BBQ Chicken Meatloaf is a delicious, healthy, one pan dinner. Paleo + Whole30 – you can make this healthy meatloaf in the instant pot, slow cooker or oven!
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Say hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner: BBQ Chicken Meatloaf.
This is *NOT* the meatloaf you grew up eating….no weird mystery meat or funky ingredients here.
This meatloaf is made with simple ingredients like: ground chicken, onions, spices, and BBQ sauce – making it totally gluten free, paleo, Whole30 friendly, and DELICIOUS! Even the pickiest of eaters is going to love this recipe.
(I mean.. really, can you go wrong with anything BBQ? BBQ Sauce is the best! We love it on Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork, but it makes everything taste better!)
It’s super moist (sorry if you hate that word) and has the perfect amount of BBQ sweetness to it, while still being savory and delicious.
I serve it up with spinach and Sheet Pan Crispy Roasted Potatoes or Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts but it truly goes well with everything.
PLUS… you can make it in your crockpot, instant pot, or oven!
Let me show you just how easy it is to make!
Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Meatloaf:
To make BBQ Chicken Meatloaf you’ll need:
- olive oil
- onions
- canned pumpkin
- almond flour
- barbecue sauce
- spices
- ground chicken
I’ve included substitutions for all of these ingredients in the green box below so you can customize it to fit your dietary needs!
Here’s a link to the BBQ Sauce I used in this recipe. It does contain a little bit of sugar, so it is not Whole30 compliant.
If you need a Whole30 BBQ Sauce try The New Primal, Primal Kitchen, OR make your own with this recipe! (And after you’ve tried this recipe, use up the sauce on our Healthy Crockpot Pulled Pork!)
How to make BBQ Chicken Meatloaf:
You can make BBQ Chicken Meatloaf in your crockpot, instant pot, or in the oven. The oven is my preferred way to make meatloaf. I find that it helps to not make the meatloaf soggy, and gives the nice browning/caramelization of the sauce on top.
Below I’m showing you how to make meatloaf in the instant pot!
How to make Meatloaf in the Instant Pot:
- Add all ingredients to a bowl.
- Mix together your ingredients until combined.
- Take a piece of foil and slice it with scissors to create a vent.
- Form your meatloaf on top of the foil and place it on a trivet. Here’s a link to the instant pot trivet I use.
- Lower your meatloaf into the instant pot and cook per directions.
- You’ll notice that the meatloaf isn’t exactly pretty when it comes out of the instant pot (see step 6) that’s why we recommend broiling it in the oven with the sauce when you’re finished.
Instant Pot Notes for this recipe:
Make sure to poke holes in the foil. If you don’t, the meatloaf will sit in its own juices and have a very mushy texture.
Broiling makes a difference. Visually, without broiling – the meatloaf isn’t very appealing. Additionally, the caramelizing of the sauce adds depth of flavor.
How good does that look!?? We love eating this for meal prep. It’s one of those recipes that gets better as the days go on and the flavors can meld.
Substitutions for BBQ Chicken Meatloaf:
These cookies are pretty versatile. Here are a few ways you can customize them!
Meat – You can make this with ground turkey or ground beef. I found ground beef a little greasy, too heavy for my taste but it will work. You can also try this Turkey Meatloaf Recipe or BBQ Chicken Breast!
BBQ Sauce– If you can’t find or don’t have a Whole30 BBQ Sauce – mix together the following: 1/3 cup tomato sauce or Whole30 compliant ketchup, 1 date, 1 tbsp. Dijon Mustard, 2 tsp. Coconut Aminos. This works great!
Pumpkin – Pumpkin puree isn’t necessary for this recipe, but it’s recommended. If you omit it may lead to a drier meatloaf depending on the fat content of your meal
Oil – Avocado, coconut, or olive oil will all work in this recipe.
Cheese – If you’re not paleo/Whole30 you can add 1/4 cup cheddar cheese to this recipe. It’s delicious!
