If you’re looking for a super easy way to get dinner on the table, this recipe for Chicken Campfire Dinners is one to add to your collection. But don’t let the name fool you – this one is perfect for cooking in the oven and it’s a complete dinner since the veggies are already included.
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Jump to RecipeMy mother learned this one from my grandmother. Nana was one of the most organized person I ever knew and she always planned her meals in advance. Days when she’d be working at my grandfather’s store, she’d leave this in the oven to cook while she spent the morning doing the bookkeeping for the store.
Back then, dinners like these were frequently called “hobo dinners” because they could be cooked outside. But I don’t believe in using terms that some people might find offensive, so I’ve changed the name. Times change but kindness never goes out of style.
Chicken campfire dinners were a staple when I was a kid. It was one that she frequently would leave cooking in the oven while we went to church. Then once we were home, all she really needed to do was make a green salad or pull a jello salad out of the refrigerator (yes, we ate lots of jello salads…and I still make a few that we love) and we were ready to eat.
I like that this recipe can be prepped ahead of time and then put into the oven, or cooked outside on the grill, when you’re ready.
How To Make Chicken Campfire Dinners
First, wash and chop your veggies. We typically use potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery, but it would be great with zucchini, squash, mini corn on the cob, or sweet potato. If your family likes it, it’ll probably be a good addition.
Next, put your chicken on a square of aluminum foil. I’ve also made these dinners with round steak, pork shops, and kielbasa. That’s part of why I love these dinners…you can pretty much throw whatever meat and veggies you have into it and it’s still good.
Add your seasonings to the chicken. I’ve listed what I used in the recipe, but again, this is such a flexible recipe that you can add whatever seasonings you like. It’s nearly impossible to mess this one up.
Add your veggies on top of and around your chicken. If you want to add some salt and pepper to your veggies, feel free. Just don’t oversalt.
Finally, seal up the foil around the meat and vegetables so that any juices that accumulate during cooking don’t spill out. When I cook this in the oven I put it on a cooking sheet (as you can see), but when we cook it outside, we just put the foil packets directly on the grill.
Chicken Campfire Dinners
Quick easy to make all-in-one dinner that can be baked in the oven or cooked outside on the grill or over a campfire.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken thighs (bone in
- 1 large chicken breast deboned & cut in half
- 2 medium to large white onions sliced
- 2-3 large celery stalks chopped into 1 inch pieces
- 4 small potatoes peeled & cut into 1-2 inch cubes
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil to brush on chicken pieces
- 2 teaspoons coarse ground pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
Instructions
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Tear off 4 pieces of aluminum foil (approx 10 inch by 10 inch)
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Place one piece of chicken (or deboned chicken enough for one serving) in the middle of each piece of aluminum foil.
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Brush olive oil over top of chicken and sprinkle each piece with spices (you can increase or decrease the amount of spices depending on your tastes.
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Place cubed/sliced veggies on top of chicken and fold up sides of aluminum foil to form a packet. Fold and press edges to tightly seal packet. You can also add other seasonings as you please.
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Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 1 hour until chicken is cooked thoroughly and veggies are tender.
Recipe Notes
These packets can also be cooked over a campfire or grill. It will take longer depending on the heat you’ve managed to build up. My advice is to just check meat temperature regularly with a digital thermometer or until chicken is obviously done when poked with a fork or other utensil.
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More tasty recipes…
I’m a retired educator, mom of three adult children, cancer warrior, sandwich generation member, and lover of life!
I help older women create & live a life they love through radical self acceptance, unapologetic goal pursuit, and relishing the joys of home.
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