These Bbq Chicken Foil Packets are a flavorful combination of tender chicken, zesty barbecue sauce, and a medley of colorful vegetables. This hassle-free grilling delight promises a burst of flavor and a convenient cleanup, making it a must-try for any barbecue enthusiast for summer.
Updated June 2023
Grilled Bbq Chicken Recipe
Get ready to take your grilling skills to the next level with these Bbq Chicken Foil Packets. These chicken foil packets are a game-changer, allowing you to cook a complete and flavorful dish without the need for multiple pans or excessive cleanup. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or simply craving a convenient dinner option, this chicken recipe makes a delicious and hassle-free meal right on your grill.
What are Foil Packets?
Foil packets, also known as foil parcels, are a brilliant cooking technique that lets you prepare a full meal in a simple and convenient way. By wrapping ingredients in aluminum foil, you create a sealed pouch that locks in flavors and moisture, resulting in perfectly cooked dishes.
The beauty of foil packets lies in their versatility and ease of preparation. Plus they are just so darn simple to put together with practically no clean up and the best part? You can customize them with what you like or have in your fridge.
Ingredients you’ll need
For the foil packets:
- Chicken: Tender and juicy boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs serve as the foundation for this recipe. Chicken is a lean protein that absorbs the flavors beautifully when cooked in foil packets, resulting in a satisfying and delicious meal.
- Barbecue Sauce: The star of the show, barbecue sauce brings a sweet and tangy flavor profile to the dish. Whether you choose a store-bought sauce (we like Primal Kitchen’s BBQ Sauce) or make your own homemade barbecue sauce, it coats the chicken, infusing it with a smoky and mouthwatering taste.
- Vegetables: A colorful medley of broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini and corn adds freshness, texture, and nutrition to the foil packets. These vegetables cook to perfection inside the sealed pouch, enhancing the overall flavor and creating a well-rounded meal.
- Seasonings: A blend of garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and other spices elevates the taste of the chicken and vegetables, providing a harmonious and savory combination of flavors.
- Sweetener: If you want to sweeten things up, you can add a drop of liquid Monk Fruit Sweetener or your preferred liquid sweetener of choice such as maple syrup, honey or pureed dates.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: adds a touch of tangy-ness
- Chili Powder: to add some heat
Instructions: How to make Bbq Chicken Foil Packets
Preheat your grill: Preheat grill to medium-high heat or the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut four 18 x 12-inch squares of foil* and layout on a flat surface. Place one chicken breast in the middle of each piece of foil and divide the vegetables evenly into each packet. arranging them around the chicken.
Season the ingredients: Drizzle the chicken and vegetables with oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, sweetener, vinegar, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Brush sauce on both sides of the chicken, reserving enough for later. Sprinkle with half of the chopped parsley.
- Seal everything together: Fold the foil over the chicken and seal to close off the packets.
Grill Instructions:
- Place foil packets onto grill and grill for 7-8 minutes, then flip over and grill for an additional 6-8 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chicken) or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from the grill and carefully open the foil packets. Brush chicken with reserved sauce and top with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Oven Instructions:
If you don’t have a grill, you can still make these foil packets in the oven:
Place foil packets on a baking sheet and cook for 25-35 minutes (or until chicken is cooked through (depends on your oven and how thick the chicken is) and rotating tray once). Time varies depending on the thickness of the chicken.
Remove baking sheet from oven. Brush chicken with reserved sauce and top with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for Success:
- Use Heavy-Duty Foil: Opt for heavy-duty aluminum foil to ensure your packets hold up during grilling. This sturdy material prevents tears or leaks, keeping your ingredients intact and ensuring even cooking.
- Precook Vegetables if Desired: If you prefer your vegetables to be softer, consider lightly pre-cooking them before assembling the foil packets. This step guarantees they reach your desired level of tenderness during the grilling process.
- Seal Packets Properly: To retain flavors and juices, it’s crucial to seal the foil packets tightly. This prevents any moisture from escaping and results in a more flavorful and succulent dish.
