Chicken and Lamb Pesto Meatloaf
Tender ground lamb and chicken combine in this herbaceous meatloaf with a surprise pesto center! This versatile bake renders its own jewel-green essence, which makes the perfect drizzle for cauliflower mash and tender greens.
This recipe happens to be gluten-free, dairy-free, Paleo, low-carb, and AIP.
Full disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Purchasing a product using one of these links will support my work at no additional cost to you. Please know that I only recommend products I use, believe to be helpful to my readers, and/or wholeheartedly stand by.
Chef's Notes:
This recipe comes to us by way of AIP expert and cookbook author, Kate Jay of Healing Family Eats. Here's what she has to say about this scrumptious recipe:
I’m a fan of meatloaf, and I also love having a jar of pesto to pep up my meals. So I recently thought, Why not put the two together? And ohmagosh! Turns out it’s a winner dinner. Not only is it seriously scrumptious with its surprise pesto center, but it comes with its own psychedelic herby green sauce.
Choosing pasture-raised lamb and chicken means a higher Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio, which will help bring down inflammation and create good quality amino acids (needed to keep us in balance). The healthy fats from the coconut, olive and avocado oils (and the olives themselves) will help do that, too.
Leafy herbs are high on the nutrient density scale, and you’ll find plenty here to nourish the body and help with energy production and support the health of the thyroid gland.
This meatloaf is pretty quick to put together, but if you want to speed up the process even more, you can prepare the different components in advance and assemble everything when you want to get cooking.
Delicious hot, warm or cold, this meatloaf will take you right through the year. Try it nice and hot during the cooler months with mashed root veggies for a comforting supper. Serve with a hearty salad when the weather starts to warm up, and wrap up a cold meatloaf to take on a picnic when the weather is hot. You’re going to love this versatile bake.
SERVE IT WITH: Olive Oil Mashed Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes
Thyroid-healthy Recipe Highlights:
- Cauliflower: A 1 cup serving of cauliflower contains 73% of your daily Vitamin C, and is high in many other nutrients like vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin K. It is low in calories, and high in fiber making it a good choice for weight loss, and gut health.
- Lamb: In addition to selenium, zinc, and iron, a 4 oz. portion of ground lamb provides 91% RDI of the essential amino acid Tyrosine, which the thyroid gland combines with iodine to make thyroid hormone.
- Chicken is a very good source of selenium, which helps to regulate the production of thyroid hormone, convert T4 to T3, and protect the thyroid from stress. A 3-ounce serving of chicken provides 84% RDI of the essential amino acid Tyrosine, which the thyroid gland combines with iodine to produce thyroid hormone.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil is considered one of the world’s healthiest fats. Some of its many scientifically-proven health benefits include anti-inflammatory properties, high antioxidants, and reduced risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease.
- Dark Green Leafy Vegetables or "DGLVs" are one of the most highly-recommended foods to eat more of by nutritionists from all schools. In addition to being high in fiber, low in calories, and extremely nutrient-dense, they feature several key thyroid-supporting nutrients such as Vitamins A, C, and B vitamins, as well as magnesium, potassium, and iron. While some greens, especially those in the brassica family like kale and collards, have been purported to slow thyroid function when eaten raw and in large amounts, any goitrogenic (thyroid-inhibiting) properties are greatly reduced by cooking the greens.
- Garlic has many powerful healing properties, which can aid or alleviate some of the symptoms of thyroid conditions such as inflammation, cardiovascular issues, decreased immunity, and increased infection. It can also support the liver in its detoxification efforts.
Happy cooking, happy thriving, and enjoy the recipe (below)!
P.S. Need more thyroid-friendly recipe inspiration? I’ve got you covered. My Thyroid-friendly Everyday eCookbook features over 50 quick and easy, thyroid-friendly recipes your whole family will love. To take a peek at what’s inside, CLICK HERE.
Suggested Accompaniments:
- Olive Oil Mashed Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes
- Simply Perfect Wild Rice
- Herb Roasted Asparagus
- The Ultimate Dairy-free Mashed Potatoes
- Bacon and Chive Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Parsnip Sage Risotto
- Toasted Quinoa
