Chicken and Apple Rice
Freeze-dried chicken and instant rice in one pot. High protein, high calories, built for fuel over flavor.
- calories
- 1050
- weight
- 9 oz
- cal / oz
- 117
- protein
- 48 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 15 min
- total time
- 17 min
- water
- 360 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
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- Nut free
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Instant rice | 1 cup | measured dry, before packing |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried chicken | 1/2 cup | crumbled into the bag |
| Freeze-dried apples | 1/2 cup | crumbled into the bag |
| Freeze-dried mozzarella cheese | 1/4 cup | |
| Instant chicken broth powder | 1 tsp | or a low-sodium packet |
| Fine sea salt | 1/8 tsp | skip this if your broth powder is salty |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp | packed separately in a dropper bottle |
Method
- At home, mix rice, chicken, apples, cheese, broth powder, and salt into a quart freezer bag.
- At camp, bring 360 ml of water to a boil with the olive oil.
- Pour the water and oil into your pot, dump in all the dry ingredients, and stir until everything is wet.
- Cover and remove from heat. If you're at high altitude or in cold weather, wrap the pot in a cozy.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Stir and eat straight from the pot or pour into a bowl.
Freeze-dried chicken cuts pack weight while keeping protein high—no fresh meat to spoil, no cans to pack out. Everything rehydrates from one boil, making a single pot and no extra stove time.
The apples cut the concentrated, slightly salty taste of rehydrated chicken; the rice provides bulk and carbs. It serves one large appetite comfortably or stretches to two smaller ones without waste.
Packing
Mix and seal all dry ingredients in a quart freezer bag at home. Carry olive oil in a small dropper bottle or tear-off packet to keep it separate and prevent greasing the bag.
Variations
- Divide the batch in half and pack two single servings for easier portioning on longer trips.
- Use freeze-dried strawberries or peaches instead of apples for a different flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of powdered butter or a small packet of mayo powder for extra richness.
- This dish serves two if both appetites are normal rather than expedition-hungry.
https://trailcooking.com/2025/02/03/new-recipe-chicken-and-apple-rice