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Sliced Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf with melted mozzarella center, golden crust, and parsley garnish on a wooden serving board.

Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf

A comforting twist on classic meatloaf made with ground chicken, Parmesan, herbs, and a gooey mozzarella center. Topped with marinara and a golden, cheesy breadcrumb crust.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground chicken or turkey
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese real Parm recommended
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 egg
  • 2 mozzarella cheese sticks cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil.
  2. Heat a bit of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until softened and fragrant. Let cool.
  3. In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, cooled onion mixture, seasoned breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, parsley, milk, egg, and a pinch of salt. Mix gently until combined.
  4. Form half the meat mixture into a loaf base on the prepared baking sheet.
  5. Place mozzarella cheese stick pieces down the center of the loaf.
  6. Cover with the remaining meat mixture and shape into a sealed loaf, enclosing the cheese.
  7. Spoon marinara sauce over the top of the loaf.
  8. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the loaf is nearly cooked through.
  9. In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and melted butter.
  10. Sprinkle the panko mixture over the meatloaf and return to the oven for 15 more minutes, until golden and bubbling.
  11. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing to help the cheese set and the slices hold together.
  12. Serve with extra marinara sauce on the side if desired.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey for chicken if preferred. Don’t skip the resting step—it ensures clean slices and keeps the cheese from oozing out. Leftovers make great sandwiches!