There's just something about Italian food that says "romantic dinner". I have a hunch that's due to Lady and the Tramp... ;)
We love Italian food around here... but a romantic dinner I love (which we have for date night often) is Chicken Parmesan. Not just any Chicken Parm, but CROCKPOT Chicken Parmesan. That means, you can start the dish in the morning, go off and work during the day and get ready for a big date without having to worry about making dinner!
Made in the crockpot, this chicken is moist and unbelievably tender. Couple this with a delicious loaf of fresh bread (or for even less prep time, no-knead fococcia bread) and a big garden salad and you have one romantic meal.
Then, after dinner, you can have a homemade brownie sundae... brownies, ice cream, maybe some chocolate sauce and a cherry or two and 1 spoon :)
Crockpot Chicken Parmesan - Modified from the Crockpot Lady
2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 C bread crumbs (I used 1 thick slice from our whole wheat bread)
1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning (salt-free)
1/8 tsp. pepper
dash, salt
1-2 tsp. olive oil
1/8 C milk
1/2 - 1 C mozzarella cheese, shredded*
2-4 C spaghetti sauce (we used our homemade)*
*use more if you use more chicken
Tear thick slice of bread into pieces
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Place bread in the blender and grate it until in fine particles
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Add Parmesan cheese and Italian seasonings, and stir to combine.
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Coat the bottom of your crockpot with oil (I used less, since we have a smaller crockpot)
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Pour milk into a small bowl, dip chicken in milk, then in the bread crumbs and place in the crockpot.
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Cover with freshly grated mozzarella cheese (Crockpot Lady recommends slices)
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Top with spaghetti sauce
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Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours. I cooked mine on low for roughly 4 hours, and then on high for about another hour. The chicken was 180 degrees, and tender as can be :)
Boil pasta about 20 minutes before you're ready to eat....we used whole wheat spaghetti noodles
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Serve with green veggies, and fococcia bread for a lovely dinner.
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The original recipe called for egg rather than milk, and for more oil and cheese. Using our own homemade sauce (chocked full of carrots, mushrooms, peppers and tomatoes) also makes it healthier.
Check out more romantic meal ideas at Ultimate Recipe Swap: Romantic Dinner Ideas!
