Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf (Print Page)
Savory ground chicken loaf with Parmesan, Italian herbs, and tangy tomato glaze for a comforting weeknight dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 lbs ground chicken
→ Cheeses
02 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Binders & Fillers
05 - 1 cup breadcrumbs
06 - 2 large eggs
→ Liquids
07 - ½ cup milk
→ Herbs & Spices
08 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ Glaze
11 - ½ cup tomato sauce or marinara
12 - 1 tbsp olive oil
13 - 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Parmesan, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, eggs, milk, herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined—do not overmix.
03 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, shaping it into a loaf.
04 - In a small bowl, stir together the tomato sauce, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Spread evenly over the top of the meatloaf.
05 - Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
06 - Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the center reaches 165°F and the top is golden.
07 - Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs if liked.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Ground chicken stays incredibly moist when paired with Parmesan and a splash of milk, so you never get that dry, crumbly disappointment.
- The balsamic tomato glaze tastes like you spent hours on it but literally takes thirty seconds to stir together.
02 -
- Overmixing the meat turns the loaf dense and rubbery, so stop folding the moment everything looks evenly distributed.
- Checking the internal temperature with a thermometer is the only reliable way to know it is done, since chicken can look cooked on the outside while remaining pink inside.
03 -
- Let the mixed meatloaf sit in the fridge for thirty minutes before baking, because chilled mixture holds its shape better and cooks more evenly.
- A quarter cup of fresh grated Parmesan on top creates a crust that people will actually fight over, so grate it yourself for the best melt.