Chicken foil packets are a delicious and easy way to prepare a flavorful, tender chicken meal with minimal cleanup. Everything you need for a satisfying dinner is sealed up in a foil packet and cooked to perfection. This recipe is great for a quick weeknight meal or for grilling out during the summer. The combination of juicy chicken, vegetables, and seasoning makes this dish a hit at every meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What makes chicken foil packets so great is how convenient and customizable they are. I love how easy they are to prepare—just toss everything together, seal it up, and let the oven or grill do the work. The chicken stays moist and tender, while the veggies soak up all the savory flavors from the seasoning. The best part is that there’s almost no cleanup afterward! Plus, I can mix and match my favorite veggies and spices depending on what I have on hand, so it’s a recipe I can make over and over again.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts or thighs (boneless and skinless)
- Fresh vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and carrots)
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary)
- Aluminum foil
(Hero’s tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) or prepare the grill for medium-high heat.
- Lay out a large sheet of aluminum foil for each packet. If I’m making multiple packets, I make sure to use enough foil to wrap each one tightly.
- Place the chicken in the center of each piece of foil. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the chicken and rub it in.
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste. I also like to add fresh herbs on top for extra flavor.
- Add the chopped vegetables around the chicken. Feel free to use whatever veggies I have in my fridge or whatever is in season.
- Fold the foil over the chicken and vegetables, crimping the edges to seal the packet.
- Place the foil packets on a baking sheet or directly on the grill. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or cook on the grill for about 20-25 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. The chicken should be fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Carefully open the foil packets (watch out for the steam) and serve.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings, but it’s easy to scale up or down depending on how many people I’m serving. In terms of timing, I usually bake the packets for around 25-30 minutes in the oven, or grill them for 20-25 minutes. The chicken will be perfectly cooked when it reaches 165°F (74°C).
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix for a little heat.
- Cheese Lover: Sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken and veggies before sealing the foil packet. I love a little melted cheese on top of everything.
- Italian Style: Use Italian seasoning and swap the veggies for tomatoes, spinach, and olives to make an Italian-inspired foil packet.
- Citrus Twist: Add a few slices of lemon or orange on top of the chicken for a burst of fresh citrus flavor.
Storage/Reheating
If I have leftovers, I store the foil packet contents in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For reheating, I prefer to use the oven—just wrap the leftovers in foil and heat them at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re warm. You can also reheat them in the microwave if you're in a hurry, but the oven will keep the chicken and veggies from getting too dry.
FAQs
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
I use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F (74°C) for safety. You can also cut into the thickest part of the chicken and check that it’s no longer pink inside.
Can I use frozen chicken for foil packets?
I recommend thawing the chicken first to ensure it cooks evenly. If I do use frozen chicken, I might need to adjust the cooking time and check the temperature to make sure it’s fully cooked.
Can I make chicken foil packets ahead of time?
Yes! I love preparing the foil packets in advance and storing them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When I’m ready to cook, I just pop them in the oven or on the grill.
Can I use different types of meat?
Yes, this recipe works with other proteins like beef or fish. Just adjust the cooking time according to the type of meat you’re using.
How can I make the chicken more flavorful?
Marinating the chicken in your favorite marinade for a few hours before assembling the foil packets is a great way to infuse even more flavor. I also like adding garlic, herbs, or citrus directly on the chicken for extra zing.
Conclusion
Chicken foil packets are a versatile, easy-to-make dish that I keep coming back to. The prep is simple, and the flavors are unbeatable. Whether I’m making them for a weeknight dinner or a weekend BBQ, they’re always a hit. Plus, the minimal cleanup is a bonus! I love how I can customize the vegetables and seasoning based on my preferences, making it a perfect go-to meal that I can adapt over and over again.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking or Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Chicken foil packets are a simple and flavorful meal made by sealing chicken and vegetables in foil and baking or grilling them to tender perfection with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 cups chopped fresh vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, zucchini, onions, carrots)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) or heat the grill to medium-high.
- Lay out large sheets of aluminum foil for each serving.
- Place a chicken piece in the center of each foil sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and top with fresh herbs.
- Add chopped vegetables around the chicken.
- Fold and seal the foil to form packets.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or grill for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Carefully open foil packets, watch for steam, and serve.
Notes
- Feel free to swap in your favorite seasonal vegetables.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked.
- Packets can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 foil packet
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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