Comfort food keeps us steady. A homemade meal is always the same and cozy even when life is hectic. Meatloaf was always a comfort food, however, with time it acquired a poor reputation as being dry, bland, or old-fashioned. This Juicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf is set to change this.
This dish is made lighter yet very satisfying by replacing beef with ground chicken, and adding garlic, parmesan cheese, and herbs to this recipe. It is richly flavored, soft in texture and has a mildly rich topping full of cheesy flavor but not heavy. It could be that you are cooking to feed your family, preparing weekly meals, or you just need something meaty and homemade, this chicken meatloaf is it.
What Makes This Chicken Meatloaf Special?
Chicken meatloaf may be deceitful. Chicken is not as fat as beef and therefore can easily become dry unless it is managed appropriately. The balance is the key to this recipe. Moisture food is used such as milk, eggs, breadcrumbs, and cheese making the meat tender and juicy. Onion and garlic are finely chopped and added all over the loaf and herbs prevent a flat feeling of the loaf.
The parmesan cheese serves not just to put salt. It is also found to add depth and umami which makes the chicken rich and complex as it bakes. The meatloaf is taken out of the oven shimmering with a melted mozzarella and a buttery and a garlic finish making it very enticing.
Flavor, Texture, and Aroma
When the meat loaf is roasting, the aroma of the kitchen is full of roasted garlic, melted cheese and herbs. It is slightly caramelized on the outside, and on the inside, it is soft and wet. The slices hold well together and are therefore good to serve fresh or reheat at a later date.
There is something comforting yet not dull about this dish. It is not that uncommon as to offend the delicate taste, but not that good as to interest any one at dinner-table.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
For the meatloaf:
- 1½ pounds ground chicken
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, finely chopped
For the topping:
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped, or a little red pepper flakes.
Instructions:
1: Preheat the oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a loaf pan lightly or lay parchment paper in it so that the meatloaf does not stick to it.
2: Prepare the mixture
Combine ground chicken, breadcrumbs, parmesan, eggs, milk, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and parsley in a large bowl. Add thoroughly until the mixture is smooth. Overmixing may cause a loaf to be dense.
3: Shape the meatloaf
Pour the mixture in the loaf pan or roll the mixture in to a loaf in a parchment lined baking tray. Press not too hard as to make the loaf smooth but do not press it too tight.
4: Bake the meatloaf
Place the loaf in the oven and bake between 35-40 minutes until it becomes mostly cooked.
5: Add the topping
Brush the butter and garlic powder that has melted together over the loaf. Evenly sprinkle the mozzarella and the parmesan over.
6: Finish baking:
Put the loaf back in the oven and bake as long as 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbling and somewhat golden.
7: Rest before slicing:
Removed the loaf and allowed to rest 5-10 minutes. The juices are allowed to spread and the slices are held in place by resting.
Tips for the Best Results
- Do not over root the mixture of meat.
- Freshly grated parmesan is the best tasting.
- Do not cut the loaf till it lies.
- Bread test at the beginning of baking.
In case you prefer servings, you can divide the mixture into smaller loaves and reduce the time of cooking slightly.
Easy Variations and Add-Ins
This cooking recipe is highly flexible. Extra veggies are spinach, bell peppers or zucchini that should be chopped into fines. Substitute mozzarella with provolone, Monterey jack or mild cheddar. Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and will be used, or Italian-style breadcrumbs can be used to add more seasoning.
To add some tang, a small amount of Dijon mustard should be added. To achieve more of a luxurious taste, add a splash of cream to the topping butter.
Serving Suggestions
This flavorful garlic parmesan chicken meatloaf is a tasty dish to have with typical soup-up sides such as mashed potatoes, roast carrots, green beans, or a fresh garden salad. It is also served with rice or butter-noodles. Remaining slices are also excellent sandwiches on the second day.
Storage and Reheating
Store foodstuffs in an air tight container in the fridge within a span of three days. Heat it up in the oven or microwave with a cover to ensure it is moist. The meatloaf can be also frozen to a span of two months and re-heated as and when required.
Final Thoughts
Juicy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf demonstrates how a comfort food can become different and still remain the same. It is hot, delicious, and weighty, yet light-hearted and more contemporary than traditional ones. Once you have tried it, this recipe is likely to be part of your meal repertoire as it will continue to comfort and add flavor to your table.
Happy Cooking!