Easy Campfire & Grill Foil Packets: Delicious Marinated Chicken & Veggies for Effortless Outdoor Dining
Imagine a delicious, hot meal after a long day of hiking, or a simple yet satisfying dinner right in your backyard. These easy-to-make campfire foil packets, featuring perfectly marinated chicken, tender green beans, and flavorful baby potatoes, are your ticket to stress-free outdoor dining. Whether you’re nestled around a crackling campfire or firing up the grill at home, these convenient, no-fuss packets promise an ultra-satisfying meal with minimal cleanup. They are designed for maximum flavor and ease, making them a staple for any adventure or busy weeknight.
Why These Campfire Foil Packets Are Your New Go-To Meal
This marinated chicken and veggie foil packet isn’t just a meal; it’s a fresh, hot culinary experience that transforms any outdoor setting into a gourmet kitchen. It’s the perfect solution for busy campers and home grillers alike. Simply combine your ingredients, seal them securely in foil, and place them on a grill grate over your campfire or a backyard grill. In no time, you’ll have a wholesome, homemade dinner that tastes incredible and requires minimal effort.
While packing hotdogs or heating up homemade chili for camping is always an option, there’s something uniquely satisfying about preparing a fresh, complete meal directly over the open flames. These campfire foil packets offer incredible versatility, allowing you to easily adjust ingredients to suit your family’s preferences or whatever fresh produce you have on hand. They eliminate the need for multiple pots and pans, making cleanup a breeze – a major win when you’re roughing it or just want an easy evening at home.
The sealed foil acts like a mini-oven, steaming the chicken and vegetables to perfection, locking in moisture and infusing every bite with the savory-sweet flavors of the marinade. This method ensures that your chicken remains tender and juicy, while the vegetables cook through evenly, absorbing all the delicious juices. It’s a convenient, healthy, and incredibly flavorful way to enjoy a meal, wherever you are.
Key Ingredients for Flavorful Campfire Foil Packets
To whip up these amazing campfire foil packets, you’ll need a handful of fresh ingredients, most of which are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way simple components come together to create a profoundly delicious flavor. You can find all specific measurements, ingredients, and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the very end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Easy Substitution Suggestions
Understanding each ingredient and its role will help you master this recipe and even customize it to your liking:
- CHICKEN – In foil packets, the food essentially steams, which is fantastic for keeping chicken incredibly moist and tender. Unlike direct grilling, it won’t develop a deep char, but it will be thoroughly cooked and succulent. To prevent any dryness, especially with leaner cuts like boneless, skinless chicken breasts, be mindful not to overcook. A longer marination time, ideally overnight in the refrigerator, truly makes a difference, allowing the flavors to penetrate deeply and ensuring the chicken stays extra juicy. Chicken thighs are also an excellent option if you prefer a richer flavor and even greater moisture retention.
- VEGGIES – Our choice of baby potatoes and green beans creates a balanced, hearty meal that complements the chicken perfectly. However, the beauty of these foil packets is their adaptability! Feel free to experiment with your favorite vegetables. Delicious alternatives include broccoli florets, asparagus spears, colorful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), sliced mushrooms, zucchini, corn on the cob (cut into smaller pieces), or even sweet potatoes (cubed smaller for faster cooking). Just ensure that all vegetables are cut into roughly the same size to promote even cooking within the packet. The veggies absorb the flavorful chicken juices and the marinade, becoming incredibly tasty.
- MARINADE – The marinade is the heart of this dish, infusing everything with its delicious blend of sweet, savory, and tangy notes. While our recipe provides a fantastic base, don’t hesitate to personalize it! Almost any marinade you love will work wonderfully in these foil packets. If you’re looking for inspiration, we have a dedicated post featuring 5 different chicken marinades that you can choose from to completely switch up the flavor profile of your meal. Think Italian, Asian, Lemon Herb, or Spicy BBQ – the possibilities are endless!
How to Make Delicious Campfire Foil Packets
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are here to help you visualize exactly how to prepare this mouth-watering recipe. For your convenience, you can also Jump to Recipe to access the printable version, complete with all measurements and instructions, located at the bottom of this post.
