Chicken Bacon Ranch Foil Packets are a quick and easy dinner with practically no clean up required. This recipe is also great for camping trips and make ahead meals.
If you are looking for a tasty recipe that is perfect for the camp-fire or for an easy grill night then you may want to give this Keto Shrimp Foil Packets recipe a try also.
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Healthy Chicken Foil Packets Are a Great Go-To Dinner
As the weather warms up one of my favorite recipes to make for family grill nights is foil packs. Not only are they all-in-one, but when you use chicken they are filled with lean protein that is good for you.
They’re flavor packed meals that make for an easy dinner while camping or any night. So, if you’re looking for a great meal that will become a family favorite, read on!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These bacon ranch chicken foil packets are an incredibly simple and stress-free meal that requires minimal effort in terms of cleanup. This recipe is ideal for camping trips and for making ahead, allowing you to spend more time with loved ones or simply relaxing.
Here are some other things you’ll love about this dish:
- Short on time? No problem! This meal is ready in under 30 minutes.
- It’s so easy to make, you can put the kids in charge.
- Have picky eaters? You can easily customize each packet to accommodate different tastes.
If you love foil packet meals you may also enjoy this Low Country Boil Foil Packets recipe.
Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this delicious and easy recipe. The best thing about this recipe is that all of the ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store so you only need to make one quick trip.
- Chicken: For this recipe you will need boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- Broccoli: I used fresh broccoli to make these foil packet dinners.
- Cheese: I like to use shredded cheddar for the best flavor in this recipe.
- Ranch Seasoning: So much flavor in one little packet! This is the secret ingredient that makes this dish oh so yummy and also incredibly easy.
Substitutions
Chicken: Instead of chicken breast, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
Vegetables: If you don’t have fresh broccoli, frozen works just as well. If your family is not a fan of broccoli, you can use sliced zucchini instead.
Cheese: Use the kind you like! Shredded cheddar, Colby jack, and mozzarella all work great. Even sliced cheese like American, swiss or provolone can be used. Or, omit the cheese if you want to go dairy-free.
Seasoning Mix: If you have buttermilk powder, you can make homemade ranch seasoning. If you don’t have ranch seasoning do NOT use ranch dressing or your dish will be a mess. Instead, use a different seasoning mix like Italian dressing, Cajun seasoning or garlic and herb.
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
Here a few ways that you can personalize this delicious family-friendly recipe.
Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms make a tasty addition to this recipe.
Potatoes: If you’re not eating low-carb, add some red potatoes (cut into bite-sized pieces) to your foil packs.
Spicy: Spice up your packets with a tablespoon of hot sauce mixed into the ranch.
Shrimp: If you’d like to add a seafood flair, shrimp can be added to the packet.
How to Make Foil Packet Bacon Ranch Chicken
Making this chicken dinner is so easy, all you have to do is follow the instructions below and you will have a healthy meal in no time at all.
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees if you’re baking your foil packets. Otherwise, fire up the grill or build a good campfire to cook over.
Step 2: Season the chicken breasts
Place the chicken pieces into a mixing bowl and drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over them. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle half a package of Ranch seasoning onto the chicken, and toss to coat.
Step 3: Prepare the foil pieces
Prepare 4 sheets of aluminum foil about 15 inches long each. Use heavy duty foil.
Step 4: Add the vegetables
Lay them on a flat surface, and place 1 cup of broccoli (or other vegetable of your choice) into the center of each sheet of foil. Top the vegetables with some more of the Ranch seasoning mix, if desired.
Step 5: Add the chicken
Place a handful (about ¼) of seasoned chicken on top of the broccoli.
Step 6: Top with cheese and bacon
Sprinkle ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken in each packet. Next, crumble 1 piece of cooked bacon on the top of each foil meal.
Make sure the bacon goes on top of the cheese. This will help prevent the melted cheese from sticking to the foil when you open the packets.
Step 7: Close the packets
Fold up the edges of each tin foil sheet lengthwise, and fold them over to seal them together. And, then fold up each of the ends of each piece of tin foil to form a sealed packet.
