juicy chicken meatloaf recipe

Chicken Meatloaf

This tasty and tender Chicken Meatloaf gives classic beef meatloaf a run for its money! Crafted with lean ground chicken and topped with a traditional tangy ketchup glaze, its a delightful and healthy alternative that is destined to become a family favorite!

Healthy Chicken Meatloaf Recipe

In the world of comfort food, few dishes can match the hearty homestyle satisfaction of a perfectly baked ground beef meatloaf. But what if there was a lighter, juicier, and just as flavorful alternative!?? Meet my chicken meatloaf recipe! Its a mouthwatering take on the classic thats lighter on the calories and fat, but not on the flavor!

Furthermore, this chicken meatloaf is perfect for family meal prepping. You can easily prepare it ahead of time and serve it the next day or slice it into portions for the week. Whether youre looking for a lighter meal option or simply want to try something new, chicken meatloaf is a delicious choice that combines the comfort of meatloaf with the goodness of chicken.

Why Youll Love This Chicken Meatloaf

1. Easy Recipe! Whether youre a busy parent looking for a quick weeknight dinner solution or a novice in the kitchen, this chicken meatloaf recipe is incredibly easy and delicious.
2. Healthy Delicious Meatloaf! This isnt a boring chicken meatloaf! Its a tasty twist on the comforting classic that offers a lighter, leaner alternative without compromising on taste.
3. Family Favorite! From the youngest members of the family who might be a bit finicky about their food to adults, this meatloaf wins over the hearts and taste buds of all ages.

• Ground Chicken: Forms the base of this meatloaf, offering a lean and flavorful alternative to traditional beef. Feel free to use ground turkey if you like.
• Breadcrumbs: Add structure and help to absorb moisture, which creates a moist and tender texture. Any type of breadcrumbs will work including gluten-free and panko breadcrumbs.
• Milk: Used to soak the breadcrumbs, it contributes to the tenderness and prevents the meatloaf from drying out during baking. You can use dairy-free milk alternatives if needed.
• Onion: Finely chopped or shredded onion adds a savory flavor to the meatloaf. Brown onion works best but any onion you have on hand will do the trick.
• Garlic: Adds pungent depth of flavor. Always use freshly minced garlic cloves for the most aromatic garlicky goodness.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent that helps to hold the meatloaf together and maintain its shape during baking.
• Ketchup: Provides rich tomato flavor and a hint of sweetness.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a savory and slightly tangy, which enhances the overall taste.
• Herbs: Dried parsley and thyme elevate the meatloaf with their aromatic herby flavor.
• Seasonings: Salt and black pepper are essential seasonings that highlight all the natural flavors.

How To Make Chicken Meatloaf

Making homemade meatloaf is a breeze! It doesnt require any complex steps or fancy ingredients. Its the perfect solution for a home-cooked meal that demands minimal effort and delivers maximum flavor.

Preheat The Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350F (175C). Then lightly grease a loaf pan or spray it with cooking spray and set it aside. This simple step is important to ensure that your meatloaf doesnt stick.

Soak The Breadcrumbs

This next step is the secret to keeping your meatloaf moist and tender! In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Then leave the mixture to sit for a few minutes until the breadcrumbs have soaked up all the milk.

Make The Meatloaf Mixture

Once the breadcrumbs are ready, combine them together with the ground chicken, onion, garlic, egg, cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, parsley, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Then mix everything together just until combined. Its important not to overmix as it can make the meatloaf heavy and dense.

Form The Meatloaf

Now, lets shape a meatloaf! First, transfer the ground chicken mixture into the greased loaf pan and use your hands to form it into a loaf. Then evenly spread the remaining 2 tablespoons of ketchup over the meatloaf and your work is done!

Bake The Meatloaf

With your masterpiece formed, transfer it to the oven to bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. Your ground chicken meatloaf is considered fully cooked and is ready once it reaches an internal temperature of 165F (74C).

Rest And Serve

Once done, remove the chicken meatloaf from the oven and let it rest for a good 10 minutes before slicing into it to serve. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute and keeps it nice and juicy. Then slice it and serve with some side dishes like sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts if you like!

Serve This Meatloaf With These Sides

Make-Ahead Chicken Meatloaf

Simply prepare the meatloaf as instructed and, instead of baking it, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. It can be made a day in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more flavorful dish.

