Melt-in-Your-Mouth Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring juicy ground chicken combined with aromatic garlic and rich Parmesan cheese. This tender, savory meatloaf is easy to prepare using simple ingredients, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Moist, cheesy, and balanced, it offers a healthy alternative to traditional beef meatloaf while delivering full-bodied flavor that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free bread crumbs)
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup milk
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
For Greasing
- Olive oil or butter, for greasing the loaf pan
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Finely mince the garlic cloves and chop the fresh parsley. Grate the Parmesan cheese if not pre-grated. Soak the bread crumbs in the milk for a few minutes to add moisture.
- Mix Everything Together: In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, soaked bread crumbs, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon until just combined to maintain tenderness; avoid overmixing.
- Shape and Place in Pan: Lightly grease a loaf pan with olive oil or butter. Shape the meat mixture into a loaf and place it evenly inside the pan, smoothing the top for uniform baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the meatloaf for 50-60 minutes or until its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The crust will develop a golden color while the center remains juicy and flavorful.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting time helps lock in the juices and makes slicing easier without crumbling.
Notes
- Don’t overmix the meat mixture to avoid a tough texture.
- Soak bread crumbs in milk for a moist, tender crumb.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for better flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the meatloaf is cooked properly and not overdone.
- Resting the meatloaf after baking helps retain juices and improves slicing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6th of loaf)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: chicken meatloaf, garlic Parmesan meatloaf, healthy meatloaf, easy dinner, ground chicken recipe, gluten free meatloaf, weeknight dinner
