The recipes featured in this post were originally published in the Summer 2022 issue of Bear Necessity. Since discontinuing the online magazine, I've decided to share some of my favorite content from it with those of you who follow my blog.
After a long day of battling bugs and baking in the sun, you finally make it to camp exhausted and sweat encrusted. The LAST thing you want to do is plop down in front of a stove to cook a pipping hot meal. So this Summer, give these quick and easy no-cook recipes a try. Not all no-cook meals have to involve crunchy cold soaked Ramen noodles. You can still make something that tastes great with minimal effort. All three of these meals are ideal for lunch or dinner, and open up the opportunity to go stove-less. Best of all, each recipe has one high-protein ingredient in common: chicken!
You'll find a downloadable PDF of all three recipes at the end of this post!
Chicken Salad
Makes 1 serving. Takes 5 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
2.6 oz package of plain chicken
6 whole wheat or multi-grain crackers
1 - 2 packets mayonnaise
1 Tbsp chopped walnuts
1 Tbsp dried cranberries
pinch of salt, pepper
pinch of celery seed/flakes (optional)
At Home Instructions
In a small Ziploc bag, combine walnuts, cranberries, salt, pepper, and celery seed (or flakes.)
In a quart size Ziploc bag, place crackers, mayonnaise packet, and package of chicken.
The smaller bags with walnuts and cranberries can be placed in the quart size bag as well.
On-the-trail Instructions
Tear open the package of chicken. Pour in seasoning, fruit, nuts, and mayonnaise.
Stir together in the packet with a long handle spoon.
Scoop chicken salad onto crackers.
Enjoy!
Quick Tip:
Pill and vitamin pouches are the perfect size bag for packing spices and seasoning mixes separately from the rest of your ingredients. You can even save and reuse them for future recipes.
For a gluten-free option, substitute wheat crackers with rice or seed-based crackers.
BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Makes 1 sandwich. Takes 5 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
2.6 oz package of Applewood smoke flavor chicken
1 - 2 Arnolds multi-grain sandwich thins
2 packets BBQ sauce
At Home Instructions
In a quart size Ziploc bag, place 1 to 2 sandwich thins, 1 to 2 BBQ sauce packets, and a package of Applewood Smoke flavor chicken.
On-the-trail Instructions
Tear open the package of chicken and pour in the sauce.
Stir together in the packet with a long handle spoon.
Scoop BBQ chicken onto the sandwich thins and enjoy!
Why Use Sandwich Thins?
In my experience, they can take a lot more abuse in your food bag than a regular hamburger bun or even sliced bread. They're a great substitute that won't get squished into oblivion in your pack before you're ready to use them.
Cilantro Lime Tacos
Makes 3 tacos. Takes 5 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
2.6 oz package of plain chicken
2 - 3 fajita size tortillas
1/2 packet True Lime crystalized lime
pinch of salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried cilantro
At Home Instructions
In a small Ziploc bag combine a pinch of dried cilantro, salt, onion powder, and garlic powder.
In a quart size Ziploc bag put 2 to 3 tortillas, crystalized lime packet, seasoning bag, and package of chicken.
On-the-trail Instructions
Tear open the package of chicken and pour in seasoning. Pour in only half the packet of lime.
Stir together in the package with a long handle spoon.
Scoop chicken onto tortillas.
Enjoy!
Variations:
For a gluten free option, substitute flour tortillas with corn.
For traditional tacos, pack 1 to 2 tsp of the taco seasoning of your choice instead of the herbs and spices listed in the ingredients. To prepare, add a small amount of water to the taco seasoning. Stir into the package of chicken, scoop onto tortillas, and enjoy!