Campfire Honey-Lime Chicken and Rice Foil Packets
Burn a campfire down to medium coals, then seal marinated chicken, rice, corn, zucchini and onion in double-layer foil packets. Cook on the coals for 16 to 20 minutes, flipping once, until the chicken hits 165°F. Plan on about 50 minutes total, including the time to burn the fire down.
This is a full lunch in one packet: chicken, rice, corn and zucchini with a sweet, tangy lime and chili glaze. Everything cooks together, so there is no pan to scrub and no pot to boil.
The chicken is the only part that needs care. Cut it small so it cooks fast, keep it cold until you use it, and check it with a thermometer before you eat. Start the fire first and prep while it burns down.
Campfire Honey-Lime Chicken and Rice Foil Packets
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Serves
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Heat
- Medium coals
- Pack weight
- 5 lb
- Campfire
- Camp stove
- Backpacking
- Cooler required
- No stove
- Low water
- One-pan cleanup
- Prep ahead
Ingredients
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Gear you'll need
- heavy-duty aluminum foil
- long-handled tongs
- heat-resistant gloves
- instant-read thermometer
- large mixing bowl
- cutting board and knife
- fire grate (optional)
- trash bag for used foil
Steps
-
Burn down the fire
Build your fire in an established fire ring and let it burn for about 30 minutes, until you have glowing coals and little flame. Rake the coals into a flat bed. Medium heat means you can hold your hand 5 inches above for about 5 seconds.
-
Marinate the chicken
While the fire burns, stir the oil, honey, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Wash your hands, knife and cutting board with hot soapy water right away.
-
Cut the foil
Tear off four sheets of heavy-duty foil, each about 18 inches long. Fold each in half to make a double layer about 18 by 12 inches. Double foil keeps the bottoms from burning.
-
Build the packets
Squeeze one-quarter of the rice onto the center of each sheet and break it up with your fingers. Top with corn, zucchini, onion, then the chicken and any marinade left in the bowl. Add 1 tbsp water to each packet.
-
Seal them tight
Bring the long edges together and fold over twice. Fold and crimp the short ends. Leave a little air space inside so steam can circulate.
-
Cook on the coals
Set the packets on the coal bed, or on a grate over it, with space between them. Cook 8 minutes, flip with tongs, then cook 8 to 10 minutes more. Rotate any packet that sits over hotter coals.
-
Check the temperature
Wearing gloves, open one packet away from your face to let the steam out. Push an instant-read thermometer into the thickest piece of chicken. It must read 165°F. If not, reseal and cook 3 to 4 minutes more, then check again.
-
Finish and serve
Open all the packets, squeeze lime over the top and add cilantro. Eat straight from the foil with a fork.
Trail Notes
At home, combine the chicken and marinade in a zip-top freezer bag, press it flat and freeze. It works as an ice pack in your cooler and thaws there in about a day. Cook it within 2 days of thawing, and slice the zucchini and onion ahead too.
Keep raw chicken at 40°F or below, on the bottom of the cooler in a sealed bag, away from ready-to-eat foods. Never leave it out for more than 1 hour on a warm day. Don't reuse the bowl or cutting board for anything else until they're washed.
No cooler for the corn? Use a drained 15 oz can of corn. Short on time or ice? Replace the raw chicken with two drained 10 oz cans of cooked chicken. Skip the marinade soak and heat the packets for 10 to 12 minutes, until steaming hot.
Use an existing fire ring and keep the fire small. Let the coals burn down to ash, drown them with water, stir and feel for heat before you leave. Foil doesn't burn away, so pack out every scrap.
Campers ask
How long do chicken foil packets take on a campfire?
With 1-inch chicken pieces over medium coals, expect 16 to 20 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point. Always confirm the chicken reads 165°F before you eat.
Can you cook foil packets directly on the coals?
Yes, as long as you use heavy-duty foil in a double layer and flip the packets halfway through. A grate over the coals gives gentler heat if your coals are very hot.
How do you keep foil packets from burning on the bottom?
Use a medium coal bed with no tall flames, double the foil, and add a little water to each packet. Rotate or move any packet that sizzles hard or smells scorched.
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