Chicken Meatloaf
Chicken Meatloaf is a great alternative to a traditional ground beef meatloaf.
We combine moist ground chicken with a rich barbecue sauce topping. The added blend of spices and panko bread crumbs ensures a texture and flavor that’s downright irresistible.
I love using ground chicken for meatloaf because the chicken can take on so many flavors. In this recipe, there’s zesty barbecue sauce with a hint of smokiness. A little bit of smoked sweet paprika goes a long way!
Chicken Meatloaf Recipe Highlights
- EASY TO MAKE – This recipe is simple to make. With straightforward steps and familiar ingredients, you can whip up this meatloaf without breaking a sweat.
- MOIST AND JUICY – The ground chicken and a generous topping of barbecue sauce guarantee that each bite will be succulent.
- PANTRY-FRIENDLY – Most of these ingredients are pantry staples, so you can conveniently have this meatloaf on the table without a special grocery run.
- VERSATILE – Feel like tweaking the recipe? It’s flexible enough to allow for your favorite herbs or additional seasonings.
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
GROUND CHICKEN – The star of the show, providing a lean yet moist base.
PANKO BREAD CRUMBS – Offers a lighter texture and helps to hold the meatloaf together.
LARGE EGG – Acts as the binding agent, ensuring your meatloaf doesn’t fall apart.
SMALL ONION and GARLIC – These give a flavor kick that pairs excellently with the chicken.
BARBECUE SAUCE – Adds a smoky sweetness, making every bite a delight.
WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE and SMOKED SWEET PAPRIKA – These amp up the flavor quotient, offering depth and complexity.
How To Make A Barbecue Chicken Meatloaf
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Grease an 8×4 loaf pan and preheat oven to 375º Fahrenheit.
- Pulse onion, garlic, and seasonings in a food processor.
- Whisk an egg, then mix it with ground chicken and breadcrumbs.
- Fill loaf pan with mixture, top with barbecue sauce, and bake at 375º Fahrenheit.
TIP: Instead of ground chicken, try using ground turkey.
Recipe Success Tips
- Use a thermometer to make sure that the internal temperature reaches 165º Fahrenheit. Adjust the cooking time if necessary.
- I often use panko bread crumbs because they are a staple in my pantry, but you can also use traditional plain breadcrumbs instead.
More Easy and Delicious Chicken Dinner Recipes
What To Serve With Chicken Meatloaf
This recipe works well with lots of different side dishes. One of the most classic ways to enjoy this meatloaf is with a side of mashed potatoes and green peas.
You can also serve it with fresh corn, mac and cheese, or roasted broccoli—the possibilities are limitless.
More Easy and Delicious Recipes
Chicken Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 small onion peeled and lightly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic peeled
- 1¼ cup barbecue sauce divided
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375º Fahrenheit. Lightly grease an 8×4 loaf pan.
- Add onion and garlic cloves into a small food processor and pulse several times until smooth. Add ¼ cup barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, and pulse several more times until all ingredients are well combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk one egg.
- Combine ground chicken, egg, spice, and panko breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Transfer the meatloaf mixture into an 8×4 inch loaf pan. Generously top with about one cup of barbecue sauce.
- Cover the loaf pan with aluminum foil and bake the chicken meatloaf for 25 minutes at 375º Fahrenheit. Remove the aluminum foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove the meatloaf from the oven and rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.
I found the end result to be tasty enough but the recipe could likely benefit from less liquid. I found the meatloaf to be on the mushy side. I don’t know if this is just a characteristic of the chicken. My beef loaves are never like this was. I like the idea of having an alternative to a beef meat loaf. If I ever make this again it will have less liquid for sure.