Almond Flour – If you have a nut allergy you can sub in whole wheat breadcrumbs, but this recipe will no longer be gluten free/whole30. I have not tried this recipe with any other flour, but I think coconut flour might work.
Storing Whole30 Meatloaf:
Storing: This meatloaf will last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. I recommend storing it in airtight containers.
Freezing: I have not tried freezing this meatloaf, however, I do think it would freeze well. I would recommend baking it, letting it cool completely + storing it in freezer safe ziploc bags.
How to serve meatloaf:
This meatloaf pairs well with pretty much anything, but here are some of my favorite recipes to serve it with:
- Rosemary Spiralized Potatoes
- Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Healthy Green Beans Almondine
- Garlic Thyme Crispy Sweet Potatoes
- Healthy Pumpkin Mushroom Risotto
- Instant Pot Broccoli
If you love ground turkey, check out these Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes!
Other healthy dinner recipes you’ll love:
Looking for other easy meals? Check out these 40+ Healthy Dinner Recipes. Click here to grab our free healthy 30 minute dinners cookbook.
Love chicken? Check out our favorite healthy chicken breast recipes!
BBQ Chicken Meatloaf
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken I use 99% fat free
- 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro or parsley finely chopped
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree optional
- 1.5 tablespoons BBQ Sauce
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1/4 cup green onions optional
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Turn the IP to the normal sauté function and sauté the onion for 30 seconds-1 minute. You just want it soft and translucent.
- In a large bowl mix together the chicken, cooked onion, cilantro (or parsley), almond flour, pumpkin puree, barbecue sauce, egg, salt and pepper.
- Make a foil package for the meatloaf by pulling off roughly a 12inx12in piece of foil and folding it in half. Make slits on the fold. These will be vents so your meatloaf can drain as it cooks. Your meatloaf should be 7 inches long by about 4 wide and 2.5 inches tall.
- Put the steamer basket into the IP. Pour in 1 cup of water, set the meatloaf on top of the foil and lower the foil down onto the steamer basket. Put the lid on and cook for 20 minutes at high pressure. The middle should be 165 degrees when you pull it out. If it isn’t cook it for 2 minute increments until it reaches temperature.
- Do a quick release and lift the meatloaf onto a sheet tray. Leave it right on the foil. Brush on the ¼ cup barbecue sauce or glaze. Optional, but recommended: preheat your broiler. Broil for 4-6 minutes until the sauce caramelizes.
- Allow it to cool for 10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with more parsley or cilantro and serve.
Oven Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees + prepare a parchment lined baking sheet.
- While oven preheats, mix together all ingredients in a bowl.
- Spray parchment paper with olive oil spray. Form meatloaf directly on top of the parchment paper, it should be about 7 inches long by 4 inches high.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes at 450. Remove from oven, top with remaining ¼ cup of BBQ sauce + serve!
Crockpot Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients in a bowl.
- Spray parchment paper with olive oil spray. Form meatloaf directly on top of the parchment paper, it should be about 7 inches long by 4 inches high.
- Place parchment paper/meatloaf in crockpot. Cover and set it to cook on low for 8 hours. When ready to eat, cover with additional BBQ sauce + serve.
Christie says
I love your recipes and this looks great! Can I substitute applesauce for the pumpkin puree, or would you recommend something else? My husband won’t touch anything with pumpkin in it!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi! You can skip the pumpkin in this recipe – you 100% can not taste it and I’m confident your husband wouldn’t even notice – but just omit it 🙂
Cee says
Would I be able to use coconut flour for the almond flour?
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi! If you have a nut allergy you can sub in whole wheat breadcrumbs, but this recipe will no longer be gluten free/whole30. I have not tried this recipe with any other flour, but I think coconut flour might work.
