If you’re searching for a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and packed with flavor, this Mini Glazed Chicken Meatloaves Recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. These adorable, bite-sized meatloaves come together quickly with simple ingredients yet boast a rich, savory profile topped with a sweet, tangy glaze that just melts in your mouth. Whether you’re cooking for family or entertaining friends, this dish is guaranteed to delight with its moist texture, vibrant colors, and that irresistible glossy finish. Let me walk you through this wonderful recipe that turns humble ingredients into a memorable meal everyone will ask for again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To nail the Mini Glazed Chicken Meatloaves Recipe, you only need a handful of straightforward ingredients that each bring something special to the table—from the tender juiciness of ground chicken to the bright punch of fresh herbs and the perfect balance of sweet and tangy glaze flavors. These ingredients harmonize beautifully to create a dish that’s both comforting and exciting.
- Butter or oil: Used for sautéing vegetables to soften and enhance their flavors.
- Onion, minced: Adds a gentle sweetness and base flavor to the meatloaf mixture.
- Celery stalk, minced: Provides a subtle crunch and fresh aroma.
- Garlic cloves, minced: Brings warmth and savory depth to every bite.
- Ground chicken: The lean protein base that keeps the meatloaves light yet satisfying.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Give the meatloaves structure and a tender crumb.
- Milk: Softens breadcrumbs, helping keep the meat moist and tender.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold all ingredients perfectly together.
- Fresh parsley, minced: Infuses a fresh, herbal note brightening the flavor.
- Salt and ground black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the natural flavors.
- Ketchup: Forms the base of the glaze, adding sweetness and tang.
- Barbecue sauce: Adds smoky, spicy layers to the glaze.
- Soy sauce: Brings a savory umami punch, balancing the glaze perfectly.
- Honey: A touch of natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully in the oven.
How to Make Mini Glazed Chicken Meatloaves Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin by setting your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature helps to quickly cook the mini meatloaves and caramelize the glaze beautifully, sealing in the moisture and flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
In a skillet, melt the butter or heat the oil over medium heat. Add the minced onion, celery, and garlic, and cook them gently until they soften and turn golden. This step is critical because it builds the aromatic base that elevates the entire dish, giving the meatloaves their distinctive depth of flavor.
Step 3: Soak the Breadcrumbs
Place the panko breadcrumbs in a bowl and pour the milk over them. Let them soak for a few minutes until all the milk is absorbed. This makes the breadcrumbs swell and become soft, which helps keep your mini meatloaves light and juicy rather than dense.
Step 4: Mix the Meatloaf Ingredients
Combine the sautéed veggies, ground chicken, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, minced parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything well. The key here is to evenly distribute the ingredients without overworking the meat so it stays tender and pleasant to bite into.
Step 5: Shape the Mini Meatloaves
Using about ¼ cup of the meat mixture for each, form small individual loaves and place them on a baking sheet. Making them mini ensures they cook faster and get that perfect glaze coverage that’s wonderfully sticky and flavorful.
Step 6: Bake the Meatloaves
Bake the meatloaves uncovered for 15 minutes. This initial baking cooks the chicken through, setting the shape and preparing the surface for the glaze.
Step 7: Prepare the Glaze
Whisk together the ketchup, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and honey while the meatloaves bake. This glaze is the star topping that delivers the perfect balance of smoky sweetness and subtle savory notes to every delicious bite.
Step 8: Glaze and Finish Baking
Brush each mini meatloaf generously with the prepared glaze and return them to the oven for another 5 to 7 minutes. This step caramelizes the glaze, creating that glossy finish and packing the meatloaf with even more irresistible flavor layers.
Step 9: Let Them Rest
Once baked, allow your mini glazed chicken meatloaves to cool for a few minutes. This little resting time helps the juices settle inside, ensuring every single bite is juicy and full of flavor.
How to Serve Mini Glazed Chicken Meatloaves Recipe
Garnishes
Brighten your mini glazed chicken meatloaves by topping with freshly chopped parsley or a sprinkle of finely diced green onions. These simple touches add a pop of color and freshness that perfectly complements the rich glaze.
