Chicken Alfredo Rice
Instant rice with freeze-dried chicken and alfredo powder. Quick at the stove, lightweight for the trail, and gentle on your stomach at altitude.
- calories
- 600
- weight
- 9.5 oz
- cal / oz
- 63
- protein
- 25 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 15 min
- total time
- 17 min
- water
- 350 ml boiled
- cost
- $$
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- Nut free
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Instant white rice | 1 cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried chicken | 1/2 cup | |
| Freeze-dried broccoli | 2 Tbsp | |
| Dried onion | 1 Tbsp | |
| Powdered milk | 1 Tbsp | |
| Grated Parmesan | 1 Tbsp | |
| Alfredo sauce powder | 2 tsp | |
| Dried garlic | 1/4 tsp | |
| Black pepper | 1/4 tsp | |
| Oil | 1 Tbsp | carried in a small bottle |
Method
- Boil 350 ml of water.
- Pour it into a pot with the oil and all dry ingredients. Stir well.
- Cover and let sit for 15 minutes off the heat.
- Stir and eat.
Freeze-dried chicken and vegetables rehydrate completely in 15 minutes of hot soak. You need only one boil and one stir, then you’re done. The powdered milk and alfredo powder make a cream sauce without fresh dairy—lighter weight and indefinite shelf life. It sits easier at altitude than heavier fare.
The rice is the ballast. It absorbs the sauce instead of leaving you with broth that runs out. The freeze-dried chicken is already cooked and densely concentrated, so you get real protein for the ounces in your pack.
Packing
Mix all dry ingredients into a quart freezer bag at home: the rice, chicken, broccoli, onion, powdered milk, Parmesan, alfredo powder, garlic, and black pepper. Carry oil separately in a dropper bottle. At camp, boil water, add to the pot or bag, stir, and wait 15 minutes while everything rehydrates.
Variations
- Swap the alfredo mix for an Italian seasoning packet or nutritional yeast for a different flavor.
- Add 2 Tbsp of egg powder for extra protein and richness.
- Use freeze-dried mushrooms instead of broccoli, or combine both for a more complex sauce.
https://trailcooking.com/2022/08/01/fbc-meals-chicken-broccoli-alfredo-rice