Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce
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Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce
Ready for a delicious twist on Chicken Parmesan? This Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce recipe swaps out the usual marinara for a creamy vodka sauce that adds an extra layer of richness and tang. Imagine crispy, golden chicken topped with gooey mozzarella and that irresistible vodka sauce—it's comfort food at its finest. Gluten-free Option.
The other day, while I was cooking up some chicken (As usual. Haha), it hit me that I have so many chicken recipes on the site—wings, pastas, tenders, you name it. Yet, I’ve never shared one of our absolute favorites: Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce. When your meal is covered in gooey cheese and rich vodka sauce, you know it’s going to be delicious. It’s incredibly flavorful, satisfying + truly one of our ultimate comfort dishes.
This chicken parmesan is perfect for the whole family + even the pickiest eaters! If you haven’t tried vodka sauce yet, it’s like a classic tomato sauce with a creamy twist. And for those who are already hooked on vodka sauce, be sure to check out these yummy recipes next: Homemade Vodka Pizza, Date Night Vodka Ravioli, and Spicy Vodka Rigatoni Pasta Bake.
Jump to:
- What Is Vodka Sauce?
- Why You Will LOVE Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce?
- How To Make Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce
- Ingredients
- How Do I Ensure the Chicken Stays Crispy?
- What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan
- How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?
- Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce Q + A's
- More Favorite Chicken Recipes
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce
What Is Vodka Sauce?
Vodka sauce is a rich + creamy Italian sauce made with tomatoes, heavy cream, and a splash of vodka. The vodka helps to emulsify the sauce, creating a smooth, velvety texture that clings beautifully to pasta. It's known for its slightly tangy flavor, balanced by the sweetness of the tomatoes and the richness of the cream. Vodka sauce is versatile and can be used on everything from classic pasta dishes to pizzas and chicken parmesan!
Why You Will LOVE Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce?
- The vodka sauce creates a smooth, velvety consistency that clings to every bite.
- Enjoy an ultra-crispy outer panko breadcrumb coating with tender chicken on the inside.
- Topped with golden, gooey cheese that melts beautifully.
- Loved by both kids + adults, making it a great choice for family dinners.
- Simple ingredients + straightforward steps make it a breeze to prepare.
- Perfect for leftovers --- Tastes just as good, if not better, the next day.
How To Make Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce
This recipe breaks down into four simple steps: Season the chicken, coat it with spices + panko breadcrumbs for a crispy finish, prepare your vodka sauce (homemade is my favorite, but store-bought works in a pinch!), and finally, bake the chicken with the sauce and a cheesy topping.
Ingredients
CHICKEN PARMESAN:
- Chicken breasts.
- Spices. Sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika + Italian seasoning.
- All-purpose flour. You can sub with a spicy seasoned chicken coating mix; I love the one from Louisiana Fish Fry.
- Panko breadcrumbs. Store-brought or homemade!
- Parmesan cheese. Freshly-grated. (Plus more for garnish, if desired)
- Eggs. For dredging.
- Vodka sauce. Store-bought or homemade (You can keep things traditional with tomato sauce, if preferred)
- Fresh mozzarella. Sliced.
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil. For garnish.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR BAKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS CHICKEN!!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Chicken Parmesan recipe. Everything from my fave skillet, pots, wooden spoons, parchment paper, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How Do I Ensure the Chicken Stays Crispy?
We all know how disappointing it is to put in the effort only to end up with a soggy coating. Here’s how to keep your Chicken Parmesan perfectly crispy every time!
- Dry the chicken. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before coating to help the breadcrumbs stick.
- Use a wire rack. Place the breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow air circulation and prevent fogginess.
- Preheat the oven. Bake at a high temperature, around 300°F, to achieve a golden, crunchy crust.
- Add sauce later. Spoon the vodka sauce + cheese over the chicken towards the end of baking to maintain the crispy coating.
- Avoid overcrowding. Space out the chicken pieces on the rack to ensure even cooking + crispy results.
What To Serve With Chicken Parmesan
This Chicken Parmesan goes perfectly with so many side dishes, a few of my favorites are:
- A crisp, fresh salad is a perfect light pairing!
