These easy chicken and potato foil packets are made over the campfire (or on your grill) and are ready in just 30 minutes. They're a satisfying camping meal of chicken thighs, carrots, and potatoes, all tossed in a bright and peppery seasoning blend.
Recipe at a Glance: Campfire Chicken
- DETAILS
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Preparation method: Campfire cooking (foil packet)
- HIGHLIGHTS
- These campfire chicken foil packets combine tender chicken thighs, carrots, and potatoes with a homemade seasoning blend to create a hearty meal. They're cooked in a foil packet over your campfire or portable grill.
- This easy camping meal is cooked entirely in a single packet, so you have no mess or dishes to do.
- You can customize your foil packs with different vegetables and seasoning, depending on your personal preferences and what you've got on hand.
Foil pack meals are one of my favorite camping dinners—they're easy to make, cook in one packet, and leave virtually no cleanup. When my daughter requested chicken foil packets on our last camping trip, I put together this hearty combination of seasoned chicken, potatoes, and carrots. Wrapped in foil and cooked over the campfire for about 30 minutes, these simple ingredients turn into a delicious, satisfying meal that's perfect for summer camping.
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Why This Recipe is Great for Camping
- You can mix up the seasoning blend before heading out to save time and space.
- Your entire meal cooks in one convenient package.
- You can make it over the campfire or on your portable grill.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken thighs--I like using boneless skinless chicken thighs here because they are more forgiving and will stay moist even when overcooked. Chicken breast pieces may dry out before the vegetables are cooked through.
- Potatoes--Small new potatoes work best here, although this is also great with pieces of Yukon Gold or other waxy potatoes. Don't use Russet potatoes here as they'll break down too much during cooking.
- Carrots--Use carrots with an even thickness whenever possible. This will help them to cook evenly.
- All-purpose seasoning--This is my favorite blend of spices for using on chicken. You can substitute your favorite store-bought or homemade seasoning blend, if you prefer.
How to Make Campfire Chicken
1. Combine the olive oil and seasoning blend in a large bowl and stir well.
2. Add the chicken, carrots, and potatoes and mix well so that the seasoned oil coats each piece.
3. Divide the chicken mixture among four pieces of aluminum foil, and fold each one up to enclose the contents.
4. Cook the campfire foil packets over a bed of hot coals until the chicken and vegetables are cooked through.
FAQs
Yes. Toss the foil packets on a rimmed baking sheet and cook in a 400°F (200°C) oven for about 30 minutes.
You can, but choose vegetables that will cook through in the same time as the chicken. Bell pepper, onions, mushrooms, and small cubes of sweet potato will all work. Avoid quick-cooking vegetables, like zucchini and asparagus as they'll be overcooked by the time the chicken is done.
Place your food in the center of the foil. Bring the long edges of the foil up to meet, and then fold them over a couple of times, creating a seam that runs over the top of your food. Then working with one end at a time, fold it over a few times to seal the end.
I like this method for making foil packets because it's easy to open the seal on top to check them for doneness and then close, if necessary, and it also creates an easy pouch for eating when opened.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover chicken and potatoes in a sealed container in your fridge or cooler for up to 4 days. Reheat the mixture in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until warmed through.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- To get ahead, mix your seasoning blend before heading out on your camping trip.
- If making these over a campfire, use a bed of hot coals or very low flame to allow for even cooking. Don't cook them over high flames as that will cause uneven cooking and burning.
- Don't flip your foil packets while cooking.
- This chicken foil packet recipe is suitable for gluten-free and dairy-free diets.
More Chicken Foil Packet Recipes You'll Love
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Recipe
Campfire Chicken and Potato Foil Packets
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (1 batch) all-purpose seasoning blend
- 8 (about 2 pounds | 900 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 pound carrots cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 pound new or waxy potatoes cut into 1-inch pieces
Instructions
- Prepare a bed of hot coals or preheat a grill for medium heat (400°F).
- Stir the oil and seasoning blend together in a large bowl.
- Add the chicken, carrots, and potatoes and mix well to combine. Try to get each piece coated with some of the seasoned oil.
- Divide the mixture among four large sheets of aluminum foil. Fold up each sheet to create a pouch, enclosing the chicken and vegetables.
- Set the foil packets over the fire and cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the potatoes and carrots are tender, about 30 minutes. You should hear sizzling coming from your campfire foil packets.
- Open carefully and let cool slightly before devouring.
Notes
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- Plan ahead--To get ahead, mix your seasoning blend before heading out on your camping trip.
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- Keep your heat even--If making these over a campfire, use a bed of hot coals or very low flame to allow for even cooking. Don't cook them over high flames.
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- Don't flip--Don't flip your foil packets while cooking.
- Storage--Leftover chicken and vegetables can be stored in a sealed container in your fridge or cooler for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat.
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- Dietary--This chicken foil packet recipe is suitable for gluten-free and dairy-free diets.
Tom Bosanko says
We did this in boy scouts in the 70s. I cook this way each time I go camping. One dish meal.
Angie Zoobkoff says
It's a classic for good reason, Tom!