn and avocado:
- Penne pasta: The classic shape for this dish — the tubes catch and hold the sauce in every bite. Chickpea penne or lentil penne are great swaps for extra protein and a gluten free option.
- Chicken breast: Sliced thin and cooked directly in the skillet before making the sauce. Season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning for the best flavor.
- Crushed tomatoes: A 28-ounce can forms the base of the vodka sauce. San Marzano crushed tomatoes are worth the extra dollar if you can find them.
- Vodka: About ¼ cup is all you need — it cooks off completely and leaves behind a depth of flavor that makes this sauce iconic. If cooking for kids, swap for an equal amount of chicken broth with a squeeze of lemon.
- Yellow onion + garlic: The aromatic base of the sauce — finely diced so they melt into the sauce completely.
- Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts into the sauce and adds a nutty, salty depth. Pre-grated from a bag doesn't melt as smoothly — worth grating your own here.
- Mozzarella cheese: The second cheese that makes this sauce extra creamy and stretchy.
How to make healthy penne alla vodka with chicken
- Step 1: Cook the chicken.
While the pasta cooks, season the thinly sliced chicken breast with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside and slice or chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 2: Add the cheese and finish.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and silky. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Step 3: Combine and serve.
Add the drained pasta and cooked chicken to the sauce. Toss everything together until well coated.
- Step 4: Serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.
Erin's Expert Recipe Tips
Reserve that pasta water. The starchy pasta water is key to loosening the sauce and helping it cling to every piece of penne — don't forget to scoop some out before draining.
Don't skip the vodka simmer. Give the vodka a full 2–3 minutes to cook off before adding the tomatoes. The alcohol needs to evaporate for the best flavor and texture.
Grate your own Parmesan. Pre-grated cheese has anti-caking additives that prevent it from melting smoothly. A block of Parmesan and a box grater makes a big difference here.
Slice the chicken thin. Thin slices cook faster and more evenly, and they distribute better through the pasta.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of broth or pasta water to bring the sauce back to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common questions about this healthy penne alla vodka with chicken. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
Yes! Substitute ¼ cup of chicken broth plus a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. You'll lose a little of the signature depth but the sauce will still be delicious.
Absolutely — blend ½ cup of cottage cheese until completely smooth and stir it into the sauce in place of the mozzarella. It creates an incredibly creamy texture and adds a significant protein boost.
Penne is classic because the tubes trap the sauce inside, but rigatoni, ziti, or paccheri all work beautifully. The key is using a shape with ridges or hollows that the sauce can cling to.
Yes — simply swap regular penne for your favorite gluten free pasta. Chickpea or lentil penne work especially well here and add extra protein.
Yes! Store in individual airtight containers for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
if you liked this recipe, try these!
Find more easy, restaurant-worthy pasta dinners right here on ELW:
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
Healthy Penne alla Vodka
Ingredients
Method
- Cook pasta according to directions, drain, and set aside.
- In a large pan or dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoon avocado oil over medium-high heat.
- Add onions and cook for 2 minutes. Then add chopped chicken. Let cook four minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic and cook for one more minute.
- Add in tomatoes, vodka, and seasonings. Stir and let simmer over medium for 5 minutes.
- Stir in cream cheese, parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese and use a whisk to break it up. Let simmer another five minutes.
- Stir in pasta until completely coated. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Don't add oil to your pasta water to prevent sticking. It doesn't work! Instead, use a large enough pot — about 4 quarts of water for 1 pound of pasta — and stir the pasta immediately when you add it, then occasionally while it cooks.
- Warm the cream cheese before adding it to the sauce. Pop it in the microwave for a bit so it melts smoothly into the sauce without clumping. This step makes the sauce beautifully creamy!
- This pasta tastes even better the next day. As it sits in the fridge, all the flavors soak into the noodles. It stores well for up to 5 days, making it a fantastic meal prep option.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Maggie says
I’m not sure how you got that nutritional content… I just put it into a recipe nutrition calculator and it is definitely higher calorie than that. I would double check that. It looks very good thought!
Erin says
Hi Maggie, I’ve come to learn that every nutrition calculator may be different and while yours may say one thing, mine may say the other. Thanks for letting me know!
Ben says
This was fantastic, we added some red pepper flakes because my girlfriend and I like some kick! Would definitely recommend!
