Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf

Table of Contents

Description

Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf is a lighter, flavourful twist on classic meatloaf. Made with juicy ground chicken, Italian herbs, and plenty of Parmesan cheese, then topped with marinara and melted cheese—this dish is tender, cheesy, and packed with comforting Italian-inspired flavour.

Servings

Serves: 4–6 people

Ingredients

For meatloaf:

1 lb ground chicken 🍗
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
1 egg
1/2 onion (finely chopped)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

For topping:

1/2 cup marinara sauce 🍅
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Extra Parmesan (for garnish)
Fresh parsley 🌿

Instructions

Preheat oven:
Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Mix ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, onion, garlic, milk, and seasonings. Mix until just combined.
Shape loaf:
Form mixture into a loaf shape and place on the prepared tray.
Bake first stage:
Bake for 25 minutes.
Add topping:
Remove from oven, spread marinara sauce on top, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
Bake again:
Return to oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes until fully cooked and cheese is melted.
Serve:
Let rest for 5 minutes, slice, and garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.

Notes

Don’t overmix to keep meatloaf tender
Ground chicken cooks faster than beef
Let it rest before slicing for cleaner cuts

Tips

Add spinach or zucchini for extra nutrition 🥬
Use panko breadcrumbs for lighter texture
For extra flavor, mix a little marinara into the meat

Nutritional Info (Approx per serving)

Calories: 320
Protein: 28g
Fat: 16g
Carbs: 15g

Benefits

High-protein meal 💪
Lower fat than traditional beef meatloaf
Rich in calcium from cheese
Family-friendly comfort food

Q&A

Q: Can I use ground turkey?
A: Yes, it works perfectly as a substitute.

Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Yes, prepare and refrigerate before baking.

Q: Can I freeze it?
A: Yes, freeze cooked or uncooked meatloaf.

Q: How do I know it’s done?
A: Internal temp should reach 165°F (74°C).