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Easy Chicken Meatloaf (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

This easy chicken meatloaf is a twist on the classic comfort food. Using ground chicken instead of beef, this deliciously hearty meatloaf is tender, flavorful and a favorite dinner option. Gluten-free and dairy-free too.

Sliced chicken meatloaf with fresh thyme.

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Comfort Food for Anytime!

If you’re hungry for something cozy and comforting, then this chicken meatloaf is just for you!

Instead of using ground beef like in traditional meatloaf, we’re using ground chicken. It’s tender, filled with flavor, and topped with a sweet delicious glaze that complements the meat perfectly.

Plus, all you need is 10 minutes of hands-on prep to get the ground chicken meatloaf ready, and then let the oven do the rest of the work!

Ground chicken meatloaf topped with fresh thyme leaves
Top down view of a slice of meatloaf made with ground chicken meat

Why You’ll Love this Recipe:

  • Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for making this easy chicken meatloaf are easily accessible at the local grocery store (nothing fancy required!).
  • Easy to Make: With just 10 minutes prep time, preparing the ground chicken meatloaf is just a matter of mixing the ingredients together, pressing the mixture into a loaf pan and baking!
  • Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this meatloaf recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues!
Top down view of a sliced meatloaf

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this gluten-free chicken meatloaf recipe.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Ingredients for chicken meatloaf recipe laid out on marble board.

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

  • Ground Chicken: Since this is a recipe for chicken meatloaf, we’re using ground chicken here. However, feel free to use ground turkey or ground beef if you prefer.
  • Onion: I used white onion, but you can also use a yellow onion or red onion instead.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs: I used plain gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.
  • Parmesan Cheese: I used dairy-free parmesan cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. If you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular parmesan cheese instead.
  • Egg: The egg is necessary to bind the ingredients together, so make sure to add it in.
  • Almond Milk: I like using an unsweetened version of my homemade almond milk, however you may use another unsweetened non-dairy milk (such as rice milk, cashew milk, oat milk, etc.).
  • Worcestershire Sauce: I used gluten-free worcestershire sauce to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular worcestershire sauce instead.
  • Paprika: I used ground paprika for seasoning. However, if you are not a big fan of heat, feel free to leave it out instead.
  • Barbecue Sauce: I used gluten-free barbecue sauce to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular barbecue sauce instead.
  • Ketchup: I used gluten-free tomato ketchup to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular ketchup instead.
  • Sugar: I used brown sugar, but you can also use cane sugar or white sugar if you prefer.

How to Make Chicken Meatloaf:

Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, eggs, ground chicken and spices in bowl.
Combine Ingredients: Place the ground chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped onions, egg, dairy-free grated parmesan, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, unsweetened almond milk, salt, and ground paprika.
Ground chicken mixture in glass bowl
Mix Until Homogeneous: Mix everything together with clean hands or a spatula, kneading lightly until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform. This helps the loaf hold its shape.
Ground chicken mixture in foil-lined loaf pan
Press Chicken Mixture into Pan: Preheat the oven to 380F (190C) and line a 9″x5″ loaf pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Transfer the meatloaf mixture into the lined loaf pan, pressing it down firmly so no air pockets remain, and smooth out the top.
Barbecue sauce, ketchup and brown sugar in bowl.
Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the bbq sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar until you get a glossy, even glaze.
Meat mixture spread with glaze
Brush Glaze Over Meatloaf Mixture and Bake: Brush about one quarter of the glaze over the top of the chicken mixture, spreading it evenly to coat. Place the pan into a preheated oven at 380F (190C) and bake for 40 minutes. The loaf should begin to firm up and release some juices.
Freshly baked meatloaf on aluminum foil
Spread with More Glaze and Bake Some More: Carefully remove the loaf from the oven. Take it out of the pan, place on a baking tray, and brush generously with the remaining glaze. Bring the oven temperature up to 400F (200C). Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes until the glaze caramelizes and the loaf is fully cooked. Allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes.
Sliced meatloaf on parchment paper
Garnish & Serve: Slice the juicy chicken meatloaf, sprinkle with fresh thyme or fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Dish by Dish Tips:

