Warm and comforting, garlic Parmesan chicken meatloaves are a delightful treat. The crispy garlic combined with the rich, cheesy Parmesan, all roasted to perfection, makes for a super delicious dish. It’s quick to prepare, bursting with flavor, and perfect for serving both family meals or dinner parties. Using chicken offers a lighter, healthier twist on the classic meatloaf.
Why Choose Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf?
These garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves are delicious and better for you than traditional beef meatloaf! Chicken is a low-fat protein that accommodates many diet types. Plus, the garlic and parmesan mixture creates such a great flavor that is a hit with grown-ups and little ones. It’s great comfort food but better-for-you!
It is the wild, sweet, bold and somewhat exotic set of flavors that make these chicken meatloaves delicious and interesting. Garlic packs in salty flavor, while the parmesan provides richness and complexity. They pair well together, have a high food fulfillment factor.
Ingredients You Will Need
What ingredients do you need to make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf?
- Ground chicken (1 lb)
- Garlic, minced (4-5 cloves)
- parmesan cheese which has been grated (½ cup)
- Italian breadcrumbs (½ cup)
- Eggs (2 large)
- Parsley, chopped (2 tbsp)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil (1 tbsp)
- Milk (¼ cup)
How to Make Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaves
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating oven to 375°F (190°C). This helps to cook the meatloaves evenly.
- Combine All The Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, eggs, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. If it is not moist enough, add some milk to the mix.
- Form the Meatloaves: Once everything is well combined, form the mixture into little meatloaves. Whether or not you want them big or small depends on you, you can pick and choose to make four to six small meatloaves.
- Bake the Meatloaves: Place the meatloaves on a parchment-lined baking sheet or lightly greased pan. Sprinkle some very good olive oil over the meatloaves for a golden crust. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a internal temperature of 165 degrees is reached.
- Serve: Allow the meatloaves to rest a few minutes before serving. Serve sprinkled with more fresh parsley and more parmesan, if you like.
The Benefits of Garlic in Your Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaves
Garlic is not only the delicious ingredient in the garlic parmesan chicken meatloaf, but garlic has so many health benefits we should all take advantage of. Here’s what’s going on with the garlic in this dish:
Strengthens Immunity:
We all know that garlic is an antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal agent. It contributes to boosting the immune system, or making it easier for your body to fend off illness. Garlicky Meatloaf Popping some garlic into your meatloaf as you would normally also is an easy way to amp up your immune system.
Supports Heart Health:
Garlic is known to help with heart health. It may help reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and improve circulation. Regular intake of garlic has been associated with heart disease prevention, so it pairs well with a heart-healthy diet.
High on antioxidants:
Garlic has very high levels of antioxidants that help kill the harmful free radicals in the body. This can help lower oxidative stress, keep you young, and protect your cells from damage. The health benefits of antioxidants in garlic may help maintain the overall cleansing/rejuvenating effect in the long run.
Encourages Digestive Health:
This is not the only thing we can get out of Garlic, it can also be helpful for your tummy. It is a good source of prebiotic compounds, and can promote the growth of valuable gut bacteria. This may help you digest more easily and support a healthy digestive system therefore garlic is perfect ingredient for overall well-being.
Anti-Inflammatory:
The sulfur compounds in garlic, including allicin, have anti-inflammatory effects. Eating garlic regularly can help with inflammation in the system that leads to conditions like arthritis being good for general body health and comfort.
So add some garlic to your garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves and enjoy all of these incredible health benefits in each bite.
Why Chicken and Parmesan Cheese Have Always Been a Perfect Pair
Another important food is parmesan in garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves. Salty and nutty tasting, parmesan cheese has a luscious, creamy consistency, which makes it perfect for this recipe! It’s subtle, and pairs well with chicken without overwhelming everything.
Tasty as it is, parmesan cheese also gives you a nice serving of calcium and protein, so you can be sure you’re doing yourself some good. Parmesan also has a lot of flavor so a little goes far, giving your meatloaf a juicy and delicious flavor without using too much.
Tips for Perfect Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaves
Follow these tips for garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves that are absolutely drool-worthy when it comes to flavor, texture, and appearance!