- **Prepare the Marinade:** In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, minced garlic, and smoked paprika. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and the sugar has dissolved. This creates the base of your flavorful marinade.
Whisking together the vibrant marinade ingredients. - **Marinate the Chicken:** Place your prepared chicken breasts into the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl (or, for ultimate convenience, transfer the chicken and marinade to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag). Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes. For the most tender and flavorful results, marinating overnight is highly recommended, allowing the chicken to soak up all those delicious flavors.
Chicken breasts soaking in the rich marinade. - **Prepare the Vegetables:** Just before you’re ready to assemble your foil packets, toss the baby potatoes and trimmed green beans in a separate bowl with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley, and season generously with salt and pepper to taste. Ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated.
Fresh green beans and baby potatoes tossed with herbs and oil. - **Prepare the Foil:** Tear off four generous sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil, each approximately 18”x18” (or larger if preferred). For extra durability and to prevent any tearing or leaks, fold each sheet in half once to create a double-layered rectangular base for your packets.
- **Assemble the Packets:** Divide the veggie mixture evenly, placing about one-quarter of it in the center of each double-layered foil sheet. Next, place one marinated chicken breast directly over the vegetables. To seal, bring the two longer sides of the foil together over the chicken and fold them down several times, creating a tight seam. Then, fold in the shorter ends towards the center, ensuring they are securely crimped to form a completely sealed packet. Repeat this process for the remaining ingredients until you have four perfectly assembled foil packets.
Vegetables placed on foil, ready for chicken. 
Chicken placed atop the vegetables in the foil. 
Carefully folding the foil to create a secure packet. 
Four perfectly sealed foil packets, ready for cooking. - **Cook the Packets:** Place the assembled foil packets directly onto a grill grate over a hot campfire or on your backyard grill, preheated to 400°F. Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes. The cooking time can vary based on the heat intensity of your fire or grill, so use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F, and the potatoes should be fork-tender.
Foil packets cooking over a gentle campfire flame. - **Serve and Enjoy:** Carefully open the foil packets (watch out for steam!) and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. A fresh sprinkle of chopped parsley adds a lovely bright finish. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving, as the contents will be very hot.
The final delicious result, ready to be enjoyed straight from the packet.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Foil Packets
The cooking time for foil packets over a campfire can vary significantly, as the heat intensity of every fire is different. Assuming you have a nice, hot fire with a steady bed of coals, your foil packets should be ready in about 25-30 minutes. However, it’s crucial to understand that it could take longer, especially if your fire is less intense or if the packets are very full. I highly recommend bringing an instant-read thermometer on your camping trip. This is your best tool for accurately gauging the internal temperature of the chicken. The chicken is safely cooked when it registers 165°F (74°C) internally, and the potatoes should be easily pierced with a fork. Always prioritize food safety over strict timing.
Yes, absolutely! These foil packets are incredibly versatile and work just as well on a backyard grill as they do over a campfire. Simply preheat your grill to a medium-high heat, around 400°F (200°C), and place the foil packets directly on the grill grates. Cook for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the potatoes are tender. Grilling offers a more consistent heat source, often making the cooking time more predictable.
Prepping these packets ahead of time is a fantastic strategy for minimizing effort, especially for camping trips. I highly recommend mixing the marinade and tossing the chicken in it at home, then placing everything into a gallon-sized Ziploc bag. This allows the chicken ample time to marinate, infusing it with maximum flavor, and saves you from carrying individual marinade ingredients on your trip. While you can chop the vegetables ahead of time, it’s best to keep them separate from the marinated chicken. Assembling the complete foil packets with both chicken and vegetables too far in advance (more than a few hours) can sometimes result in a leaky mess due to the moisture, especially if transporting. For best results, pack the marinated chicken, pre-chopped potatoes, and green beans separately in your cooler, then combine them in the foil packets right before you’re ready to cook over the fire or grill.
Always use heavy-duty aluminum foil for campfire and grill packets. Regular foil is more prone to tearing, especially when handling hot packets or if pierced by sharp vegetable edges. Using a double layer of heavy-duty foil, as specified in the recipe, provides extra protection and ensures your meal stays securely sealed, preventing any leakage of delicious juices.
