Barbecue Chicken Meatloaf
This barbecue-flavored meatloaf recipe has all the ingredients of our favorite, homemade barbecue sauce mixed right into the meat. It makes a nice change from a classic meatloaf, and because it’s made with ground chicken instead of beef, it’s a little lighter too.
Barbecue Chicken Meatloaf
Yield:
6 servings
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Total Time:
55 minutes
Made with ground chicken and all the ingredients of a homemade barbecue sauce, this meatloaf is a lighter, flavorful change from traditional recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 clove garlic, very finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the topping:
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a shallow baking pan with nonstick spray.
- Place the ground chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, vinegar and smoked paprika in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper and combine thoroughly.
- Turn the mixture onto the prepared pan and form into a uniform loaf. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
- Make the topping by combining the ketchup, Worcestershire and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and spread the topping evenly over the top.
- Continue baking the meatloaf for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 165°F.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Notes
This meatloaf can easily be made with ground beef, pork or turkey as well.
17 Comments on “Barbecue Chicken Meatloaf”
This is such a wonderful recipe!!! Thank you so much for sharing it 🙂 I’ve made meatloaf using this recipe 3 times before, and tonight is the 4th time. I’ve used ground chicken, ground beef, and ground turkey. All turn out great with this recipe! The only things I’ve done differently is to add 1 carrot, grated, and 1 stalk of celery, chopped very finely, to help add additional moisture when I’m using ground chicken or ground turkey. Plus it’s a way to sneak in a bit more veggies, and it doesn’t add any additional cooking time. For the sauce I just add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to the ingredients to give it a smidge more sweetness. The first time I make a recipe I make it as listed, and did for this one. It was delicious as is, and you really don’t need to make any changes. I’ve just done so to see how they changed things, and my family liked the additions. But it’s always nice to have a great recipe that doesn’t need any adjustments, some do, this isn’t one of them. So if I didn’t have the extra stuff on hand, I could skip it and know it would still be yummy 🙂 Anyway, thanks again for the recipe, we’re so glad to have it as a new and reliable family favorite!
I was afraid this would turn out dry because of the lack of fat in the ground chicken but it was perfect. I added a quarter cup of chopped carrots, capsicum and spring onions for colour.
I have pictures but don’t know how to upload them.
Hi Zeenia,
Those are nice additions, both for color and flavor!
I am trying to cut down on beef. Tired of turkey. But I love chicken. This was good! I will make again. Will have to check other chicken recipes you have
It was the best ground chicken meatloaf I have ever made. Quick and easy and ingredients I have in my pantry. Perfect with no adjustments. My famiy loved it
Hi Lorraine,
So glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for taking the time to let us know!
I have a question, does this come out being very sweet?
Hi Lucy,
This meatloaf is made with a combination of ingredients that give the meat itself the flavor of a sweet-and-savory barbecue sauce. I would not consider it to be “very sweet,” but then I like the contrast of sweet and savory flavors. If you don’t care for that, either reduce or eliminate the 1 tablespoons of brown sugar in the meat mixture. Hope I’ve answered your question!
No. Not at all. 1 tblsp of brown sugar will not.make it sweet. Try it..you will be glad you did. Do not
over mix the meat. It will change the texture.
I made this last night. I loved the taste but would like a little more texture and am going to try adding finely chopped carrots and celery along with the onion next time I make it. This was an excellent recipe as written!
Hi Dianne,
Glad you liked the recipe overall. I think the chopped carrots and celery would be a nice addition.
The best ever! 2 changes: I used fresh bread crumbs soaked in milk and made individual muffins. 3o minutes later-fantastic!!! Thanks!!!!
Hi Lois,
I’m glad you liked the recipe. Thanks for sharing the tips on the fresh breadcrumbs and individual muffins – great ideas!
I found this recipe by accident and figured I’d give it a try. It is perfect.
Thanks Melissa! Glad you liked the meatloaf.
Just made this for the family. Would Have taken a pic but nothing left. Was one of the best BBQ Chicken Meatloafs I have ever had.
Is now Going to beastaple in this household
Hi Steve,
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting us know.