Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf
Seasoned with Italian herbs and cheeses and topped with marinara sauce, this Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf is a delicious twist on classic comfort food! Serve this tender, juicy meatloaf alongside mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a simple salad.
What is Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf?
This parmesan chicken meatloaf is the perfect mashup of two comfort-food classics: chicken parmesan and meatloaf.
Ground chicken is flavored with onion, garlic, Italian cheeses, and plenty of herbs, then baked and finished with marinara sauce and a cheesy topping. The meatloaf stays tender and juicy, perfect for serving alongside everything from crispy smashed creamer potatoes or lighter cauliflower mashed potatoes to perfect roasted carrots.
You get the flavor of chicken parmesan in every bite, but with the comforting vibe of your mom’s meatloaf. Plus, it’s much easier to assemble and cook than chicken parm!
This is one dinner recipe that your family is sure to ask for again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful twist on a classic: Why choose between two classic comfort foods when you can have both? This cross between meatloaf and chicken parmesan is packed with Italian herbs and cheeses and topped with marinara and more cheese for comforting flavor in every bite.
- Filling without being heavy: This parmesan chicken meatloaf is packed with protein to keep you full without weighing you down.
- Meal prep friendly: Assemble the meatloaf up to a day in advance and bake it when you’re ready to eat!
Keeping Chicken Meatloaf Moist and Tender
Ground poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is much leaner than ground beef, so it can dry out much more easily. Here’s how we make sure this parmesan chicken meatloaf stays just as juicy and tender as a classic meatloaf:
Soak the breadcrumbs — Letting the breadcrumbs soak in milk before adding them to the rest of the ingredients gives the recipe extra insurance against drying out.
Eggs in the mix — In addition to helping bind the parmesan chicken meatloaf together, eggs are another way we keep the meat from drying out in the oven.
Finely chopped onion — Adding finely chopped onion to the meatloaf mix adds flavor and moisture without big chunks of onion in the final meatloaf.
Don’t overwork the mix — Did you know that ground meat can get tough if you overwork it? When adding the chicken, mix only just until the ingredients come together so that the meatloaf stays tender.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Most of the ingredients for this parmesan chicken meatloaf are pretty simple, and may even be things you already have in your fridge and pantry. You’ll need:
- Ground chicken: Ground turkey can also be used.
- Italian-style breadcrumbs: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten free.
- Whole milk: I prefer to use whole milk, but reduced-fat milk will also work.
- Large egg: For binding the meatloaf and keeping it moist.
- Aromatics: Finely chopped onion and minced garlic.
- Herbs and spices: I like a mix of fresh parsley and Italian seasoning.
- Cheese: Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses will go into the meatloaf mix and get added to top. You can swap the parmesan cheese for pecorino romano and use provolone in place of the mozzarella if you prefer. Similar to when you’re making mac and cheese or potato gratin, I recommend grating the cheese yourself if you can for the best flavor and melting texture.
- Marinara sauce: This is optional, but I like using it on the top of the meatloaf. This is in place of the ketchup-based sauces that typically go on top of more traditional meatloaf. Feel free to use a quick homemade marinara sauce or your favorite store-bought brand.
You will also need olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
How to Make Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf
For the full recipe, including ingredient amounts and detailed instructions, be sure to scroll to the recipe card below.
In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Allow this mixture to soak for a few minutes to moisten the breadcrumbs, then add the beaten egg, half of the parmesan cheese, the onion and garlic, most of the parsley, and the olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Mix the ingredients until well combined, then add the ground chicken and half of the mozzarella. Mix just until incorporated, being careful not to overwork the meat.
Transfer the mixture to a parchment-lined loaf pan. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
Spread the marinara over the top of the meatloaf, then sprinkle on the rest of the cheeses. Bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the meatloaf is cooked through.
Tip! For crispy edges, use the parchment paper to remove the meatloaf from the pan and transfer it to a sheet tray before adding the topping and returning it to the oven.
Allow the meatloaf to rest for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with the remaining parsley and enjoy with additional warm marinara on the side.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
If you’re meal prepping, you can assemble this parmesan chicken meatloaf up to 1 day ahead of time. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat, then cook the meatloaf according to the recipe directions.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
If you’re reheating multiple portions, I recommend warming the meatloaf in the oven. Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave until warmed through and served as-is or turned into the most delicious meatloaf sandwiches.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t have a loaf pan, you can free-form the meatloaf mixture on a parchment-lined, rimmed baking sheet or even in a casserole dish. Free-forming the loaf will give you more crispy edges, making it even more delicious!
Yes! Use a non-dairy milk in place of the whole milk and use dairy-free cheeses.
Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese divided
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried, divided
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 ½ pounds ground chicken
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 1/3 cup marinara sauce optional, for topping
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease (1) 8×4-inch loaf pan or line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and milk, then let the mixture soak for a few minutes until the breadcrumbs are fully moistened.3/4 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs, 1/3 cup whole milk
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs until lightly beaten, then add the soaked breadcrumb mixture and half of the parmesan cheese along with the onion, garlic, most of the parsley, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.1 large egg, 0.38 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup finely chopped onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 2.5 tablespoons fresh parsley
- Gently fold in the ground chicken and half of the mozzarella cheese, mixing just until everything is evenly incorporated without overworking the meat.1 ½ pounds ground chicken, 0.38 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan or shape it into a loaf on the lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then spread the marinara (if using) over the surface of the meatloaf and sprinkle the remaining parmesan and mozzarella cheeses evenly over the top. Continue baking until the center of the meatloaf reaches 165°F and the top is golden, about another 10 to 15 minutes.0.38 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/3 cup marinara sauce, 0.38 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before garnishing with the remaining parsley, slicing and serving.0.5 tablespoons fresh parsley
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and check that all other ingredients used are certified gluten-free as well.
- Ground turkey can be used in place of the ground chicken.
- Substitute provolone for the mozzarella for a sharper flavor.
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for gentle heat.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
More Comforting Dinner Recipes
If you love this parmesan chicken meatloaf, you may enjoy some of these other comfort-food dinners:
- Slow cooker chicken and gravy: A creamy, comforting, and super simple slow-cooker recipe.
- Cowboy casserole: A zesty ground-beef casserole topped with cornbread for a hearty weeknight meal.
- Italian sausage pasta: A one-pot dinner packed with pasta, sausage, and cheese.
- Shrimp and grits: A restaurant-style Southern favorite you can make at home in 30 minutes.