These bacon ranch chicken foil packets are the perfect camping meal. Everything cooks together in one packet over the campfire, and cleanup is as easy as throwing away the foil.
The combination of tender chicken, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and ranch flavor will make this a camping trip favorite!
What Makes This The Perfect Camping Recipe
Foil packet cooking is perfect for campfires because each packet steams in its own juices. The chicken stays tender, the vegetables cook perfectly, and all the flavors mix together. Plus, you get individual servings with zero pots to wash at the campsite.
Ingredients For 4 Camping Packets
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless chicken thighs (or 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half)
- 3 medium potatoes, sliced into thin rounds
- 1½ cups green beans, ends trimmed
- 6 strips bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Supplies:
- Heavy duty aluminum foil
- Cooking spray
How To Make Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets
Step 1: Prep Your Foil Cut four large pieces of heavy duty foil, about 12×18 inches each. Spray the center of each piece with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Layer the Potatoes Place thin potato slices in the center of each foil piece, overlapping them slightly. This creates the base for your packet.
Step 3: Add the Green Beans Put about ⅓ cup of green beans on top of the potatoes in each packet. Spread them out evenly.
Step 4: Season the Vegetables Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder over the potatoes and green beans in each packet.
Step 5: Add the Chicken Place one piece of chicken on top of the vegetables in each packet. Season each piece of chicken with ranch seasoning mix and a pinch of paprika.
Step 6: Add Butter and Cheese Put 1 tablespoon of butter pieces around each chicken piece. Then sprinkle about ⅓ cup of shredded cheese over each packet.
Step 7: Top with Bacon Divide the cooked bacon crumbles evenly among the four packets, sprinkling them on top of the cheese.
Step 8: Seal the Packets Bring the long sides of the foil together and fold them down twice to create a tight seal. Then fold up the short ends and crimp them well to prevent leaking.
Cooking Over The Campfire
Best Method: Hot Coals Let your campfire burn down to hot, glowing coals with no flames. Place the sealed packets directly on the coals and cook for 25 to 30 minutes. Use long tongs to rotate the packets every 8 to 10 minutes for even cooking.
Alternative: Grill Grate If you have a camping grill grate, place it over medium hot coals. Put the packets on the grate and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them once halfway through.
Checking for Doneness Carefully open one packet (watch out for hot steam) and check that the chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. The potatoes should be fork tender and the cheese should be melted and bubbly.
Make Ahead Tips For Camping
You can assemble these packets at home before your camping trip. Build them completely and store in your cooler for up to 2 days. If cooking from cold, add 5 to 7 extra minutes to the cooking time.
For the bacon, cook it at home until crispy, let it cool, then crumble and store in a container. This saves time and mess at the campsite.
Variations Of This Meal
Different Vegetables:
- Baby potatoes, halved (no slicing needed)
- Bell pepper strips
- Zucchini rounds
- Broccoli florets
Cheese Options:
- Pepper jack for some heat
- Monterey jack for milder flavor
- Pre-shredded cheese travels well in coolers
Other Proteins:
- Pork chops work great too
- Thick fish fillets (reduce cooking time to 15 minutes)
- Camping sausages, sliced
Serving Your Foil Packets
Carefully open each packet at the campsite (the steam is very hot). You can eat directly from the foil or transfer to camping plates. The melted cheese and butter create a delicious sauce that coats everything.
Great camping sides include corn on the cob cooked in foil, campfire bread, or a simple salad if you have cooler space.
Storage And Cleanup
Any leftover food can be wrapped in the foil and stored in your cooler for up to 2 days. Reheat over the campfire for 5 to 7 minutes or eat cold.
Cleanup is simple: let the foil cool, wrap up any scraps, and pack out with your trash. No dishes to wash with limited camping water.
Common Problems
Packets leaking: Use heavy duty foil and make tight seals. Double wrap if needed.
Uneven cooking: Rotate packets more often and move them to different heat areas of your coals.
Chicken dry: Don’t skip the butter and avoid overcooking. Chicken thighs stay more moist than breasts.
Vegetables too firm: Cut them smaller or add 5 more minutes of cooking time.
Why Campers Love This Recipe
This bacon ranch chicken foil packet recipe solves the main camping dinner problems. It’s easy to make when you’re tired from hiking, cooks without constant attention, and creates almost no cleanup. The bacon, cheese, and ranch flavors satisfy everyone after a long day outdoors.
Whether you’re new to camping or a seasoned outdoor cook, these packets deliver a hot, satisfying meal that beats any canned camping food.
Recipe Summary:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes over coals
- Serves: 4 people
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cleanup: Minimal