When youre ready to enjoy it, just preheat the oven and bake it as directed. This make-ahead method is especially handy for busy schedules, saving time and reducing stress around meal prep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I add to my meatloaf?

For added flavor and texture, consider incorporating sauted mushrooms and onions. You can also mix in finely chopped vegetables like carrots and celery. Also, feel free to experiment with different herbs and seasonings as well as other sauces like BBQ sauce in place of the ketchup. Just remember to keep the ratio of ingredients about the same.

What is the secret to juicy meatloaf?

The inclusion of the soaked breadcrumbs in milk is key to the meatloafs tenderness. Also, its important to avoid overmixing the meat mixture, as excessive handling can result in a denser texture.

Why is my meatloaf rubbery?

Overmixing the meat mixture can lead to tightly bound proteins and result in a tough, rubbery texture. Additionally, using lean ground chicken breast with a super low-fat content can contribute to a drier and less tender meatloaf.

Expert Tips

1. Let the breadcrumbs soak. Make sure the breadcrumbs absorb all the milk before making the meat mixture. This helps the meatloaf to stay tender and moist.
2. Dont overmix the meat mixture. Its important to be gentle when combining all the ingredients together to avoid overmixing, which will make the meatloaf dense.
3. Check for doneness. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure that the meatloaf has reached an internal temperature of 165F (74C).
4. Rest before slicing. Let the chicken meatloaf sit for about 10 minutes after baking. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a juicier meatloaf when sliced.
5. Make mini meatloaves. If you prefer individual servings or quicker cooking times, form the meat mixer into mini meatloaves.

Storage

You can store any leftover chicken meatloaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Its also possible to freeze the meatloaf tightly wrapped in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. When youre ready to enjoy it again, simply thaw it in the fridge if frozen, and reheat it in the oven at 350F (175C) or in the microwave on medium heat.

Discover Other Ground Chicken Recipes

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Chicken Meatloaf

This Chicken Meatloaf is a delicious twist on a classic dish, mixing flavorful ground chicken with soft breadcrumbs and a mix of tasty seasonings, all topped with a sweet and tangy ketchup glaze. Its a super easy and quick recipe thats sure to be a hit with the whole family, making it a perfect choice for a fuss-free dinner!

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total : 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

serves: 6

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350F (175C) and lightly grease a loaf pan.

• In a small bowl, soak the breadcrumbs in the milk for a few minutes until the milk is absorbed.

• In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken, soaked breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, egg, cup of ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix the ingredients together until they are just combined. Don't overmix as it can make the meatloaf dense.

• Transfer the mixture to the prepared loaf pan and shape it into a loaf. Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons of ketchup over the top of the meatloaf.

• Bake for about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165F (74C).

• Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips & Notes:

1. Ground Chicken: Ensure its well mixed but avoid overmixing to maintain a light texture.
2. Breadcrumbs: Can substitute with panko or crushed crackers if preferred.
3. Milk: Use any milk of choice; dairy-free alternatives like almond or soy milk work too.
4. Ketchup Topping: Feel free to add a bit of brown sugar or honey to the ketchup for a sweeter glaze. You can also use your favorite BBQ sauce if you prefer.
5. Resting Time: Allowing the meatloaf to rest for 10 minutes helps in retaining the juices, making it more flavorful and moist.

nutrition facts

Serving: 1serving Calories: 292kcal (15%) Carbohydrates: 13g (4%) Protein: 30g (60%) Fat: 14g (22%) Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g Monounsaturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0.1g Cholesterol: 162mg (54%) Sodium: 305mg (13%) Potassium: 936mg (27%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 147IU (3%) Vitamin C: 3mg (4%) Calcium: 71mg (7%) Iron: 2mg (11%)

Course:Dinner

Cuisine:American

Easy Moist Ground Chicken Meatloaf

Jump to Recipe

This is the most delicious, juicy, and flavorful Ground Chicken Meatloaf thats a perfect go-to family dinner main dish! It takes just 10 minutes prep time to put together and 45 minutes to bake with no fuss at all!

