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Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 136 reviews

This Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf offers a delicious twist on a classic comfort food using lean ground chicken, infused with Italian herbs and cheeses. The loaf is stuffed with mozzarella strings, topped with marinara and a crunchy Parmesan-panko topping, then baked to a golden perfection. It’s a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for family dinners, combining moist meatloaf with gooey cheese and a satisfyingly crisp crust.

Ingredients

Scale

Meatloaf Mixture

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 80 g onion (finely diced)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 900 g ground chicken
  • 60 g seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 2 teaspoons milk
  • 30 g Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Filling

  • 3 mozzarella cheese strings (cut into 1 cm slices)

Toppings

  • 120 ml marinara sauce
  • 2 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs
  • 20 g Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1 tablespoon butter (melted)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 120 g mozzarella cheese (shredded)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook the finely diced onion and minced garlic until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
  3. Mix Meatloaf Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, cooled onion-garlic mixture, seasoned breadcrumbs, milk, grated Parmesan, egg, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently until just combined to avoid a tough texture.
  4. Shape Meatloaf with Cheese Filling: Pat about two-thirds of the chicken mixture onto the prepared baking sheet forming a rectangle roughly 20 cm x 10 cm. Arrange the sliced mozzarella cheese strings down the center, then cover with the remaining chicken mixture. Shape the mixture into a neat loaf, sealing the cheese completely inside.
  5. Add Marinara and Bake: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the top of the meatloaf. Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.
  6. Prepare Topping: While the meatloaf bakes, mix panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, melted butter, and chopped parsley in a bowl to create the breadcrumb topping.
  7. Add Mozzarella and Breadcrumb Topping: After 45 minutes of baking, remove the meatloaf from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, then evenly distribute the prepared breadcrumb topping.
  8. Final Bake: Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
  9. Rest and Serve: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the onion and garlic mixture has cooled before mixing it with the ground chicken to prevent cooking the meat prematurely.
  • Do not overmix the meatloaf mixture to keep it tender and moist.
  • Use a meat thermometer to confirm that the meatloaf reaches the safe internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
  • Letting the meatloaf rest after baking helps it hold its shape when slicing.
  • Replacing mozzarella cheese strings with shredded cheese inside the meatloaf is possible but will alter the texture slightly.
  • Use seasoned breadcrumbs for added flavor or plain ones if preferred.

Keywords: Parmesan chicken meatloaf, chicken meatloaf recipe, Italian meatloaf, baked chicken meatloaf, mozzarella stuffed meatloaf

Find it online: https://delishfamilyrecipe.com/parmesan-chicken-meatloaf-recipe/