Name: Chicken Meatloaf
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 yellow onion (diced); 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 2 teaspoons salt (divided); 1 teaspoon pepper (divided); 2 pounds ground chicken; 2 large eggs (whisked); 1/2 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup finely grated parmesan; 1 cup buttermilk; 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce; 3 tablespoons bbq sauce (+ more for serving)

This Chicken Meatloaf is moist, flavorful, and healthy. Made with ground chicken, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, parmesan and more, then slathered with sweet and smoky BBQ sauce.

General
Ingredients
How to make
Get the recipe
Step-by-step video
Frequently Asked Questions
How to make moist
Is this healthy?
Can you use other meat?
Pairing suggestions
How to store
Nutrition information

Ingredients

Unsalted Butter – used to cook the onion and garlic and add flavor depth to the meatloaf.
Yellow Onion – gives a sweet, caramel-y flavor.
Minced Garlic – provides a subtle kick.
Salt and Pepper – enhances flavor and adds a bit of spice.
Ground Chicken –
Eggs – binds the ingredients together so the meatloaf can hold its shape.
Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs – breadcrumbs soak up the buttermilk and act as a binding agent for the meatloaf.
Grated Parmesan – adds moisture and gives the meatloaf a cheesy, nutty flavor.
Buttermilk – gives the meatloaf plenty of moisture and makes the chicken super tender.
Worcestershire Sauce – adds a salty, tangy flavor.
BBQ Sauce – slathered on top to give the meatloaf a sweet, smoky flavor.

How to make

This chicken meatloaf is such a quick and easy dinner! Just 15 minutes to prep it, bake it, then serve it up with your favorite sides!

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat then add in onion, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook until tender then transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
Add in remaining salt and pepper, ground chicken, whisked eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan, buttermilk, and Worcestershire. Use your hands to mix until well combined.
Transfer the mixture to a greased loaf pan then spread a thin layer of BBQ sauce on top.
Bake at 350ºF on the middle rack with a baking sheet below for 90 minutes then let sit for 15 minutes before serving!

How to make meatloaf moist

Use buttermilk. Although you can use regular milk, I recommend using buttermilk because the acidity makes the meat more tender and moist. If you don’t have buttermilk you can make your own using regular milk and vinegar or lemon juice.
Don’t over-mix. Mix the meatloaf mixture with your hands until just combined. If you overwork the meat it may end up tough and dry.
Let the meatloaf sit. After your meatloaf bakes for 90 minutes, let it sit in the pan before you try to cut and serve it. This gives it a chance to set and for the juices to really soak into the meat. If you cut it too soon, then the moisture will run out and the meat will be dry.

Pro tip

To make your own buttermilk, measure out 1 cup of whatever milk you have on hand. Remove 1 tablespoon of the milk then stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes then proceed with the recipe.

Is chicken meatloaf healthy?

Chicken meatloaf is definitely healthier than other types of meatloaf since chicken is a great source of lean protein and lower in calories than ground beef.

Serve chicken meatloaf next to a side of veggies and you’ve got a super nutritious lunch or dinner!

Can you use other meat?

You can! If chicken meatloaf isn’t your thing you can definitely use ground pork, turkey, or make a classic ground beef meatloaf instead.

What to serve with chicken meatloaf

Chicken meatloaf makes a delicious and healthy entree but I love to bulk my meal up with a side dish or two!

How to store

Store leftover chicken meatloaf in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months.

To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen then microwave or bake to warm.

– Jennifer