Step 8: Bake the packets
Place the packets on a baking sheet, and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken breasts are cooked through. The chicken is cooked fully when a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees.
Over a campfire, your cook time should be similar to the bake time above. If grilling, it should take about 20-25 minutes for the chicken to be grilled to perfection.
Serving Suggestions
When dinner is ready, carefully open the packets and sprinkle more crumbled cooked bacon over the top if you are a bacon lover.
I love to serve these foil pockets with a side of these Instant Pot Cheesy Potatoes and if you want something healthy you can pair them with these Green Beans and Potatoes.
Pro Tips
Here are a few tips to make sure that these foil pockets turn out perfectly for you every time that you make them.
- Make sure to use enough of the ranch seasoning. You don’t want your chicken to be bland!
- Try adding other vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, or mushrooms for a more veggie-filled meal.
- If you are camping, cook these on the campfire on top of the coals for about 20 – 25 minutes.
- You could also cook these on a grill for about 20 minutes.
FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions for this recipe.
Leftover foil pockets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat when ready to serve.
Yes, to freeze these foil packets fully assemble them and wrap each in plastic wrap before placing into a freezer bag and freezing for up to 3 months.
Foil packets can be reheated in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until heated through.
More Ranch Recipes
If you like ranch, give these recipes a try:
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📋 Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Foil Packets
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Equipment
- Aluminum foil
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces
- 4 cups Broccoli chopped
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 Slices cooked bacon crumbled
- 1 Packet Ranch seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- Aluminum foil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Place the chicken pieces into a mixing bowl, and top with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- Sprinkle ½ a package of Ranch seasoning onto the chicken, and toss to combine.
- Cut 4 pieces of aluminum foil about 15 inches long each.
- Lay them on a flat surface, and place 1 cup of broccoli into the center of each sheet.
- Top the broccoli with some more of the Ranch seasoning mix, if desired.
- Place a handful (about ¼) of seasoned chicken on top of the broccoli.
- Top the chicken with ¼ cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Crumble 1 piece of cooked bacon on the top of each foil meal.
- Fold up the edges of each tin foil sheet lengthwise, and fold them over to seal them together.
- Fold up each of the ends of each piece of tin foil to form a sealed packet.
- Place the packets on a baking sheet, and bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Video
Notes
- Make sure to use enough of the ranch seasoning. You don’t want your chicken to be bland!
- Try adding other vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, or mushrooms for a more veggie-filled meal.
- If you are camping, cook these on the campfire on top of the coals for about 20 – 25 minutes.
- You could also cook these on a grill for about 20 minutes.
Can I make ahead, then freeze and reheat at the campsite on a grill or fire pit?
Yes, you can do that. I hope you enjoy them!
I made this with potato and way more bacon 😊 put it all together in a pan on a grill. So yummy and it was devoured. Will definitely make this regularly.
That’s the great thing about recipes, you can modify them however you like! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for sharing how you changed it, maybe another reader will want to try it that way also.
I was wondering if you can only bake these in the oven or on a grill also?
Yes, you can cook these on the grill. Most recipes I’ve seen recommend using two sheets of aluminum foil for durability when you cook it on the grill. Cook for about 25 minutes or until chicken temperature is 165 degrees.
Do you have the nutrition info for this recipe?
Hey, sorry that wasn’t already there. It should be there now!
Can I just place all ingredients in a roaster instead of aluminum foil
You can put the ingredients in a casserole dish in the oven and cook at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
Can I eliminate the cheese?
Sure, you don’t have to include the cheese.
Can you use frozen broccoli?
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. I looked it up, and Martha Stewart says you can roast frozen broccoli the same way you would fresh broccoli.
Can you cook these on a grill?
Yes, you can cook these on the grill. Most recipes I’ve seen recommend using two sheets of aluminum foil for durability when you cook it on the grill. Cook for about 25 minutes or until chicken temperature is 165 degrees.
Soooooo good!!!! Forgot the bacon but the ranch does soo well with the chicken and broccoli!