Erin says
Hi Ben, so happy you loved it and great addition!
Katie says
Amazing!! The whole family loved it, even a super picky toddler!!
Erin says
Hi Katie, so glad you both liked it!
Erin H says
So delicious! My entire family gobbled it up! So easy to make too!
Erin says
Hi Erin, so glad everyone loved it!
Caroline M. says
Such a great recipe! Penne vodka is one of my restaurant favs, I loved being able to make a healthier version at home. Picky husband approved as well!
Erin says
Hi Caroline, so glad you both loved it!! 🙂
Erin says
I love penne alla vodka and this recipe was truly amaazing! So easy for me to follow which was important cause I’ve flopped on a lot of recipes in the kitchen. Even my fiancé loved it!! And so true that the leftovers are just as good if not better after sitting in this yummy sauce!
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you both loved it! 🙂
Meaghan says
been dying to make this recipe since i saw it posted! finally got the chance to last week and it exceeded all expectations. protein packed and so yummy! cant wait to make it again. family loved it too.
Erin says
Hi Meaghan, so glad you loved the penne!!
Maria says
Sooo yummy and fairly easy recipe!! Definitely will make again. We subbed with lentil pasta and added some chili flakes for spice!
Erin says
Hi Maria, so glad you loved it and made it your own!
Erin says
Very good. I really loved it. The only thing different is that I marinated the chicken with some salt, pepper, basil, garlic and avocado oil and grilled before adding it back in. I loved it! Whole family went for seconds and I have leftovers for tomorrow!
My husbands only suggestion is a little extra kick. I might sprinkle some red pepper flakes on his tomorrow.
Erin says
Hi Erin, so glad you loved it and made it your own!!
Jenny says
Made this for dinner tonight for my boyfriend and I and it was absolutely amazing!! Super easy and tasted just like what you’d get in a restaurant!! Cannot wait to make again!
Erin says
Hi Jenny, so glad you both loved it!!
Val says
Made this for dinner tonight and my husband and I loved it!! Such a lovely flavor and simple to make!
Erin says
Hi Val, so glad you both loved it!!
LO says
I followed the recipe except swapped goat cheese for Neufchatel and used gluten free penne because of dietary reasons and it was absolutely phenomenal. This will definitely be on our meal rotation! SOOOO dang good.
Erin says
Hi! So happy you loved the penne and made it your own! 🙂
Carolyn says
This was SO GOOD and so easy to make! Would definitely recommend adding to the dinner rotation
Erin says
Hi Carolyn, so happy you loved it!!
Katie says
Another recipe added to the list of what I make from, Erin Lives Whole!
Erin says
Hi Katie, so happy you loved it!
Frances says
This was DELICIOUS! It was also very easy and quick to make!
Erin says
Hi Frances, so happy you loved it!
Lauren says
This is CRAZY I want to be buried in this pasta in my grave!!!!!!!! I had an open jar of Rao's marinara sauce instead of the regular tomatoes, then omitted the salt. I also used less pasta because I hate when pasta recipes have more noodles than anything else haha. But it was SO good!!! Erin you did it again!!!!!!!
Erin says
Hi Lauren, so happy you loved it! 🙂
Becca says
Amazing meal!! Love going through all of your recipes, and this one was top notch! Super easy and delicious!
Erin says
Hi Becca, so glad you loved it!!
Hannah says
I made this tonight for my husband and I for dinner and as per usual, it is another amazing erin lives whole recipe! We are seriously yet to come across one that we don’t absolutely love. Thank you for blessing us with this divine dish!! 😀
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so glad you loved it so much! Thank you for sharing!!
Hailey Royal says
One of my favorite recipes from this blog is the one pot chicken Parmesan, so when I saw this one pop up I knew I had to try it sooner than later. Let me just say, it did not disappoint. It was so simple to make and tasted AMAZING! I halved it since it’s just me, but otherwise followed the instructions to a tee. This will be part of the normal rotation for sure- thanks Erin!
Erin says
Hi Hailey, so happy you loved this one too! Thanks for sharing!!
Nora says
Loved this recipe! So easy and so so delicious, perfect for a weekend date night but still healthy, my boyfriend also loved it!
Erin says
Hi Nora, so happy you both loved it! 🙂