Italian Chicken Vegetable Packet

Foil packet dinners make mealtime quick and easy to prepare, cook, and clean up. Find other foil packet recipes in the Protein section of the online cookbook.

Course Lunch & Dinner

Servings packets

Cost $2.60 per serving

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken cut into 12 strips
1 ⅓ cup fat-free Italian dressing or vinaigrette
2 teaspoons dried basil
4 cups frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and/or carrots
4 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups whole-wheat pasta cooked

Instructions

Divide chicken and potatoes between 4 sheets of aluminum foil (12x18-inches each). Pour Italian dressing over chicken and sprinkle with basil. Arrange vegetables on top of chicken.
Wrap each packet by bringing up the sides. Double fold the top and ends to seal. Leave room for heat to circulate inside.
Bake at 450°F for 20-22 minutes.
When cooking is done, carefully open packets to allow steam to escape. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Use a food thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken pieces reach 165°F for food safety.
Serve over hot whole-wheat pasta.

Video

Notes

To bake in an electric skillet, heat to 400°F. Use a cooking rack in the bottom of the skillet and pour in about 1⁄2-inch of water. Place the packets on the rack. Cover and close the steam vent. (If you do not have a rack, make your own with aluminum foil. Form foil into a long snake about 1-inch thick. Form into a coil to fit in the skillet. Place the packets on top of the coil.)

For grilling, heat grill to medium-high or about 400-450°F. Place packets on grates. To test for proper temperature, place your hand, palm side down, 4 to 5 inches above the cooking grates. Count the seconds until you cannot keep your hand there any longer. At a medium-high cooking temperature, you can keep your hand in place 4 to 5 seconds. Do not place your hand too close to the grates to avoid serious burns.

For campfire cooking, use the same method to test cooking temperature. Place packets on cooking grates. Due to uneven heat, cooking times may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1packet