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Best Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf with Ranch Drizzle

buffalo chicken meatloaf with ranch drizzle - featured image

A bold, spicy twist on classic meatloaf made with ground chicken, buffalo sauce, and a secret cream cheese trick for moisture, topped with a cool, creamy ranch drizzle. Quick to prep and perfect for game day or a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground chicken (93/7 lean)
  • 1 cup plain breadcrumbs (or Panko)
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion (about 1 small onion)
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1/2 tsp lemon juice)
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). Line your loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. If using a baking sheet, line it with foil or parchment.
  2. Make the ranch drizzle first. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate.
  3. Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, beaten eggs, and 1/2 cup of buffalo wing sauce. Whisk until the cream cheese is mostly smooth.
  5. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to the bowl. Stir until it forms a thick paste.
  6. Add the ground chicken to the bowl. Use your hands or a spatula to gently mix everything together until no streaks of raw chicken remain. Do not overmix.
  7. Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Press gently into an even shape, eliminating air pockets. For freeform, shape into an 8×4-inch loaf on a baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ยฐF (74ยฐC). Optionally, brush extra buffalo sauce on top at the 40-minute mark.
  9. Remove from the oven and let rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Use parchment to lift the meatloaf out and transfer to a cutting board.
  10. Slice into 8-10 thick slices. Drizzle generously with ranch dressing and sprinkle with fresh chives or parsley. Serve hot.

Notes

Don’t skip the cream cheeseโ€”it keeps the ground chicken moist. Use a meat thermometer to ensure 165ยฐF without overcooking. Let the meatloaf rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Line the pan with parchment for easy removal. For a milder version, swap half the buffalo sauce with ketchup. For extra heat, add chopped pickled jalapeรฑos or use a spicier wing sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: buffalo chicken meatloaf, easy meatloaf, ground chicken recipe, buffalo chicken, ranch drizzle, game day food, weeknight dinner