Ground Chicken Meatloaf Recipe

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Ground Chicken Meatloaf is a delicious, juicy, and flavorful family dinner main dish. Ground chicken with cheddar cheese, soya sauce and spices; it’s such a healthy and satisfying glazed loaf.

The BEST Ground Chicken Meatloaf

Are you a fan of traditional meatloaf? I wasn’t until I discovered Stove Top Stuffing Meatloaf, and then fell in love all over again with the ease of Air Fryer Meatloaf.

Yet there are instances when you want to mix things up, or enjoy a healthier version. Which is where this easy ground chicken meatloaf comes in.

This easy recipe takes affordable ground chicken and infuses it with flavor and taste.

This chicken meatloaf recipe is moist and tender. The cheddar cheese, when melted, adds a delightful gooeyness.

Best of all, you can easily turn this moist loaf into meatloaf muffins or even meatballs simply by changing the baking pan and adjusting the bake time.

Healthy ground chicken meatloaf is an easy and delicious main dish for weekday meals. The whole family will love this comfort food.

The leftovers will be most welcome the next day for another meal or meatloaf sandwich.

If you love ground chicken recipes, try our Homemade Ground Chicken Sausage.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It takes less than 20 minutes to prep and the rest is hands-off time.
It’s healthier than beef, and low-carb too.
Vary the baking pan and bake time, make meatloaf muffins or meatballs.
It freezes well for a great make-ahead meal.

Total Time: 80 Minutes

Serves: 4-6

Easy Ground Chicken Meatloaf Ingredients

Here are the simple ingredients required to make this easy meatloaf recipe. As always, the full recipe is on the printable recipe card at the end of the post.

Ground Chicken – A healthier and lower-fat option for making meatloaf, when compared to using ground beef.
Panko Breadcrumbs – It helps bind the loaf.
Green Onion – For earthy flavour (or shallot).
Cheddar Cheese: Adds that rich and creamy element.
Fresh Parsley – For that pop of freshness.
Salt & Black Pepper – For flavor.
Milk – Helps to keep meatloaf moist.
Egg – For binding the meatloaf, and to help keep it moist.
Soya Sauce – Gives meatloaf a salty and umami flavor
Sweet Chili Sauce – Adds that bit of sweetness and heat to the glaze.
Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness to the glaze, and helps the top caramelize when baking in the oven.

Tips for Making the Best Chicken Meatloaf

Use lean ground chicken to ensure the healthiest chicken meatloaf.
When combining the ingredients for the meatloaf, be gentle and avoid overmixing. Overmixing can result in a denser texture.
After removing the meatloaf from the oven, allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing. This will help the juices redistribute within the meatloaf.
Double-check the internal temperature: To ensure that the meatloaf is fully cooked and safe to consume, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken meatloaf should reach an internal temperature of 165°F .

How to Make Ground Chicken Meatloaf

Preheat your oven to a temperature of 375°F . Prepare a bread loaf pan by adding parchment paper.
In a large bowl – add the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, minced shallot, cheddar cheese, salt, ground black pepper, milk, egg, and soy sauce. With your hands blend the meat mixture together.
Place the mixture into the pan. Place in the preheated oven, and cook for 50 minutes.
During that time combine the sweet chili sauce with the brown sugar.
After 50 minutes remove the meatloaf for the oven and generously drizzle the glaze over the top of the meatloaf.
Place the meatloaf back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven. Allow it to rest for a few minutes.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Recipe Variations

There are many ways to variate this chicken meatloaf recipe, for preference. Here are a few ideas on variations:

Try this recipe with different types of cheeses. Suggestions are grated mozzarella, parmesan cheese, smoked gouda, or feta.
Make Chicken Wrapped Meatloaf by wrapping the loaf with strips of bacon before baking it (seams down). The bacon will add that delicious smoky flavor and a crisp to each bite.
Use this recipe to make meatloaf muffins or meatballs. Simply change the baking pan you use, and decrease the bake time to suit the change in size.
Add herbs and spices for additional flavor. Suggestions are garlic powder, Italian seasoning, fresh garlic, thyme, or smoked paprika.
Change the Glaze to suit diet or preferance. You can use no sugar varieties, barbecue sauce or even make our Homemade Keto BBQ Sauce.
Add Vegetables to this meatloaf, as I’ll explain below.

