As a young girl, and the daughter of immigrant parents, I didn’t grow up with the “traditional” Canadian comfort foods like macaroni and cheese, chicken noodle soup, or – everyone’s favourite – meatloaf. Instead, I stared at my plate of curried chicken and rice with dismay, dreaming about the wonderful taste sensations that were advertised as electric orange pasta in a box.
Years later, as an adult, I learned how to buy chicken noodle soup in a can and make the said electric orange pasta. And then, I craved my mom’s spicy, homemade curried chicken with unmatched longing and nostalgia. Who knew – I grew up with comfort foods after all.
However, there’s one comfort food I missed out on – warm, dense, perfectly moist meatloaf. How I love meatloaf! One of the easiest made-from-scratch meals you can serve your family, it’s my favourite go-to dish when I want minimal fuss and maximum comfort factor. And for a meal my whole family gobbles up (especially the boys!) I always make my Italian Chicken Meatloaf, featuring Maple Leaf Prime Naturally Extra Lean Ground Chicken.
This recipe yields a moist, delicious meatloaf without all the fat and calories of a traditional ground beef loaf. I like to serve it with additional warmed tomato sauce, however, it’s great on its own or thinly sliced for sandwiches too. Best of all, it freezes beautifully.
INGREDIENTS
2 lb Maple Leaf Prime Naturally Extra Lean Ground Chicken
2 eggs
1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp each salt and ground pepper
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of your favorite tomato or pasta sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
parsley, for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a loaf pan with non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, eggs, breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese. Place the combined mixture into your prepared loaf pan. Evenly spread pasta sauce on top of the loaf and bake in pre-heated oven for 45 minutes.
Remove meatloaf from oven and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Place back in the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing. Serves 6-8.
For more delicious winter warming meals, visit Maple Leaf Prime on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
This sounds really good! I love how simple your recipe is and I’ve also never tried to make meat loaf with chicken instead of beef. We love meatloaf though, so I will be trying this I’m sure.
Thanks Victoria! I call this an “un-recipe” because really, it’s just basic Italian flavourings, Still, turns out perfectly every time!
OK – now my tummy is starting to rumble – sounds yummy ! Going to put this in my recipe folder for sure :)
Please do – I really think you’ll like it!
Looks yummy! I have never ventured beyond the traditional beef meatloaf but I really should!
Of course you should! Ground chicken is amazing in meat loaf… and better for you too!
that looks yummy
Give it a try, Mr Disco!
Sad truth : Ive never attempted any sort of meatloaf
Oh no! It’s like the easiest thing in the world to make!
This sounds yummy! Parm, garlic, cheese…Heaven!
I agree! This taste combination never fails!
Thanks for sharing this Lena, it looks very good and something different for me to make instead of beef all the time, I have everything but the grnd. chicken, going to go get me some and surprise the family, I just can’t tell them what it is or they won’t eat it..lol
LOL – How did turn out, Lynda?
That looks delicious! I’m not a fan of Parm so I’d leave it out.
You can absolutely leave it out! And I’m going to try this recipe again with incorporating mozzarella into the loaf to make it extra cheesy – I’m hoping it will turn out great!
this sounds great (after tweaking the recipe to remove the veggies I don’t like.) I never would have thought to use ground chicken. we usually buy ground beef or boneless skinless chicken breast for meals but I have never even tried ground chicken.
Me either, her recipes always sound and look soooo good!
Ground chicken is yummy! And when you ladle tomato sauce over a slice of this meatloaf, it tastes exactly like chicken parmigiana!
Yummy! I have all the ingredients on hand and I’m going to make it for dinner tonight! Thanks for sharing.
Perfect! Let me know what you think, Marissa!
Im not a meatloaf liker but this one with the chicken sounds yummy
Maybe I can convert you Chandra? :)
Meatloaf with chicken? I totally want to try it.
Please do Stephanie!
I wonder what the addition of Bacon would do to the dish
I think it would probably make it delicious as heck :)
This looks good. My kids have a hard time trying new things and I have never made meat loaf for them but I would try this.
Please do Tricha! Both my kids like it smothered with tomato sauce.
Really sounds good. I have some ground turkey in the freezer so I might substitute this and make this up dinner one night this week!
Awesome! I haven’t tried it with turkey but certainly would!
Mmmm that looks delicious and easy to make
Both true statements!
I didn’t grow up eating meat loaf, but now as an adult love it. I have been looking for a good recipe, I shall give it a try.
Please do Lori! it’s a great change from ground beef!
Ah… maybe we can make it happen next week :)
I love meatloaf, but have never made chicken meatloaf. This looks delicious! I’ve pinned the recipe so I can try it. Thanks.
Thank you Cheryl, enjoy!
This looks delicious, we are huge meatloaf lovers but never thought of a chicken meatloaf. Adding it to grocery list for this week. Thank you!
You’re welcome Leigh-Ann, enjoy!
This looks so good!!
Thanks Rick! Please try it!
This is what is for dinner tonight with Garlic Mashed and salad! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Awesome! How did you like it Jen?
Thank you Lena for posting. I made this last evening for supper. It was a winner for me and my husband. Went nicely with my veggies of turnip, carrot, sweet potato and broccoli.
I have actually never had meatloaf because I don’t eat much beef so this is a great alternative!
This sounds awesome , will have to try it out and see what its like ,, thanks for sharing :)
Your recipe looks delicious and it’s nice to see something different in a meatloaf by using chicken instead of beef