Description

This Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf is a delicious twist on comfort food classics. Made with ground chicken, Italian herbs, Parmesan cheese, and a hidden mozzarella center, it’s topped with marinara sauce and a crispy Panko-Parmesan crust. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!

Ingredients

For the Meatloaf:

2 tablespoons olive oil
⅓ cup finely diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds ground chicken
½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 teaspoons milk
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
3 mozzarella cheese strings, cut into ½-inch slices

For the Topping:

½ cup marinara sauce
2 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
1½ tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line your baking pan with aluminum foil and give it a good spray with cooking spray. This makes cleanup a breeze and prevents any sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Aromatics

Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until they’re softened and fragrant. This step is crucial – you’re building flavor from the ground up! Let this mixture cool completely before adding it to your meat. (Hot aromatics + raw meat = not good for food safety or texture.)

Step 3: Mix the Meatloaf

In a large bowl, combine the cooled onion and garlic with the ground chicken, seasoned bread crumbs, milk, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix gently with your hands or a spoon just until everything is combined. Don’t overmix – this is the secret to tender meatloaf!

Step 4: Form the Loaf with Hidden Cheese

Here’s where it gets fun! Take about 2/3 of your meat mixture and place it in the prepared pan. Pat it into an 8″x4″ rectangle shape. Now arrange those mozzarella cheese string slices right on top – this is your molten center. Cover with the remaining meat mixture and shape it into a nice loaf, sealing the edges so the cheese is completely enclosed.

Step 5: Add Sauce and First Bake

Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the top of your meatloaf. Pop it in the oven and bake for 45 minutes.

Step 6: Make the Crispy Topping

While the meatloaf is baking, mix together the Panko bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, and chopped parsley in a small bowl. This golden topping is what takes this dish over the top!

Step 7: Finish with Cheese and Topping

After 45 minutes, remove the meatloaf from the oven. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese all over the top, then add your prepared bread crumb mixture. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the center reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer and the topping is golden brown.

Step 8: Rest Before Slicing

This is the hardest part – letting it rest! Let your meatloaf cool for 10 minutes before slicing. I know it’s tempting to dive right in, but this resting time helps everything set up so you get clean slices with that gorgeous cheese center intact.

Notes

Don’t overmix the meat – Mix just until combined. Overworking the meat makes it tough and dense instead of tender.
Line your pan with foil – Future you will thank present you when cleanup takes 30 seconds instead of 30 minutes.
Make a foil tent if browning too fast – If your topping is getting too dark before the meatloaf is done, loosely cover with foil for the last few minutes.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 65 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American