Toss these Caprese Chicken Foil Packets in the oven or on the grill for an easy dinner. They’re great for a make-ahead camping meal, too!
This recipe for Caprese Chicken Foil Packets needs just a few fresh ingredients – chicken, basil, garlic, tomatoes and fresh mozzarella – and a handful of pantry staples.
These easy foil packets can be cooked over the grill or in the oven. Plus they travel well, which makes them an equally handy option for camping or a family meal on your own back patio.
While the packets are grilling, boil or grill some corn, and put together a simple summertime salad. Thirty minutes later, dinner is served.
Plenty of time leftover for wine sipping, napping and frolicking, which is what lazy summer days are all about!
Tips for making these chicken foil packets:
To make the foil packets, use two 12-inch pieces of foil for each packet. Arrange them in an X and scoop the ingredients into the center of the X. Wrap the foil over top of the ingredients and pinch to seal.
To impart as much basil flavor as possible, the basil leaves are cooked with the chicken. That means They’ll become very wilted and not terribly appetizing-looking – not good for the “eating with the eyes first” factor. Before adding the cheese, pull out those sorry-looking basil leaves, then sprinkle freshly slice basil over top before serving the packets.
These chicken in foil packets can be cooked either on a grill or in the oven. Instructions for both are included in the recipe card below.
How to prep foil packets for camping:
These chicken foil packets, along with this foil dinner, are fantastic for camping.
Prep the packets ahead of time, sealing the foil well, and place in resealable plastic bags. Be sure to keep them in a reliable cooler with ice or ice packs so that the temperature is at 40 degrees F or below.
Wrap up the cheese separately and store in the cooler.
When ready to cook, remove the foil packets from the plastic bags and place the packets over the grill/fire. Cook for about 10 minutes per side, then carefully (watch out for the hot steam!) open the foil packs and add the cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted.
What to serve on the side:
Whether you’re serving this meal on your back patio or at the campsite, here are a few side dish ideas that can be made ahead and travel well:
- Grilled Potatoes with Rosemary – our all-time favorite summertime side dish!
- Pesto Butter Corn on the Cob
- Watermelon slices
- Quinoa, Avocado & Blueberry Salad – cut and add the avocado immediately before serving.
- Hoisin Snap Pea & Red Cabbage Slaw – travel with the dressing store separately and toss altogether before serving.
- Black Bean & Corn Salad
Caprese Chicken Foil Packets
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup diced tomato
- 4 whole basil leaves
- 2 ounce fresh mozzarella sliced
- 4 basil leaves thinly sliced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to medium high heat.
- In a medium glass bowl, combine the chicken, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Using 2 pieces of foil per packet (each 12 inches long), form an X by overlapping the foil. Alternatively, use one sheet of heavy duty foil.
- Divide the chicken mixture in half and place in the middle of the foil. Lay the whole basil leaves on top, and sprinkle the tomatoes over top of the chicken. Wrap the piece of foil over the chicken and tomato mixture, pinching the foil to seal. Repeat with the rest of the foil, chicken and tomatoes.
- Place the foil package directly on the grill and cook until the chicken is just cooked through, about 10 minutes per side.
- Alternatively, place the two foil packets on a baking sheets and cook in a 400 degree oven, about 10 minutes per side.
- Carefully unwrap the foil (the steam will be hot!), remove the whole basil leaves with tongs and layer the mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken. Gently wrap again on place on the grill until the cheese is melted about 5 minutes.
- Unwrap and sprinkle with basil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on July 12, 2017 and was updated on June 10, 2020.
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Sabrina
great idea, love the clean up options too and how everything melds together in the packet, thank you!
Lynne
I am going camping and would love to do these, but I dont have an oven in the trailer. Can I do it all on a Gas BBQ?
Dara
Absolutely, Lynne! That’s actually how I cooked them the first time and it worked beautifully. Have fun on your camping trip!
Nicole Mayer
We’re going on a camping trip next week and I was thinking of making this for one of the meals. Do you think it would work as well with skinless chicken thighs?
Dara
Absolutely! Just cut the chicken thighs into strips and follow the directions as written. Have fun on your camping trip!
Krista
Best flavor combo ever! Easy cleanup makes it that much better!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie
I am IN LOVE with this! I love the flavors and I love how easy cleanup will be!
carrie @ frugal foodie mama
I love anything with Caprese flavors! And so genius to make this in foil packets- so awesome for summertime! 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Foil packets are so fun this time of year and love that you added the great flavor of balsamic vinegar.
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
I love that you can make these in the oven or on the grill. SO convenient for summertime adventures and SO delicious!
Jen
It’ll be like opening a present for dinner- a cheesy, yummy gift 🙂 I love it!
Lora @savoringitaly
I just love the ease of this fun summer dish. Perfect way to mix up the chicken ideas during a hot summer week!