Best Ground Chicken Meatloaf Recipe

By Marjory Pilley Published Mar 15, 2021 · Updated Feb 20, 2024

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The best Ground Chicken Meatloaf recipe is cheesy, healthy, and easy to make! Turn it into a loaf, meatloaf muffins, or meatballs. Any way you shape it, the whole family will LOVE this dinner that's low in carbs, too.

Slices of chicken meatloaf on a platter with parsley garnish over the top.

This recipe is not boring, bland, or a traditional meatloaf recipe! Much like buffalo chicken meatloaf, this homemade meatloaf made with ground chicken will change how you feel about this comfort food!

Aim for meatloaf leftovers so you can enjoy meatloaf sandwiches the next day or use them to make Chicken Meatloaf Stuffed Peppers.

You'll love this recipe because:

It's healthy and low-carb.
It takes minutes to prep, and the rest is hands-off.
Shape it into a classic loaf, "muffins," or meatballs. (The last two bake in under 20 minutes!)
It freezes beautifully…before or after you make it. We know because we made this one all the time at our make-ahead meal stores.

Jump to:

Ingredient Notes
Directions with Pictures
Shaping Options and Cook Times
Storage and Freezer Guidelines
What to Serve with Chicken Meatloaf
More Chicken Meatloaf Recipes
📋 Recipe

Ingredient Notes

Pictured below are the basic ingredients that are mixed into lean ground chicken.

Labeled ingredients to add to ground chicken to make chicken meatloaf: oatmeal, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, diced onion, egg, ketchup, and salt.

Ground Chicken - Ground chicken that is not labeled breast meat is ideal since it will be a little firmer. You can use ground chicken breast, but it is very soft before it cooks and until it sets. Either way, the finished dish does not release much fat. Ground turkey and ground beef will also work in this recipe.
Oatmeal - This is ideal for binding and absorbing the juices in meatloaf. As you can see from the pictures, you can't tell that we used old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick-cooking oats, traditional breadcrumbs, and panko breadcrumbs may be substituted.
Ketchup - To make this recipe even lower in carbs use a sugar-free brand.
Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheeses - The cheese holds everything together and makes it out-of-this-world delicious. Use other shredded cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or cheddar for a different flavor profile.

Directions with Pictures

This chicken meatloaf is easy to make. But, to get a fantastic result, it's important to follow a few tips so that the ingredients are evenly disbursed throughout the loaf, and it doesn't get tough!

Collage of steps to make ground chicken meatloaf: 1) Dry ingredients and cheeses mixed together in a bowl, 2) Ketchup and egg mixed into the dry mixture, 3) Ground chicken added to the meatloaf mixture, 4) Cooked meatloaf in a pan with an instant-read thermometer inserted.

First, mix the dry ingredients and cheeses in a large mixing bowl.
Next mix in ketchup and egg.
Last, add the ground chicken to the wet mixture until fully incorporated. But don't overmix, or it toughens the chicken!
Add the ground chicken mixture to a loaf pan, spread a little ketchup over the top of the meatloaf, and cook for about 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. (See more shaping options below)

We highly recommend using an instant read thermometer so that the meatloaf is moist and cooks to the perfect doneness. Let the meatloaf rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Chicken meatloaf on platter with bowl of mashed potatoes behind it.

Shaping Options and Cook Times

There are quite a few options to shape the meatloaf mixture. The cooking time will vary depending on which one you choose.

Numbered collage of 4 ways to shape mixture for meatloaf. 1) In a meatloaf pan, 2) Shaped into a loaf on parchment paper, 3) In a muffin tin, 4) Shaped into meatballs.

Standard loaf - Use a 1-pound or 2-pound tin. (We love this loaf pan by Chicago Metallic which lets you easily lift out the loaf and leave the juices behind.) Or, you can shape it into a free-form loaf by hand and place it on a rimmed baking sheet. A 2-pound loaf will take a little over an hour.
Mini loaf - Use a specially made tin or shape the meat mixture by hand as pictured. The cooking time is almost cut in half. One pound of ground chicken will make three mini loaves.
Meatloaf muffins - Press the mixture into a cupcake tin. Cook time will be about 20 minutes. This method makes 12. You can even make 36 minis in a mini muffin tin!
Meatballs - Use an ice cream scoop to make ¼ cup meatballs. These are done in about 15 minutes. Makes 12.

Storage and Freezer Guidelines

Refrigerator - Place leftover meatloaf in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the meatloaf in the microwave until warmed through.
Make-Ahead and Freeze - Prepare meatloaf and freeze before or after cooking.
- For an uncooked loaf - Encase pan in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place in a resealable freezer bag. Label and store in the refrigerator for 3-6 months. We recommend 2 months for freezer foods. However, uncooked meatloaf will keep extremely well if packaged tightly.
- For cooked loaf - Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- When ready to eat - Move the meatloaf to the refrigerator to defrost overnight and cook according to the directions.

What to Serve with Chicken Meatloaf

Serve this hearty main course with these classic side dishes: creamy mashed potatoes, loaded cauliflower mash, and green beans!

Slices of chicken meatloaf on a platter next to a bowl of cauliflower mash.

More Chicken Meatloaf Recipes

All of these delicious dinner recipes can be made into a loaf too!

Would you like more easy, healthy, carb-conscious recipes?

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