Side Dishes
Pair your meatloaves with creamy mashed potatoes or a vibrant roasted vegetable medley for a well-rounded plate. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette also pairs nicely, providing contrast and balance to the dish’s hearty flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving your mini meatloaves on a platter with individual skewers or toothpicks for easy picking during parties or family gatherings. You can also serve them atop a bed of cauliflower rice or inside slider buns for a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover mini glazed chicken meatloaves can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure they’re completely cooled before storing to preserve freshness and avoid sogginess.
Freezing
If you’d like to save some for later, these mini meatloaves freeze wonderfully. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months, making meal prep a breeze.
Reheating
For best results, reheat meatloaves in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warmed through, about 10 to 15 minutes. This method helps maintain their texture and brings back the shine and flavor of the glaze.
FAQs
Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works just as well and offers similar texture and flavor, making it a great substitute in this Mini Glazed Chicken Meatloaves Recipe.
Is there a dairy-free alternative for the milk?
Yes, you can easily swap regular milk with any plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk without compromising the moisture or taste of the meatloaves.
Can these meatloaves be made gluten-free?
Yes, just replace the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to keep them friendly for gluten-sensitive diets.
How spicy is the glaze?
The glaze leans more towards sweet and smoky, thanks to the ketchup, barbecue sauce, and honey. If you want to add a little heat, feel free to stir in a pinch of cayenne or hot sauce.
Can I prepare the meatloaves ahead of time and bake later?
Definitely! You can shape the meatloaves and cover them tightly with plastic wrap, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This can save you time on busy days without sacrificing flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Mini Glazed Chicken Meatloaves Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-to meals because it’s truly the best of both worlds: simple to make but utterly irresistible. Its tender texture, vibrant glaze, and comforting flavors hit all the right notes, whether for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion. I can’t wait for you to try it out and make it your own kitchen classic!
Print
Mini Glazed Chicken Meatloaves Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (approximately 6 mini meatloaves)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
These Mini Glazed Chicken Meatloaves are a flavorful and moist twist on classic meatloaf, perfect for individual servings. Made with ground chicken and a medley of sautéed vegetables, they’re glazed with a tangy-sweet mixture of ketchup, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and honey, then baked to perfection. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, these bite-sized meatloaves combine savory and sweet flavors in a convenient single-serving format.
Ingredients
For the Meatloaves:
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil
- 1 onion, minced
- 1 celery stalk, minced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground chicken (or other ground meat)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
- ¾ – 1 teaspoon salt
- â…“ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Glaze:
- â…“ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the mini meatloaves.
- Sauté vegetables: In a skillet, heat the butter or oil over medium heat. Add the minced onion, celery, and garlic and cook until they are softened and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Prepare breadcrumbs: Place the panko breadcrumbs in a bowl and pour the milk over them. Let them soak for a few minutes until the milk is fully absorbed, which helps keep the meatloaf moist.
- Mix meatloaf ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables, ground chicken, soaked breadcrumbs, egg, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Shape meatloaves: Portion the mixture into small mini meatloaves, approximately ¼ cup each. Shape into individual loaves and arrange them spaced evenly on a baking sheet.
- Bake: Place the meatloaves in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes to start cooking them through.
- Make the glaze: While baking, whisk together the ketchup, barbecue sauce, soy sauce, and honey in a small bowl to create a flavorful glaze.
- Glaze the meatloaves: After the initial 15 minutes of baking, remove the meatloaves and brush the glaze evenly over each one. Return the tray to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and the meatloaves to finish cooking through.
- Serve: Remove the meatloaves from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and make handling easier.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or beef for the ground chicken if preferred.
- Using panko breadcrumbs helps achieve a lighter texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Make sure not to overmix the meat mixture to keep the meatloaves tender.
- The glaze can be adjusted to taste by varying the amount of honey for sweetness or soy sauce for saltiness.
- These mini meatloaves can be made ahead, refrigerated, and reheated gently before serving.
