Cheesy Spinach & Chicken alla Vodka Sandwich

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are chicken cutlets healthy?

  Chicken breast cutlets are simply chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise. Chicken breast is an excellent source of lean protein—3 ounces of chicken breast has just 3 grams of fat, with just 1 of those grams being saturated, plus 26 grams of protein. You also get vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins and choline, in chicken breast. Choline is necessary for a healthy nervous system.

• Is vodka sauce healthy?

  Vodka sauce is typically made with minimal main ingredients—vodka, butter, tomatoes, onion and heavy cream—all of which come together to offer a smooth, velvety texture. Because it tends to be richer than traditional marinara, a little bit of vodka sauce goes a long way. The fat from the butter and cream makes it easy to use a little bit since it clings to the pasta beautifully. The tomatoes and onions in vodka sauce are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. When the sauce is made, as it cooks, most of the alcohol in the vodka cooks off—although there may be trace amounts of it. So while it should be safe for children to eat, if you’re uncomfortable with the potential trace amounts of booze lingering in the sauce, you can certainly swap in traditional marinara here.

• Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko?

  Of course you can use regular breadcrumbs, but know that the results won’t be the same as if you used panko, which is light and airy and maintains a crispy and crunchy texture when cooked. If you’re out of panko, you can try to mimic the intended results of panko with crushed ingredients such as dry stuffing mix, matzo meal, potato or veggie chips, cornflakes or cracker crumbs.

• Can I make this recipe ahead?

  Yes, you can. If you plan to use them the following day, cook the chicken cutlets (Steps 1 through 3). Once the cutlets are cooked, let them cool on the baking rack and refrigerate them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to assemble the sandwiches, complete Steps 4 through 7, while also warming the cutlets in a 400ºF oven for about 12 to 15 minutes. Test the chicken with an instant-read thermometer to be sure you’ve reheated it to a safe temperature. It should be at 120°F. You can also make a batch of cutlets and freeze them for up to a month. Put the cooked cutlets on a tray in the freezer, check them in about an hour to see if they’re firm, and then store them in freezer-safe bags where they’ll be good for about three months. You can reheat the frozen cutlets in a 350°F oven for about 25 to 30 minutes.

• What should I serve with cheesy spinach & chicken alla vodka sandwich?

  The sandwich already has the veggies and protein covered, so we suggest adding a simple potato side dish and a refreshing garden salad with one of our healthy salad dressings.