Who doesnt like meatloaf? Even if you think you dont like meatloaf, you probably do. In fact, my Easy Beef 5-Ingredient Meatloaf without Breadcrumbs is the most popular recipe on this blog! But you may not always, or maybe ever, want beef and thats where this healthier alternative Ground Chicken Meatloaf without Breadcrumbs comes in! This recipe takes chicken and infuses it with huge flavor!

When using ground chicken, you really have to add lots of flavorful ingredients. The garlic and onions bring moisture and flavor since chicken has very little natural flavor. The Worcestershire brings unami, that something special. And the parmesan gives it a fantastic nutty and cheesy backdrop. It takes just minutes to put together and 45 minutes to bake with no fuss at all! This is a recipe the whole family will love.

Make this for a perfectly easy and delicious main dish for family dinner. Want more tips for making busy family dinners easier? Click here for myFree Printable 5 Simple Steps to Easy Family Dinners!

Easy Ground Chicken Meatloaf with Simple Ingredients!

Fridge or Fresh Ingredients

• Ground Chicken breast I used only white meat, but any fat content of ground chicken or ground turkey will work in this recipe. I always have ground chicken on hand in my freezer as it lasts for 6 months if stored in an airtight container or packaging. I have so many more tips for Prepping and Storing Chicken for Easier Dinners.
• Parmesan Cheese, grated Grated is better than shredded in this recipe as it mixes through and acts as a binder. If you dont want to use cheese, you can use regular bread crumbs or panko breadcrumbs, but the texture may be a bit drier vs. parmesan.
• Onion, diced I used yellow onion, but you can use red onion, shallot, or even scallions in a pinch.
• Egg, large
• Ketchup check out my recipe for Homemade Sugar Free Ketchup with Honey!
• Worcestershire Sauce if you dont have this, you can substitute Soy sauce

Pantry Ingredients

• Salt
• Ground Black Pepper
• Garlic Powder I like garlic powder in this recipe because it really combines throughout the meatloaf. You can use fresh garlic, but I would smash it into a paste and then whisk it into the egg to help give it the best chance of mixing through the meat.

Ground Chicken is a Lean Substitute for Beef

Ive always looked for leaner protein options in my cooking, but it took some convincing for my husband to agree that ground chicken could be just as delicious as ground beef. When I completed my studies at Cornell for a Certification in Nutrition and Healthy Living, it gave me a bit more leverage to convince him. Ground white meat chicken has 26 grams of protein, 110 calories in a 4 ounce serving and 0 grams of fat. On the other hand, 90% lean ground beef has 32 grams of protein, but 260 calories in a 4 ounce serving and 13 grams of fat.

By the numbers, you are still getting a good amount of protein and saving half of the calories with the chicken. However, I knew that he would only truly be sold on leaner ground chicken if I could make it taste amazing!

And so, I have created many super flavorful ground chicken recipes, such asGround Chicken Dan Dan Noodles! Or how about this Easy Tex Mex Unstuffed Peppers recipe with Ground Chicken? Another favorite recipe is for these Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce. Oh, and one of my most versatile recipes that goes into so many dinners, is my Easiest Ground Italian Chicken Sausage Recipe!

Quick note! This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them. This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :). I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used.

Recipe Equipment Needed

For this recipe, you need a standard loaf pan, about 9 inches by 5 inches.

Mincing garlic is made super easy with aGarlic Press.

Time Saving Prep-Ahead Steps for this Recipe

We are all extremely busy and making dinner during the week can be overwhelming. Here are steps you can prepare ahead to save time on busy nights! (See the full recipe below)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F if you are moving directly into cooking steps. Line a loaf pan with aluminum foil for easy removal of the meatloaf after it is cooked.

Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.

In a large mixing bowl, add the raw ground chicken, diced onion, garlic powder, cup ketchup, worcestershire sauce, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients together with a fork in the large bowl.

Once mixed thoroughly, mix in the grated parmesan cheese.

Form a loaf in the loaf pan with the meatloaf ground chicken mixture. Spread the remaining cup Ketchup over the top of the meatloaf. At this point, you can cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 4 months.

Cooking Steps for Ground Chicken Meatloaf

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F if you havent already done so.

Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165 degrees F.

Remove from the oven and let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan, cut and serve.

What should I serve with this Meatloaf?

