Description
Mini Chicken Parmesan Meatloaves are a delicious, easy-to-make twist on classic chicken parmesan. These individual-sized meatloaves combine ground chicken with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic, then baked to perfection and topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, they are flavorful, moist, and topped with a fresh parsley garnish for a pop of color and freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Meatloaf Mixture
- 2 lbs. ground chicken
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Topping
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups freshly grated mozzarella cheese
- Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, Parmesan cheese, all-purpose flour, eggs, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined to keep the texture tender—avoid over mixing to prevent toughness.
- Shape Meatloaves: Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Shape each portion into a small loaf shape and place them spaced a few inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Initial Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. This allows the chicken to cook through almost completely.
- Add Topping: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Spread about a tablespoon of marinara sauce over the top of each mini meatloaf, then sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of freshly grated mozzarella cheese on each.
- Final Bake: Return the meatloaves to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, just until the mozzarella cheese melts and slightly bubbles.
- Check Doneness and Serve: Ensure the meatloaves reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Garnish each with freshly chopped parsley if desired, serve warm, and enjoy!
Notes
- Do not overmix the meat mixture to maintain a tender meatloaf.
- If you don’t have parchment paper, lightly grease the baking sheet to prevent sticking.
- Use a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature reaches 165°F to ensure safety.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better and provides richer flavor compared to pre-shredded.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