Make-ahead, Storage and Freezer Instructions
- Make-ahead: Simply assemble the ingredients into the foil packs ahead of time then place them in the cooler or fridge. Once you are ready to cook or reach your destination, remove from the cooler or fridge and place on the grill or in the oven
- Refrigeration: If you have leftovers, store the cooled foil packets in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy them within 2-3 days for optimal freshness.
- Freezing: You can also freeze the foil packets for future use. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. They can be stored for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or on the grill. For this particular recipe, we would suggest leaving out the zucchini and bell peppers before freezing as they can get soggy. Just add them in when you’re ready to cook. Remember to use thick aluminum foil or double wrap your foil to prevent tearing.
Serving Suggestions
While these Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets are satisfying on their own, here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your meal:
- Rice: Serve the juicy chicken and vegetables over steamed rice or fluffy quinoa for a hearty and complete meal.
- Salad: Pair the foil packets with a crisp green salad or a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad to add freshness and balance to your plate.
- Bread: Create a delightful sandwich by scooping the flavorful chicken and vegetables onto warm crusty bread or soft dinner rolls.
Variations and Substitutions:
- Seafood: For seafood lovers, swap the chicken with shrimp, salmon, or white fish fillets to create a delightful seafood foil packet. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure your seafood is cooked through.
- Vegan: Sub out the chicken with tofu, tempeh or seitan for a vegetarian-friendly dish
- Aluminum foil: If you prefer not to use foil, you can place the ingredients on parchment paper and on a baking sheet for the oven and on a cast iron pan for the grill.
- Oven: If you don’t have a grill, simply place the packets on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 425 F for 25-30 minutes.
More foil packet meals:
Mediterranean Salmon Foil Packets,
These Bbq Chicken Foil Packets are a tantalizing combination of tender chicken, zesty barbecue sauce, and a medley of colorful vegetables. This hassle-free grilling delight promises a burst of flavor and a convenient cleanup, making it a must-try for any barbecue enthusiast for summer.
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce , we like Primal Kitchen's BBQ Sauce or Noble Made but feel free to use your favorite
- 1-2 Tablespoons liquid Monk Fruit sweetener , OR other compliant sweetener of your choice (honey, maple syrup, stevia etc. )
- 1 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- heavy duty foil , plus parchment paper if preferred*
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts , pounded to even thickness
- Himalayan sea salt
- black pepper to taste
- 1-2 Tablespoons olive oil OR avocado oil
- 1 zucchini chopped
- ½ red bell pepper cut into chunks
- ¼ red onion cut into small chunks
- 1 ear of corn , kernels removed (leave out for low carb & keto)
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Preheat grill to medium-high heat or the oven to 425 degrees F. Cut four 18 x 12-inch squares of foil* and layout on a flat surface. Place one chicken breast in the middle of each piece of foil and divide the vegetables evenly into each packet. arranging them around the chicken.
Drizzle the chicken and vegetables with oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, sweetener, vinegar, chili powder, and smoked paprika. Brush sauce on both sides of the chicken, reserving enough for later. Sprinkle with half of the chopped parsley.
- Fold the foil over the chicken and seal to close off the packets.
Place foil packets onto grill and grill for 7-8 minutes, then flip over and grill for an additional 6-8 minutes (depending on the thickness of the chicken) or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from the grill and carefully open the foil packets. Brush chicken with reserved sauce and top with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Place foil packets on a baking sheet and cook for 25-35 minutes (or until chicken is cooked through (depends on your oven and how thick the chicken is) and rotating tray once). Time varies depending on the thickness of the chicken. Remove baking sheet from oven. Brush chicken with reserved sauce and top with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
*if you prefer using parchment paper instead - you can also cut four 18 x 12 inch parchment paper squares and place them on top of the foil and place the salmon and vegetables on the parchment paper. Then double wrap the packets with the foil layer on the outside.
Disclaimer: This updated post was generated on June 16, 2023 by ChatGPT, an AI language model, and all info should be reviewed and validated by a human for accuracy and relevancy before implementation
Eleanor -
Yum, these were amazing!