Chicken Meatloaf

This ground chicken meatloaf recipe is healthy and delicious, and it takes only a few minutes of prep work to make this lightened-up version of a comfort food classic. 

Post includes Weight Watchers points.

Ground Chicken Meatloaf is comforting and wholesome. Ground chicken breast is combined with tender onions, garlic, herbs, and spices and topped with a sticky sweet glaze.

This chicken meatloaf recipe is as tender and moist as traditional meatloaf made with ground beef but is lower in fat. Adding more veggies is easy, and you can even tweak the recipe a bit to make it low carb or gluten-free. 

Chicken Meatloaf is perfect for meal prep. Prep the meatloaf mixture up to 24 hours in advance or pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Bake it fresh and serve with your favorite comfort food sides, such as mashed potatoes and steamed veggies.

Just like this recipe for Buttermilk Chicken Tenders and my classic Doritos Chicken, your whole family will love this tasty chicken meatloaf recipe!

Why Make This Recipe

• It’s Healthy and Delicious – Ground chicken breast is low in fat but high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, so it’s the perfect alternative to ground beef. 
• It’s So Easy – You can prep this recipe in about 5 minutes. And, while it bakes for about an hour, it hands off so you can tend to other tasks. 
• It’s Kid and Parent Approved – Parents know it’s healthy, and kids love it, so it’s a win for everybody. 

Ingredient Notes

• Chicken – Lean ground chicken breast makes the meatloaf healthy and lower in fat. 
• Breadcrumbs – Adding breadcrumbs helps to preserve moisture and adds texture to the meatloaf. I used panko, but you can substitute regular breadcrumbs, gluten free bread crumbs, crackers, oatmeal or almond flour. 
• Milk – Use whatever kind of milk you have on hand. Higher-fat milk or cream will keep the meatloaf moist but will add to the fat content. 
• Aromatics – Chopped onion and minced garlic cloves add flavor and aroma.  Use garlic powder and onion powder if you prefer.
• Egg – The egg acts as a binder to prevent the meatloaf from falling apart. 
• Cheese – Freshly grated parmesan cheese adds a nutty flavor. Substitute with your favorite cheese. 
• Herbs and Spices – Combine fresh parsley, dried thyme, salt, ground pepper and ground nutmeg. 
• Worcestershire Sauce – This adds a deep, rich, umami flavor. You can also use soy sauce or substitute tamari or amino acids when making gluten free. 
• Ketchup – Use your favorite ketchup or barbecue sauce. You can also substitute tomato paste. 
• Brown Sugar – Adds a bit of sweetness to the glaze. 
• Vinegar – Balances the sweetness and helps to give the glaze a nice shine. 

Ready to learn how to make delicious chicken meatloaf? Gather up your ingredients, and I will show you…

How To Make Ground Chicken Meatloaf

Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F / 175 degrees C, grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan, and line it with parchment if desired. 
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with all of the meatloaf ingredients. Mix with your hands or a spoon until just incorporated. 
3. Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan. Press between the loaf and the pan to gently form a rounded top. 
4. Whisk the ketchup, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl to make the glaze. 
5. Brush half of the glaze over the top of the meatloaf and bake for 45 minutes. 
6. Top with the remaining glaze and cook for another 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C when checked with a digital thermometer.
7. Let the chicken loaf rest for 15 minutes, then remove it from the pan, slice, and serve.
   

Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of any type of chicken should be at least 165 degrees F / 74 degrees C.

Tips For Success

• Bring the meat and the egg to room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing. 
• Pour the milk over the breadcrumbs and allow them to soak for a few minutes before adding to the loaf mixture. 
• Use your hands to mix the ingredients for the best results. Overmixing can cause the meatloaf to be tough, and using your hands makes it less likely you’ll overmix. 
• If you don’t have a loaf pan or prefer a more freeform shape, you can shape the meatloaf on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Press gently when forming the meatloaf. 
• Let the cooked meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the juices to redistribute. 
• Use the leftover meatloaf for sandwiches or add it to pasta, tacos, or as a breakfast meat with eggs and hashbrowns.

Variations

• Meatloaf Muffins / Meatloaf Cupcakes – Make individual mini meatloaves by pressing the mixture into a muffin tin. Reduce the cooking time to 20-30 minutes.  
• Dairy Free – Skip the cheese and use dairy-free milk such as oat milk. You can also use seltzer water. 
• Gluten Free – Use gluten free breadcrumbs and substitute the Worcestershire sauce with gluten free soy sauce, tamari or liquid aminos. 

Budget-Friendly Tips 

• Make your own breadcrumbs using leftover bread. 
• Make meatloaf muffins and store in the freezer. They are perfect for a quick and easy lunch.

Prep Ahead And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Meatloaf can be made up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge until you are ready to bake.  
• Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. 
• Freeze – Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge then cook or reheat.
• Reheat – Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degrees F / 175 degrees C oven for 20-25 minutes or until warmed. You can also microwave individual slices. 

Meal Prep

• Bring the ground meat and the egg to room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing. 
• Prepare the meatloaf mixture up to 24 hours in advance. Cover with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until ready to bake. 
• Freeze meatloaf (cooked or uncooked) for an easy meal later on. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then cook or reheat. 

FAQs

More Recipes You May Like

• Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti.
• Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe.
• Instant Pot Irish Chicken Stew.

Serving Suggestions

• Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
• Smothered Green Beans.
• Texas Sheet Cake.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 4 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

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