Don’t Overmix the Meat:
It can help to mix your ingredients on a 1 setting or 2 setting in your stand mixer to prevent overmixing the ground chicken. Mixing it too much will result in tough, dense meatloaf. Stir just until combined to keep the batter tender and light.
Fresh Garlic is Best:
Fresh garlic offers a much more robust flavor than pre minced garlic or garlic powder. Grate your own fresh garlic for the freshest, most pungent and authentic flavor to set off your meatloaf.
Moisture:
Milk is used for some moisture in these chicken meatloaf. This will make sure the peppers do not dry out while they’re baking. You can throw in a little bit of chicken broth for some extra flavor.
Season Liberally:
Ground chicken is less flavorful than beef, so be sure to season the meatloaf liberally with salt, pepper and herbs. Add more garlic or a bit of Italian seasoning to give a flavor boost.
Fresh Parsley:
This fresh herb doesn’t just add a sprinkle of color to this meatloaf recipe, it adds flavor too. You can also play around with basil and oregano for a flavor twist.
Avoid Overcooking:
Cook chicken to 165°F (74°C) so that it’s juicy and safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to make certain the meat reaches the proper temperature and does not overcook, getting dry.
Drizzle Olive Oil over the Top for a Golden Finish:
For a golden, crispy crust, drizzle a little olive oil over the meatloaves before baking. It will give them a rich, savory crust and the inside still will be moist.
Just remember to use the best ingredients you can find and the best garlic parmesan chicken meatloaf are yours!I hope you found these tips helpful and happy cooking!
What to Serve with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf
Garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves are the ideal combination of savoury flavour fullness and that they just happen to be DELICIOUS served alongside of any number of side dishes for one awesome meal. Some delicious ways to serve it to go alongside it’s rich flavor are:
Roasted Vegetables:
Roasted veggies like carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, or Brussels sprouts make a great side for this dish. Their inherent sweetness also looks gorgeous next to the garlic and parmesan, and bring some colour and texture to your plate. Just coat them in olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until they are crisp and tender.
Mashed Potatoes:
Silky mashed potatoes go great with meatloaf. That smooth mashed potatoes, goes perfect with my crusty meatloaf for a cozy dish. We’ve also added roasted garlic or sour cream to up the flavor and richness.
Green Salad:
A crisp green salad makes a cool side to hearty meatloaf. Lighten things up with a lemon or balsamic vinaigrette, if you like, for a tangy jolt against the richness. Add mixed greens, arugula, spinach, or even a few slices of avocado for an added dimension of freshness.
Pasta:
If you want an Italian twist, you can serve garlic parmesan chicken meat loaves with pasta on the side. Spaghetti, fettuccine or penne in a light sauce of olive oil and garlic is good. You can also sprinkle a little more parmesan on top if you like!
Garlic Bread:
If you’re anticipating all the garlic vibes, go ahead and whip up some garlic bread as a side to serve with your meatloaf. The buttery, garlicky bread makes a perfect side to sop up the meatloaf’s juices, and ensures an extra hit of flavor.
The meatloaf is savory, cheesy, and is perfectly paired with both of these sides rounding out the meal.
The Best Way to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves (not likely but if) don’t be troubled. They keep well and are good for a few days of eating. Just get the meatloaves to the point of placing them in an airtight container and and keep them in the fridge for a few days 3-4.
To heat up, you can microwave single servings or bake in the oven. If in the oven, place the meatloaf on a baking sheet and cover the top with tinfoil to help keep it moist. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Final Thoughts on Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaves
These garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves are a tasty, tasty, healthier spin on classic comfort food. These meatloaves are packed with so much garlic and parmesan, they’re bound to be a family favorite. They easy, versatile and so nutritious and are a fantastic way to enjoy chicken made in a fresh, new way.
Whether you’re just making them for a weeknight dinner or preparing them for a special occasion, I bet you will WOW everyone with these garlic parmesan chicken meatloaves. And make the recipe your own by adding your favorite herbs and spices. Delight your family with this easy but delicious meal that everyone will want seconds of.