Absolutely! This recipe is incredibly adaptable. For protein, consider cubed beef stew meat (allow longer cooking time), sausage, or even firm fish fillets (which cook faster). For vegetables, feel free to add sliced onions, bell peppers, zucchini, corn kernels, or even sweet potatoes. Just ensure that denser vegetables are cut into smaller pieces so they cook through at the same rate as the chicken and other components.
Serving Suggestions & Safety Tips
Once your campfire foil packets are cooked to perfection, carefully remove them from the heat. When sealing the foil, it’s a good idea to leave just a tiny bit of room for steam to escape safely without fully bursting open. This also helps with the steaming process. Be extremely cautious when opening the packets, as a burst of hot steam will be released. Use tongs or heavy-duty oven mitts to unwrap them, and allow the chicken, potatoes, and green beans to cool for a few minutes before diving in – they will be piping hot!
These packets are a complete meal on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a simple fresh green salad, some crusty bread for soaking up the delicious juices, or even a side of coleslaw for added crunch and coolness. For a true camping experience, consider serving them alongside other campfire classics like S’mores Dip or classic s’mores for dessert. Remember to always practice safe food handling, especially when cooking outdoors, ensuring raw meat is kept separate and cooked to the proper internal temperature.
More Delicious & Easy Outdoor Recipes to Try
If you love the convenience and flavor of these foil packets, you’ll be thrilled to discover more of our favorite recipes perfect for outdoor adventures or simple home cooking:
- S’mores Dip: An irresistible, melty take on the classic campfire treat.
- Frozen S’mores: A cool and refreshing twist on s’mores, perfect for warmer weather.
- Freezer Breakfast Burritos: Prep these ahead for quick and easy breakfasts on the go or while camping.
- Making Pizza on the Grill: Surprisingly easy and utterly delicious, a fun meal for any gathering.
- Stuffed Pepper Meal Prep Boxes: A healthy and hearty option that’s great for planning meals in advance.
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Campfire Foil Packets
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest 1-2 teaspoons, the zest of 1 lemon
- 2 Tablespoon lemon juice the juice from 1 lemon
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts halved lengthwise (butterflied)
- 1 pound baby potatoes
- ½ pound green beans trimmed
- 1 Tablespoon fresh chopped parsley for garnish
- salt and pepper to taste
Things You’ll Need
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Mixing bowls
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Aluminum foil
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Instant read thermometer
Before You Begin
- Leave a little room in the foil packets for the steam to escape. This helps ensure even cooking and prevents bursting.
- You are essentially steaming the food in your foil packet. For this reason, the chicken doesn’t get a lot of color or char like it would over an open fire. Be careful not to overcook the chicken or it will dry out. A longer marination time (i.e., overnight) will also make for moister chicken, even when steamed.
- You can add any of your favorite vegetables to this foil packet. The veggies cook in the juices from the chicken and take on the sweet and salty flavors of the marinade, creating a perfectly infused meal.
- I would recommend mixing up the marinade at home and tossing the chicken and marinade into a gallon size Ziploc before heading out on your camping trip. This will give the chicken ample time to marinade AND you won’t have to carry the ingredients for the marinade on your trip! For the vegetables, chop them ahead and pack separately, assembling the packets just before cooking to prevent leaks and maintain freshness.
Instructions
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In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, lemon zest, lemon juice, brown sugar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, and smoked paprika to make the marinade.
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Place chicken in the marinade and cover (or place chicken and marinade in a Ziploc bag). Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, even better if you can marinate overnight.
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Just before assembling the foil packets, toss together baby potatoes, green beans, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley, and salt/pepper to taste.
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Tear off four large (18”x18”) sheets of aluminum foil. Fold in half once to form a double layer rectangle.
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Place 1⁄4 of the veggie mixture in the center of the foil. Place one chicken breast over the top of the vegetables. Fold in each side to the center and then fold in the top and bottom to form a secure packet. Repeat for the remaining ingredients to form four foil packets.
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Cook over grill or campfire at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender and the chicken registers 165°F internal temperature.
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Season with salt, pepper, and a fresh sprinkle of parsley, if desired.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.