Mini Veggie-Packed Chicken & Vegetable Meatloaf Bites
Tender chicken meatloaf bites with hidden carrots and peas, glazed with a sweet-tangy tomato sauce that kids devour without a fuss. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs (454g) ground chicken, (75g) carrots, (30g) frozen peas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (454g) ground chicken
- 1/2 cup (75g) carrots
- 1/4 cup (30g) frozen peas
- 1/4 cup (25g) breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp (30ml) ketchup
- 1 tbsp (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 lb (454g) ground chicken, 1/2 cup (75g) grated carrots (squeezed dry), 1/4 cup (30g) thawed frozen peas (drained), 1/4 cup (25g) breadcrumbs, 1 large egg, 2 tbsp (30ml) ketchup, 1 tbsp (15ml) Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp dried thyme, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Mix gently until just combined.
- Step 3: Divide the mixture evenly into the greased muffin cups, pressing down firmly to form compact bites.
- Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the meatloaf bites are cooked through and golden brown on top.
- Step 5: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to set the texture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mini Veggie-Packed Chicken & Vegetable Meatloaf Bites take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mini Veggie-Packed Chicken & Vegetable Meatloaf Bites?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (454g) ground chicken from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mini Veggie-Packed Chicken & Vegetable Meatloaf Bites?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mini Veggie-Packed Chicken & Vegetable Meatloaf Bites for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mini Veggie-Packed Chicken & Vegetable Meatloaf Bites?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
