A Family-Friendly Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce & Heart-Shaped Pasta

​Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a home-cooked meal made with love?

​This Chicken Parmesan with Vodka Sauce & Heart-Shaped Pasta is the perfect dish for both a fun family dinner or a romantic meal for two. It’s comforting, cheesy, and packed with rich, homemade flavor.
Cooking together is one of the best ways to show love, and this recipe makes it easy to get the whole family involved. Kids will love helping with the heart-shaped pasta, while adults can handle the crispy chicken and creamy vodka sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for Family Night: A dish that both kids and adults will love.
• Great for Date Night: The heart-shaped pasta makes it extra special for a romantic dinner.
• Easy to Make: Simple ingredients with a delicious homemade touch.
• Customizable: Add extra spice, use whole wheat pasta, or swap out the vodka for broth if needed.

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A Fun Tradition for Valentine’s Eve

In my home, we love celebrating Valentine’s Day with special meals, and this dish is a great way to kick off the holiday. Making this the night before Valentine’s Day allows us to enjoy a warm, comforting meal together as a family while still keeping Valentine’s Day itself open for other treats and surprises!
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​How to Make This Family-Friendly Meal
​Ingredients You’ll Need:

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​For the Chicken Parmesan:

• Chicken breasts, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
• Mozzarella cheese, fresh basil

For the Vodka Sauce:

• Butter, olive oil, onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes
• Vodka (or substitute with chicken broth)
• Heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings

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For the Pasta:

• Heart-shaped pasta (or your favorite pasta) * I found this pasta with Amazon Fresh (here) As an amazon associate, I earn for qualifying purchases.

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Steps to Bring It All Together

1. Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente.
2. Dredge and fry the chicken until crispy and golden.
3. Make the creamy vodka sauce and let it simmer to perfection.
4. Bake the crispy chicken with mozzarella until bubbly.
5. Toss the pasta with extra sauce and serve with the Chicken Parmesan on top.

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Tips for the Best Chicken Parmesan and Vodka Sauce

• Use fresh ingredients: Fresh basil, garlic, and Parmesan make a big difference in flavor.
• Pound the chicken thin: This ensures even cooking and extra crispiness.
• Don’t overcook the pasta: Al dente is best so it holds its shape and absorbs the sauce well.
• Let the sauce simmer: Allowing the vodka sauce to cook for at least 15 minutes helps mellow the alcohol and enhance the flavors.
• Make it kid-friendly: If serving to kids, swap the vodka for chicken broth and use mild seasoning.
• Double the sauce: If you love extra sauce, make a little more to mix with the pasta or to serve on the side for dipping.

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​Ingredients

For the Chicken Parmesan:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved lengthwise)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
• ½ cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil (for garnish)

​For the Vodka Sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• ½ small onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

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For the Heart-Shaped Pasta:

• 12 oz heart-shaped pasta (or any pasta of choice)
• 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
• 1 tbsp butter or olive oil (to prevent sticking)

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Instructions

​Step 1: Cook the Heart-Shaped Pasta

1. Boil water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Cook pasta: Add the heart-shaped pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
3. Drain & coat: Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Toss with a little butter or olive oil to prevent sticking.

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Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Parmesan

1. Set up dredging stations: Place flour in a shallow dish. Beat eggs in another dish. In a third dish, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. Dredge the chicken: Coat each chicken piece in flour, then dip into the egg, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to adhere.
3. Fry the chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

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Step 3: Make the Vodka Sauce

1. Sauté aromatics: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add onions and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes.
2. Deglaze with vodka: Pour in vodka, stir, and let it reduce for 2–3 minutes.
3. Simmer the sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Simmer for 15–20 minutes.
4. Finish the sauce: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook for 2 more minutes until creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water.

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Step 4: Assemble and Bake

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Layer the chicken: Spread a thin layer of vodka sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the crispy chicken on top. Spoon additional sauce over each piece and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
3. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

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Step 5: Serve

1. Toss pasta: Mix the heart-shaped pasta with a little extra vodka sauce.
2. Plate it up: Serve the pasta with the crispy, cheesy Chicken Parmesan on top. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
3. Enjoy!​

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A Meal to Remember

This dish is not just about the flavors—it’s about the experience. Whether you’re enjoying it as a family or making it as a cozy dinner for two, it’s sure to become a favorite tradition.
What are your favorite family-friendly Valentine’s meals? Let me know in the comments! 💕🍝

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