I love to serve something healthy, but flavorful with this Meatloaf. My favorite side for this is myRoasted Garlic Cauliflower Mash! My next favorite side is myCheesy Cauliflower Rice! Of course, you can also go with more traditional mashed potatoes. And if you want really decadent, try thisCheesy Hashbrown Casserole!Other vegetable side dishes are green beans, roasted carrots, roasted brussels sprouts, roasted or mashed sweet potatoes, or a green salad.

ENJOY! Carrie

Ground Chicken Meatloaf Recipe FAQS

Can I make this Ground Chicken Meatloaf ahead?

You can store the raw meatloaf in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to wrap it really well to prevent air from getting in. Or freeze it for up to 5-6 months, again sealed as well as you can.

Is this Meatloaf with Ground Chicken Gluten Free and Low Carb?

This Ground Chicken Meatloaf Recipe is Gluten Free, assuming that you check all ingredients, including the ketchup to ensure they are also gluten free. is considered low carb. It only has 11 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken in this recipe?

You can definitely substitute ground turkey in this meatloaf recipe. The cooking time will be the same.

What can I use in place of grated Parmesan Cheese?

Parmesan cheese is added to this meatloaf recipe in place of breadcrumbs to help bind the meat mixture. If you want to use a substitute, you can of course use breadcrumbs or gluten free breadcrumbs. You can also use cheddar, manchego, or other hard cheese if you dont have parmesan.

Can I add other ingredients?

Sure! I tried to keep this recipe as simple as possible, but there are lots of other ingredients that would be great additions! Chopped freshparsley ( cup) is great for added brightness and color. A finely diced jalapeno would be delicious for a kick. Red or Green pepper would also be delicious. Dried herbs or seasonings, such as Italian seasoning, paprika, taco seasoning, or other blends would be good. I created a delicious variation on this recipe you can check out 5-Ingredient Mexican Meatloaf!

Have you tried this recipe? If so, please leave a star rating in the recipe below! I love to hear your feedback and your rating helps others to find this recipe. Thanks so much!

Be sure to check out the web story for this Ground Chicken Meatloaf!

Ground Chicken Meatloaf

This is the most delicious, juicy, and flavorful Ground Chicken Meatloaf thats a perfect go-to family dinner main dish! This recipe takes chicken and infuses it with huge flavor from garlic, onions, worcestershire sauce, parmesan cheese, and ketchup. It takes just 10 minutes prep time to put together and 45 minutes to bake with no fuss at all!

Ingredients

• 16ozGround Chickenwhite meat
• 1cupParmesan Cheesegrated
• cupOniondiced
• 1Large Egg
• cupKetchup divided for mixing in and for toppingSee notes for Homemade Ketchup Recipe Link
• teaspoonSalt
• teaspoonGround Black Pepper
• 3teaspoonsWorcestershire Sauce
• 1teaspoonGarlic Powder

Instructions

Prep Ahead Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F if you are moving directly into cooking steps. Line a loaf pan with aluminum foil for easy removal of the meatloaf after it is cooked.

2. In a large bowl, add the raw ground chicken, diced onion, garlic powder, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, egg, salt, and black pepper. Mix all ingredients together with a fork. Once mixed thoroughly, mix in the grated parmesan cheese.

3. Form a loaf in the loaf pan. Spread the remaining cup Ketchup over the top of the meatloaf. At this point, you can cover and store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 5-6 months.

Cooking Steps

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F if you haven't already done so.

2. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Check the internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165 F.

3. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove from the pan, cut and serve with roast or mashed potatoes or salad. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

1. Click for Homemade Ketchup Recipe
2. Storage You can store the uncooked meatloaf in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to wrap it really well to prevent air from getting in. Or freeze it for up to 5-6 months, again sealed as well as you can.
3. This Ground Chicken Meatloaf Recipe is Gluten Free, assuming that you check all ingredients, including the ketchup to ensure they are also gluten free.
4. This Ground Chicken Meatloaf without Breadcrumbs is considered low carb. It only has 11 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
5. You can substitute ground turkey in this meatloaf recipe. The cooking time will be the same.
6. Parmesan cheese is added to this meatloaf recipe in place of breadcrumbs to help bind the meat mixture. If you want to use a substitute, you can of course use breadcrumbs or gluten free breadcrumbs. You can also use cheddar, manchego, or other hard cheese if you dont have parmesan.