Chicken Bacon and Apple Mini Meatloaves

The fusion of sweet apples, savory bacon, and juicy ground chicken makes these mini meatloaves a standout dish for any meal. Compact, flavorful, and comforting, they bring a fun twist to traditional meatloaf, perfect for picky eaters, meal preppers, or quick weeknight dinners.

These mini meatloaves also reheat beautifully, making them ideal for batch cooking or packing in school or work lunches. Whether served with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a light side salad, they’re bound to satisfy with their balance of sweet and savory flavors in every bite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 lb ground chicken
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 small apple, peeled and finely diced
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp dried thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp ketchup (for topping)
Optional: fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease or line a muffin tin with paper liners.
In a large bowl, combine ground chicken, cooked crumbled bacon, diced apple, breadcrumbs, egg, chopped onion, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Mix until just combined—do not overwork the mixture.
Divide the mixture evenly among 6 muffin cups, pressing gently to shape.
Spread a small amount of ketchup on top of each mini meatloaf.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Let rest for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 235 kcal | Servings: 6 mini meatloaves

Chicken Bacon and Apple Mini Meatloaves – A Cozy Comfort Classic with a Twist

When comfort food meets creativity, something magical happens in the kitchen. That’s precisely what you get with these Chicken Bacon and Apple Mini Meatloaves—a delicious, bite-sized twist on the traditional meatloaf. This recipe takes everything you love about hearty, satisfying meals and lightens things up with lean ground chicken and the natural sweetness of apples. Add crispy, smoky bacon to the mix, and you’ve got a balanced flavor profile that’s both indulgent and wholesome.

Perfect for busy weeknights, weekend meal prepping, or even packing in lunchboxes, these mini meatloaves are an ideal go-to recipe for families who crave both flavor and function. They bake up quickly in a muffin tin, making portion control easy and cleanup minimal. With savory, sweet, and smoky notes in every bite, they’ll quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation.

Why This Dish Works

This recipe is a true example of balanced flavor and smart cooking techniques. By using ground chicken instead of beef or pork, the dish is lighter in fat and calories without sacrificing protein or satisfaction. Apples bring a gentle natural sweetness and moisture to the mix, preventing the meatloaf from drying out. Bacon not only introduces smoky, salty depth but also adds texture that contrasts beautifully with the tenderness of the meat.

The individual portion sizes from baking in a muffin tin are more than just convenient, they create a caramelized exterior on all sides of the meatloaf, thanks to the even oven exposure. This adds a slight crisp to the edges that enhances the overall experience. And with just a spoonful of ketchup on top of each loaf, you get that classic meatloaf finish that ties it all together.

Ingredient Spotlight

Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients that make this recipe shine:

Ground Chicken: Lean and mild in flavor, ground chicken allows the other ingredients, especially the bacon and apple, to shine. It’s also lower in fat, making this dish lighter and more heart-healthy.
Bacon: Just a few slices go a long way in infusing the entire dish with smoky flavor. When crumbled and folded into the mixture, bacon enhances every bite without overpowering.
Apple: Using a firm, sweet apple like Fuji or Honeycrisp brings natural sugars and juiciness. It complements the saltiness of the bacon and adds a subtle crunch and fruity undertone.
Onion and Garlic: These aromatics build a flavor base and give the meatloaf its characteristic savory punch.
Dijon Mustard and Worcestershire Sauce: These add complexity, tang, and umami, essential for taking the dish from simple to sensational.
Breadcrumbs and Egg: These binding agents ensure your mini meatloaves hold together while staying moist and tender.
Ketchup Topping: A traditional nod to classic meatloaf, the ketchup bakes into a lightly sticky glaze that brings everything full circle.

Tips for Success

Here are a few pro tips to ensure your Chicken Bacon and Apple Mini Meatloaves come out perfect every time:

Don’t Overmix: When combining your ingredients, mix just until everything is incorporated. Overmixing can make the meatloaf dense and tough.
Use an Ice Cream Scoop: For even portioning, use a large scoop to distribute the meat mixture into the muffin tin. This ensures all mini loaves cook at the same rate.
Test for Doneness: Always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer, 165°F (74°C) is the safe temp for ground chicken.
Rest Before Serving: Let the mini meatloaves rest for 5 minutes after baking. This allows juices to redistribute and makes them easier to remove from the tin.
Make It Your Own: Add shredded cheese, swap in turkey, or use barbecue sauce instead of ketchup. The base recipe is incredibly versatile.

What to Serve with Chicken Bacon and Apple Mini Meatloaves

These little meatloaves are satisfying on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. Here are a few delicious ideas:

Mashed Potatoes: A classic pairing that never fails. Try garlic mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash for a low-carb option.
Roasted Vegetables: Think carrots, Brussels sprouts, or green beans for a colorful and nutritious side.
Sweet Potato Fries: The natural sweetness complements the apple in the meatloaf beautifully.
Coleslaw or Apple Slaw: A tangy slaw cuts through the richness and enhances the apple theme.
Side Salad: Keep it light with a crisp green salad dressed in vinaigrette.

Meal Prep & Storage

These mini meatloaves are an absolute winner when it comes to meal prep. They store well and reheat like a dream.

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze individually wrapped loaves or place in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven at 325°F (163°C) until heated through.
Lunchbox Friendly: Kids love the mini size, and these loaves stay moist even after reheating in the microwave.

Variations You’ll Love

Feel free to tweak the ingredients based on your preferences or what you have on hand:

Cheesy Upgrade: Mix in shredded cheddar or gouda for a melty twist.
Herb Boost: Add fresh sage, rosemary, or parsley for added fragrance and earthiness.
Low Carb Version: Use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs to keep it keto-friendly.
Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce for heat lovers.
Glaze Swap: Try honey mustard or barbecue sauce in place of ketchup for a different flavor profile.

Conclusion

The Chicken Bacon and Apple Mini Meatloaves are more than just a fun-sized dinner, they’re a brilliant fusion of comfort food classics with modern convenience. Sweet apples, savory chicken, and smoky bacon come together to create a flavor-packed dish that fits seamlessly into a busy family’s lifestyle. Whether you’re preparing a week’s worth of meals, hosting a casual dinner, or trying to get your kids to eat more protein, these mini loaves deliver on all fronts.

Their versatility, portability, and deliciousness make them an unbeatable addition to any home cook’s recipe box. Give them a try, you’ll find they’re not only easy to make but hard to forget.

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