Table of Contents
Introduction
Imagine a dinner with crispy chicken and a blanket of rich vodka sauce and mozzarella cheese on top of it. You know it is going to be a mouth watering and delicious dinner. Chicken parmesan with vodka sauce is so satisfying and flavorful that you will love everything about it.
Chicken parmesan goes well with marinara sauce but I love to have it with vodka sauce because vodka sauce is so much better than marinara sauce.
Key Takeaways
- Complete meal: Chicken parm with vodka sauce is a complete meal containing crispy chicken, creamy vodka sauce and melted mozzarella cheese.
- Balanced diet: Chicken parm with vodka sauce is rich in nutrients and vitamins and can be enjoyed as a part of your balanced diet.
- Excellent for weeknight dinners or special occasions: Chicken parm vodka sauce recipe can be prepared in advance and you can enjoy this delicious and flavorful meal on weeknight dinners or special occasions.
How to make Tomato or Vodka Sauce for Chicken Parm?
Vodka sauce is decadent and creamy tomato sauce incorporated with vodka which emulsifies the tomato and cream to give a rich and smooth texture. To prepare vodka sauce, saute garlic and shallots in butter and add tomato paste. Finally deglaze it with vodka and finish with parmesan cheese and heavy cream.
I have given step by step instructions to prepare the chicken parmesan with vodka sauce. Let’s jump straight to the recipe.
Basic Recipe Outline
Tomato or Vodka Sauce for Chicken Parm Recipe
4
servings45
minutes15
minutes1200
kcalKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients for vodka sauce chicken parmesan
- Ingredients for Vodka Sauce
Unsalted butter – 2 tablespoons
Diced shallot – 1
Minced garlic cloves – 4
Tomato paste – ½ cup
Vodka – 3 tablespoons
Heavy cream – ⅓ cup
Finely grated Parmesan cheese – ⅓ cup
- Ingredients for Chicken Parm
Chicken cutlets – 4
Melted butter – 3 tablespoons
Seasoned breadcrumbs – ¾ cup
Finely grated Parmesan cheese – ¼ cup
Fresh and sliced mozzarella cheese – 4 ounces
Fresh basil and oregano, for garnish
Olive oil, for pan-frying
Salt and pepper, to taste
Step by Step instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Vodka Sauce
- Melt butter and Sauté Aromatics: Take a saucepan and put it over the stove. Add butter into it and let it melt over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add minced garlic and diced shallots to the saucepan and sauté for about 3 to 4 minutes until it is fragrant and softened. Avoid burning it by stirring it occasionally.
- Cook the Tomato Paste: Add tomato paste and cook it for 5 minutes until it darkens and develops a rich flavor. Stir the tomato paste frequently during cooking.
- Add the Vodka: Add vodka to the pan and stir it continuously to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes to let the vodka evaporate.
- Incorporate Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese: Add heavy cream to the pan and reduce the heat to low. Mix the sauce until it turns vibrant orange pink color and then add grated parmesan cheese. Stir the sauce continuously until the cheese is completely melted and incorporated.
- Season the Sauce: Season the sauce with pepper and salt according to your taste. Keep the sauce warm at low heat and now let’s prepare chicken.
- Step 2: Prepare Chicken Cutlets
- Season the Chicken Cutlets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Season the chicken cutlets with pepper and salt on both sides.
- Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture: In a separate dish or bowl, combine the grated parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Chicken: Brush the chicken cutlets with melted butter and dredge each cutlet in the cheese and breadcrumb mixture. Butter helps the breadcrumb mixture stick to the chicken cutlets.
- Step 3: Pan Fry the Chicken
- Heat the Oil: Take a skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the olive oil to it just to coat the bottom of the skillet.
- Fry the Chicken: Add the breaded chicken cutlets in the skillet and cook each side of the cutlet for 2 to 3 minutes until they become crispy and golden brown. Remember not to overcrowd the skillet with chicken cutlets and place them in a single layer.
- Drain Excess Oil: Once the chicken cutlets are ready, transfer them to a separate plate and remove any excess oil from them with a paper towel.
- Step 4: Assemble the Dish
- Arrange the Chicken Cutlets: Place the fried chicken cutlets in a baking dish.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Pour the vodka sauce over the cutlets to cover the surface and place a slice of mozzarella on top of it. You can also sprinkle parmesan cheese over it according to your preference.
- Step 5: Bake and Finish
- Bake Chicken Parmesan: Put the baking dish on the preheated oven and bake the prepared chicken parmesan for 10 to 15 minutes in the oven.
- Optional Boiling Step: For getting golden brown top, switch to broiler in the last 1 to 2 minutes but keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- Step 6: Garnish and serve:
- Remove the chicken from Oven: Take the chicken parmesan from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Garnish it with fresh herbs such as oregano and basil to enhance its texture and flavor.
- Serve chicken parm vodka sauce: Pair the dish with crisp salad or roasted vegetables or pasta according to your preference and serve it. Enjoy your delicious and flavorful vodka sauce chicken parmesan.
Chef Recommendations
- Breadcrumb mixture: Try adding Italian herbs such as basil and oregano to breadcrumb mixture for enhanced flavor.
- Make Ahead Sauce: You can prepare the vodka sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to save your time on cooking day.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair your vodka chicken parm with a simple arugula salad or sautéed greens to enhance the texture and richness of the dish.
FAQs
Is vodka sauce the same as tomato sauce?
Vodka sauce and tomato sauce are not the same. While both sauces are tomato based, the vodka sauce contains heavy cream, vodka, and parmesan cheese which give it creamy and rich texture and a bit tangy flavor. The vodka in vodka sauce helps emulsify the tomatoes and cream to create a smooth flavor. On the other hand, tomato sauce is made with tomato, olive oil, garlic, and herbs. Tomato sauce does not have creamy richness.
What’s the secret to making a perfect vodka chicken parmigiana?
To make a perfect chicken parmigiana, use fresh ingredients, avoid overcrowding the pan, perfectly bread the chicken, and bake it with overcooking. You can also garnish it with fresh herbs to enhance its texture and richness of its flavor.