How to Add Vegetables to Meatloaf

You can very easily add vegetables to meatloaf, which is typically not a dish known for being vegetable-dense.

There are reasons for doing so, though. Not only does it increase the nutritional value, but it also adds flavour.

The best way to do this, is to incorporate finely chopped vegetables into the meatloaf mixture. Think along the lines of sneaking them in so they go unnoticed.

You can use: cauliflower, bell peppers, grated carrots, celery, spinach, or even mushrooms.

If you are new to sneaking in healthier ingredients, I suggest starting with a small amount and working your way up.

What to Serve with Ground Chicken Meatloaf

Some popular side dish options to serve with this best ground chicken meatloaf recipe include mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash, roasted vegetables, steamed greens, or a fresh salad. You can also serve it with a side of tangy coleslaw or baking powder biscuits to complete the meal.

We have some great sides here on the blog that would pair great with ground chicken meatloaf. I suggest Air Fryer Asparagus with Parmesan, or glazed carrots.

FAQ

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

Ground turkey can be a suitable substitute for ground chicken in this recipe. It will provide a similar texture and flavor profile. You can also use ground pork if you wish.

Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko breadcrumbs?

While panko breadcrumbs add a unique crunch to the meatloaf, you can certainly use regular breadcrumbs as a substitute. However, keep in mind that the texture may vary slightly.

Can I make the glaze less sweet?

If you prefer a less sweet glaze, you can adjust the amount of brown sugar according to your taste preferences. You can also use sugar free products.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can either store the uncooked meatloaf (wrapped tightly with plastic wrap) in the fridge for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can also freeze it for up to 6 months, again sealed well.

What Is The Secret To Moist Meatloaf?

Chicken meatloaf can be prone to dryness because it is a low fat meat. The liquid ingredients in this recipe help to prevent this. Overworking the mixture and overcooking result in dryness. The secret to moist chicken meatloaf is to remove it from the oven as soon as the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

How long do you cook ground chicken meatloaf?

It will take about 50 minutes to cook at 375° Fahrenheit. It is considered cooked when the internal temperature reads 165°F when using an instant read thermometer.

Storage

Once the Chicken Meatloaf has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. Properly stored, the meatloaf can last for up to 3-4 days.

If you have leftover meatloaf, freezing is also a great option. Wrap the meatloaf tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. The meatloaf can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Consider slicing the meatloaf leftovers into individual slices before storing. This way, you can thaw and reheat only the amount you need, reducing waste. Place parchment paper between the slices to prevent them from sticking together.

When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen Chicken Meatloaf, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight.

More Recipes to Try:

Ground Chicken Meatloaf

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Discover a healthier twist on classic meatloaf with our delicious ground chicken recipe that's packed with flavor and lean protein. This Ground Chicken Meatloaf Recipe has cheddar cheese, soya sauce and spices; it's such a healthy and satisfying glazed loaf.

Ingredients

1 pound ground chicken
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 shallot minced
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons soya sauce

FOR THE GLAZE

¾ cup sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

Preheat your oven to a temperature of 375°F . Prepare a bread loaf pan by adding parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl - add the ground chicken, panko breadcrumbs, minced shallot, cheddar cheese, salt, ground black pepper, milk, egg, and soy sauce. With your hands blend the ingredients together.
Place the mixture into the pan. Place in the oven and cook for 50 minutes.
During that time combine the sweet chili sauce with the brown sugar.
After 50 minutes remove the meatloaf for the oven and generously drizzle the glaze over it.
Place the meatloaf back in the oven and cook for another 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven. Allow it to rest for a few minutes.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

feel free to use ground turkey instead of ground chicken
When combining the ingredients for the meatloaf, be gentle and avoid overmixing. Overmixing can result in a denser texture.
TO STORE: Once the Chicken Meatloaf has cooled completely, transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. Properly stored, the meatloaf can last for up to 3-4 days.
TO FREEZE: Wrap the meatloaf tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. The meatloaf can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 372Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 731mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 2gSugar: 22gProtein: 25g

Created by Tammi Roy

Tammi Roy is the founder of My Organized Chaos, a Canadian food and lifestyle blog. She lives in Alberta, Canada and is the mom of three beautiful teenage girls. Tammi’s passions are her family, creating and sharing delicious recipes, travelling and photography. Learn more about Tammi.