- A crunchy, buttery slice of garlic bread is perfect for scooping up extra sauce and adding a savory crunch.
- Roasted veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, brussels sprouts or asparagus add a healthy and colorful side that complements the hearty chicken.
- Creamy mashed potatoes or fries pair well with the rich flavors.
- Simple rice, whether basmati or brown, helps soak up the delicious vodka sauce and rounds out the meal.
How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?
Ever wondered how long to bake chicken breasts at 400°? To know when your chicken breasts are fully cooked at 400° here are some tips -
- Color + juices: Cut into the thickest part of the chicken. If the juices run clear and the meat is opaque with no pinkness, it's likely cooked.
- Temperature: For certainty, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part of the breast.
- Resting: After cooking, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This helps keep the juices inside for a tastier result.
Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce Q + A's
Place any leftover chicken parmesan in a tightly sealed container once cooled completely in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave until warmed through or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Reheat leftovers in the oven rather than the microwave to keep the coating crispy. Bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
To ensure that this recipe is GF-friendly, ensure that you use GF breadcrumbs, flour, and you can use arrowroot starch which is a great GF-friendly option.
Check out my homemade vodka sauce recipe for a dairy-free option, and top it with dairy-free mozzarella.
Yes of course!
More Favorite Chicken Recipes
If you thoroughly enjoyed this Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce recipe, don't forget to add these delicious creations to your "must-make" list.
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Tacos [Dairy-Free]
- Sticky Orange Chicken Popcorn Chicken
- Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
- Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup
- Jerk Whole Roast Chicken
- Spicy Gochujang Chicken Tenders
- Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken
- Authentic Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce
Ingredients
CHICKEN PARMESAN:
- 3 large organic chicken breasts
- 2 tsps sea salt, divided
- 2 tsps black pepper, divided
- 2 tsps garlic powder, divided
- 2 tsps smoked paprika, divided
- 2 tsps Italian seasoning, divided
- 1 cup organic all-purpose flour (You can sub with a spicy seasoned chicken coating mix; I love the one from Louisiana Fish Fry)
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ¾ cup freshly-grated parmesan cheese (Plus more for garnish, if desired)
- 3 large organic eggs
- 2-3 cups vodka sauce, store-bought or homemade (You can keep things traditional with tomato sauce, if preferred)
- 1 (8oz.) fresh mozzarella, sliced
- Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
Instructions
SEASON THE CHICKEN BREASTS:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prep a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and a wire rack (this helps both sides to crisp up nicely).
- In a bowl, add the clean chicken breasts and 1 teaspoon of EACH: sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning, tossing everything together until chicken are well coated. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes so that everything marinates. NOTE: It's always best to marinate overnight in the fridge.
PREP THE DREDGING INGREDIENTS:
- In the bowl, whisk and beat the eggs. In another bowl, add the flour or spicy seasoned coating (if using). Finally, in another bowl, add the Panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan along with the remaining 1 teaspoon of EACH: sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning, stirring it together to combine.
ASSEMBLE + BAKE:
- Now, dip each chicken breast into the flour followed by the egg mixture (shaking off any excess) and then add it into the breadcrumb coating mixture-----tossing it around until both sides of chicken breast is well coated. Then lay the chicken breast side by side onto the baking sheet (about an inch apart). Repeat until all chicken breasts are coated.
- Lightly spray tops of chicken with cooking spray and bake them for 30-35 minutes or until chicken has mostly cooked through.
- Now, spoon a few spoonfuls of vodka sauce (or tomato sauce) atop each chicken breast along with 3 slices of fresh mozzarella each breast. Return chicken breasts to oven and let it bake for another 15 minutes or until the mozzarella has fully melted and chicken has fully cooked through. Remove from oven.
- To serve, enjoy chicken parmesan garnished with chopped fresh parsley or basil with your favorite pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or atop a salad, in a sandwich, etc.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Place any leftover chicken parmesan in a tightly sealed container once cooled completely in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave until warmed through or in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To ensure that this recipe is GF-friendly, ensure that you use GF breadcrumbs, flour, and you can use arrowroot starch which is a great GF-friendly option.
Nutrition
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