  • Use Other Ground Meat: I used ground chicken because we are making chicken meatloaf, but feel free to use other types of ground protein (such as ground turkey, ground beef, ground pork, or a mix of different meats if you prefer.).
  • Optional Seasonings: If you wish to add more flavor to the meat, feel free to add in garlic powder, onion powder, ground black pepper, etc.
  • Make Mini Meatloaves: This recipe makes a large meatloaf, but you can also divide the mixture into mini loaf pans to make individual meat loaves instead.
  • Storing: You can wrap any leftover meatloaf with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container instead.

Other Gluten-Free Meatloaf Recipes to Make:

Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes to Enjoy:

P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!

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Sliced chicken meatloaf and a bowl of glaze

Easy Chicken Meatloaf (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)


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  • Author: Felicia Lim
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This easy chicken meatloaf is a twist on the classic comfort food. Using ground chicken instead of beef, this deliciously hearty meatloaf is tender, flavorful and a favorite dinner option. Gluten-free and dairy-free too.


Ingredients

Units Scale
For the Meatloaf: For the Glaze:

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: Place the ground chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped onions, egg, dairy-free grated parmesan, gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, unsweetened almond milk, salt, and ground paprika.
  2. Mix Until Homogeneous: Mix everything together with clean hands or a spatula, kneading lightly until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform. This helps the loaf hold its shape.
  3. Preheat & Line: Preheat the oven to 380F (190C) and line a 9″x5″ loaf pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  4. Press Mixture into Pan: Transfer the chicken mixture into the pan, pressing it down firmly so no air pockets remain, and smooth out the top.
  5. Prepare Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar until you get a glossy, even glaze.
  6. Brush Glaze Over Meatloaf: Brush about one quarter of the glaze over the top of the chicken mixture, spreading it evenly to coat.
  7. Bake Until Ready: Place the pan into a preheated oven at 380F (190C) and bake for 40 minutes. The loaf should begin to firm up and release some juices.
  8. Spread with More Glaze: Carefully remove the loaf from the oven. Take it out of the pan, place on a baking tray, and brush generously with the remaining glaze.
  9. Bake Some More: Bring the oven temperature up to 400F (200C). Return the meatloaf to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes until the glaze caramelizes and the loaf is fully cooked. Allow it to rest for 5–10 minutes.
  10. Garnish & Serve: Slice, sprinkle with fresh thyme, and serve warm.

Notes

Ground Chicken: Since this is a recipe for chicken meatloaf, we’re using ground chicken. However, feel free to use ground turkey or ground beef if you prefer.

Onion: I used white onion, but you can also use a yellow onion or red onion instead.

Panko Breadcrumbs: I used plain gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular panko breadcrumbs instead.

Parmesan Cheese: I used dairy-free parmesan cheese to keep this recipe dairy-free. If you are not lactose-intolerant, go ahead and use regular parmesan cheese instead.

Egg: The egg is necessary to bind the ingredients together, so make sure to add it in.

Almond Milk: I like using an unsweetened version of my homemade almond milk, however you may use another unsweetened non-dairy milk (such as rice milk, cashew milk, oat milk, etc.).

Worcestershire Sauce: I used gluten-free worcestershire sauce to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular worcestershire sauce instead.

Paprika: I used ground paprika for seasoning. However, if you are not a big fan of heat, feel free to leave it out instead.

Barbecue Sauce: I used gluten-free barbecue sauce to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular barbecue sauce instead.

Ketchup: I used gluten-free tomato ketchup to keep this recipe gluten-free. However, if you are not Celiac or gluten-intolerant, go ahead and use regular ketchup instead.

Sugar: I used brown sugar, but you can also use cane sugar or white sugar if you prefer.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 60 mins
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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