Christine says
I tried this recipe tonight for dinner with my family (hubby, daughter 15 and son 10) and it was a hit! When I was first putting it together I wasn’t sure it would be enough but it was exactly the right amount for the 4 of us. It came together quickly and I was able to get my side dishes (roasted broccoli and air fryer roasted potatoes) made while this baked. We are not Whole30/Paleo/Gluten Free in our house but I have been slowly trying to embrace cleaner eating in our menu and stumbled on your blog several months ago now. Anything I have tried I have enjoyed and am excited by kids are liking the recipes too….making changes is so much easier when everyone is on board. Thanks for another new recipe to add to my menu rotation!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you all liked it! This is one of those recipes that doesn’t taste ‘healthy’ or ‘clean’ but is so easy! Makes me so happy to hear your family enjoyed this 🙂
Michelle says
Oh my goodness! All of your recipes are so good😊
I love how the bottom browns.
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you liked it, Michelle!
Ashley says
Another fabulous recipe! Delicious, easy, and simple.
The Clean Eating Couple says
glad you liked it, Ashley!
Erica Broussard says
Made this meatloaf tonight. It was so quick and easy to make. Anddddd delicious!!!! Will be making this again, very soon.
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you liked it, Erica!
Christina Mason says
I have the pickiest husband ever. Wouldn’t touch meatloaf before this recipe came along. Thanks again for another great recipe. This is a weekly addition for us now.
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you both like it!! It’s seriously my favorite way to make meatloaf!
Melissa says
I cant Wait to make this! I have A couple of questions Can you make it in a meatloaf pan; Would that change the timing and temp? Also can I use Olive oil instead of avocado oil??
Thank you!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Melissa – you can use any oil in this recipe, olive, avocado or even melted butter will work – they’re all listed under substitutions! I have not made this in a meatloaf pan so I can’t give advice on that. I would recommend just making it on a baking sheet per the recipe. It helps keep the meatloaf tender and allows moisture to release from the loaf so that it isn’t soggy. Let me know if you try it!
Mindy says
This has become one of our favorite weeknight meals! It’s so easy and delicious. I love that the BBQ gives it a different spin on a regular meatloaf. The BBQ sauce also makes it feel very summery so we’ve been having it a lot the past few months. I like to serve it with peas/mashed cauliflower/sautéed zucchini/squash casserole/broccoli/roasted potatoes/Lima beans… I guess really What I’m trying to say is it goes with any of your favorite veggies!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you like it, Mindy! It’s one of our favs too 🙂
Vanessa says
Loveeee this recipe!! My fiancé hates meatloaf so I got a big eye roll when I told him this was for dinner & he LOVED it too! Super easy and perfect for a weeknight meal. I used turkey vs, chicken (accidental buy) but it came out great – definitely will be a staple in our home! (and no you CANNOT taste the pumpkin!)
The Clean Eating Couple says
Thanks, Vanessa! I’m so glad you and your fiance enjoyed it!!
Leticia says
Thank you SO much for this healthy recipe! I just made it last week for my husband and our 3 teens and we ALL loooooved it! It was absolutely delicious, and I was so happy how easy it was to make! I did the oven method and followed the directions exactly (and included the pumpkin **side note…our youngest son doesn’t like pumpkin, but he couldn’t taste it!) and it came out amazing! Not dry and not mushy at all! My hubby thought it was perfect! Thank you so very much for a yummy healthy recipe that will be on my regular dinner rotation! It’s so nice to have a healthy comfort food recipe! THANK YOU! I’m new to your blog and look forward to trying other recipes! 🙂
The Clean Eating Couple says
So so happy you like it, Leticia! Thank you so much!
Michelle says
Can I use dry parsley flakes? If so how much?
The Clean Eating Couple says
I would substitute for 1 teaspoon of dried parsley
Mel says
Very good and easy, kid friendly and easy weeknight main dish.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Thanks, Mel! Glad you liked it!
Lili says
Made this today and ut was a complete hit! I used plain flour and lean turkey , it was delicious and moist! Would highly recommend!!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you liked it, Lili! Thank you!