Pasta Alla Vodka With Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to broil. Place a wire rack inside each of 2 rimmed baking sheets.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally through the middle (like slicing a bagel) making 4 roughly equal pieces. Place a sheet of plastic wrap on a cutting board. Put 1 chicken piece in the center of the plastic wrap and top with another sheet of plastic. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet, starting in the center and working your way to the edges, until the chicken is 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
• To set up a standard breading station, mix the flour, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish. Beat the eggs and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a second shallow dish. Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.
• Dredge 1 piece of chicken in the flour mixture, turning to coat evenly. Shake off any excess, then dip into the egg mixture, turning to fully coat it on both sides. Let the excess egg drip off, then press the chicken firmly into the breadcrumbs, turning to coat on both sides and packing the crumbs into any crevices. Return the chicken to the baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (you will know the oil is ready if you drop a few breadcrumbs into the skillet and they immediately sizzle). Add 2 pieces of chicken and cook until the breading is golden-brown and crisp and the chicken is just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes per side, turning with tongs. Transfer to the other prepared baking sheet. Make sure the oil is hot again before repeating with the remaining 2 pieces of chicken.
• Spread 1/4 cup vodka sauce onto each piece of chicken then top each with 1 tablespoon Parmesan and 1/4 cup mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts and browns in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. Pour the remaining vodka sauce onto a serving platter and top with the chicken pieces. Sprinkle with the parsley.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water). Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
• Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: Heat the oil in a deep 12-inch skillet or pot over medium. Add the pancetta, if using, and fry until crispy, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion, garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Turn the heat to medium-low, add the vodka and cook until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes and then fill the can halfway with water and swish it around to loosen up any leftover tomatoes; add a quarter to half of the water to the pan. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes, and season with salt and pepper. If you prefer your sauce a little looser, go ahead and add the remaining water and simmer 2 to 3 minutes more. Reduce heat to low, add the cream and cook, stirring, until the sauce becomes an even pinkish-rust color, about 1 minute.
• Stir in the cooked pasta and 1/4 cup cheese; toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls, top with additional cheese, if desired, and sprinkle with the oregano and parsley.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan or casserole dish. Add the shallot and a large pinch of salt and gently fry over a low heat for 10 mins or until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Stir through the tomato purée, cook for 2 mins, then stir through the vodka and cook for 3 mins. Quickly stir through the cream to combine, then remove from the heat.
• Cook the pasta in salted water following pack instructions. Drain and reserve 150ml cooking water. Add roughly 50ml of the water to the tomato sauce, then tip in the pasta and cheese, tossing everything together over a low heat until well coated and glossy (loosen with a splash more of the cooking water if it's a little dry). Season to taste, then serve with a sprinkling of the extra parmesan, a good grinding of black pepper and the basil leaves scattered over the top.