Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf Recipe
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf is a flavorful twist on the classic meatloaf, combining ground chicken with Italian breadcrumbs, plenty of garlic, and Parmesan cheese for a moist and savory dish. Topped with extra shredded Parmesan and fresh parsley, it’s baked to perfection and finished under the broiler for a golden, crispy crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Meatloaf Mixture
- 1 ½ pounds ground chicken
- ¾ cup Italian breadcrumbs (or plain)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup minced yellow onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley (divided: 2 tbsp for mixture, 1 tbsp for topping)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×5×2-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the meatloaf after baking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add ground chicken, Italian breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced yellow onion, minced garlic, egg, whole milk, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. This mixture forms the flavorful base of your meatloaf.
- Mix Thoroughly: Use clean hands or a large spoon to mix all ingredients together until well combined, ensuring an even distribution of flavors throughout the meat mixture.
- Shape the Meatloaf: Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and transfer it to the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top evenly.
- Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the top of the meatloaf with ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese and the remaining 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley for added flavor and a beautiful finish.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour, allowing the meatloaf to cook thoroughly and become moist inside.
- Broil to Finish: For the last 2 minutes, switch your oven to broil to brown and crisp the top layer of cheese. Watch carefully to avoid burning and achieve a golden, bubbly topping.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh Parmesan cheese for both the grated and shredded parts to maximize flavor.
- Do not skip the broiling step; it adds a crispy, golden topping to the meatloaf.
- If ground chicken is lean, consider adding a bit more milk or an extra egg for moisture.
- Let the meatloaf rest for 5-10 minutes after baking before slicing to retain juiciness.
- Breadcrumbs can be substituted with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.