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Take your next BBQ or camping trip to the next level with these campfire chicken foil packs. Packed with juicy marinated chicken, sweet bell peppers, smoky bacon and gooey Colby Jack cheese, this easy foil packet dinner brings bold flavor with minimal fuss. It’s the perfect meal to prep ahead and cook right over the fire. With easy cleanup, customizable ingredients and fun presentation, these foil packets are a hit with families, campers and anyone who loves low-effort, high-reward cooking.
Campfire chicken foil packets are filled with tender chicken, veggies and bacon, all wrapped up and grilled to perfection for a no-fuss BBQ or camping dinner.
You might also like lumberjack breakfast foil packets, gnocchi foil packets, shrimp scampi foil packets, and campfire hot dogs and beans.
Why You’ll Love It
Packed with flavor: Every bite has a balance of sweet, savory and smoky.
Perfect for camping: Cook it right over the fire with zero cleanup stress.
Make-ahead friendly: Marinate the night before and cook when ready.
Kid-approved meal: Fun to eat and full of family-friendly flavors.
Customizable ingredients: Swap veggies, cheese or seasonings to suit your taste. The recipe is also gluten-free and (if you omit the cheese) dairy-free too, depending on your BBQ sauce brand.
Chicken Foil Packets Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Tender, lean protein that soaks up the marinade beautifully. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if preferred.
Honey: Adds a natural sweetness that balances the smoky and savory notes.
BBQ sauce: Gives the dish a bold, tangy and smoky flavor base.
Soy sauce: Adds umami and helps tenderize the chicken.
Smoked paprika: Brings in a warm, smoky depth without heat.
Garlic powder: Adds a rich, mellow garlic flavor throughout.
Bell peppers: Provide sweetness, crunch and bright color.
Yellow onion: Adds a savory, aromatic element that softens when cooked.
Bacon bits: Offer smoky flavor and a salty crunch.
Colby Jack cheese: Melts beautifully and adds a creamy, cheesy finish.
How to Make Easy Chicken Foil Packets
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Marinate the ingredients: Mix honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce and spices, then add vegetables, bacon and chicken.
Refrigerate: Let the mixture marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Prepare foil packs: Cut and fold heavy-duty foil into layered sheets.
Assemble packets: Divide the chicken mixture evenly between the foil sheets.
Seal the foil packs: Fold tightly to lock in steam.
Grill the packets: Cook foil packets directly over the coals, rotating for even cooking.
Add cheese: Open the foil, sprinkle cheese on top and melt before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
Use different veggies: Try zucchini, green onions, green beans, asparagus, mushrooms, or broccoli for a twist. If you want to use dense vegetables like carrots or potatoes, it’s best to part-cook them beforehand, otherwise they won’t be tender in time.
Swap the cheese: Cheddar, Monterey Jack or smoked Gouda also work well.
Adjust the seasoning: Add red pepper flakes or chili powder for heat.
Switch the protein: Try boneless thighs or even firm tofu for variation.
Swap the outdoor grill for the oven: Bake the chicken foil packets on a sheet pan at 375°F until the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Serving Suggestions
With potatoes: Enjoy red skinned mashed potatoes, a crispy smashed potato salad or bacon wrapped tater tots.
With pasta or rice: Serve creamy lemon pasta or pancetta pea pasta too.
With a salad: Hawaiian macaroni salad or a fennel orange salad would be good on the side.
To drink: How about some campfire marshmallow cocktails? They’re so good!
How to Store Campfire Chicken Foil Packs
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within 3 days.
Freeze: You can freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: You can warm it back up still in the foil over a fire for 5 to 6 minutes or in the air fryer at 330°F for 4 to 5 minutes
Top Tips
Use heavy-duty aluminum foil: This helps prevent tearing and leaking. (I recommend this one!)
Cut ingredients evenly: Ensures everything cooks at the same rate.
Preheat your grill: Helps achieve proper cooking temperature right away.
Let it rest before opening: This keeps the steam in and finishes the cook.
Don’t overstuff the foil: Overfilling can prevent even cooking and sealing.
Chicken Foil Packets FAQs
Yes, you can assemble them up to a day ahead and refrigerate until ready to cook.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F in the thickest pieces.
Easy Campfire Chicken Foil Packets Recipe
Campfire Chicken Foil Packets
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Pounds chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- ½ Cup honey
- ⅓ Cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ Cup soy sauce
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 1 Teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 bell peppers, in 1-inch pieces, any color
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- ½ Cup bacon bits
- 1 ⅓ Cups Colby Jack cheese, shredded, optional
Instructions
Prepare and Marinate the Chicken
- Pat dry the chicken breasts with a paper towel. Trim all excess fat from the breasts.
- Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, keeping in mind the size of the chicken will impact the cooking time. Set aside.
- To a Ziploc bag or container, add the honey, BBQ sauce, soy sauce, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Add the chopped bell peppers, onion and bacon bits, and mix well.
- Add the cut chicken breasts, and mix well so all ingredients are well coated with the marinade. If using a Ziploc bag, squeeze the air out and place it in a dish.
- Refrigerate the chicken for at least 1 hour, but for more flavor and tenderness, overnight or for a maximum of 48 hours.
Prepare the Foil Packs
- Cut 4 pieces of aluminum foil, 24 x 18 inches. Fold in half so you have 2 layers, in case of a leak.
- Fire up the BBQ or campfire. You want to get it to 350 to 375°F.
- Divide the chicken mixture equally between all 4 foil sheets. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Fold each foil to make a packet. Make sure they’re tightly closed so no steam can escape.
Cook the Foil Packs
- Place the foil packs on the grill. Cook for 6 minutes, rotating and moving them occasionally. This is so if you have a hot spot, they will cook more evenly.
- Cook for another 6 to 8 minutes or until the chicken is 165°F in the thickest part.
Add the Cheese
- *Omit this step if not using cheese.*Once the chicken is cooked through, open the foil packs and sprinkle in the shredded cheese. Place back on the griddle, still open, and put the lid down.
- Cook for another 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted to your liking. If your grill doesn’t have a lid, simply close the foil packs back up, making sure to leave some room so the cheese melts on the chicken and not over the foil.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Cut ingredients evenly: Ensures everything cooks at the same rate.
Preheat your grill: Helps achieve proper cooking temperature right away.
Let it rest before opening: This keeps the steam in and finishes the cook.
Don’t overstuff the foil: Overfilling can prevent even cooking and sealing.
Nutrition
There’s something incredibly satisfying about cooking a complete meal over the fire, and these campfire chicken foil packets make it simple and flavorful. With juicy chicken, smoky bacon, gooey cheese and colorful veggies, each packet is a little pocket of BBQ magic. Whether you’re feeding the family at home or relaxing around the grill, this easy dinner recipe is a go-to favorite that’s as easy to clean up as it is to enjoy. Campfire chicken foil packs are perfect for camping.
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Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
