Overnight Mediterranean Couscous with Canned Chicken
Couscous and canned chicken mixed in cold water before bed. Mediterranean seasoning, zero cooking, eaten straight from the bag.
- calories
- 750
- weight
- 6.8 oz
- cal / oz
- 110
- protein
- 28 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 3 min
- cook
- 0 min
- total time
- 3 min
- water
- 350 ml cold
- cost
- $$
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Cold soak
- No cook
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- Bikepacking
- Nut free
- Eat in the bag
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Instant couscous | 1/2 cup | the five-minute kind |
|---|---|---|
| Canned chicken | 3 oz | drained weight from a standard tin |
| Dried sun-dried tomatoes | 3 tbsp | diced into small pieces |
| Dried red onion | 1 tbsp | |
| Dried oregano and parsley | 1 tsp | or Italian herb mix |
| Grated Parmesan cheese | 2 tbsp | |
| Olive oil | 1 tbsp | carried in a small dropper bottle |
| Lemon powder | 1/2 tsp | |
| Salt and pepper | to taste |
Method
- Before bed, pour 350 ml of cold water into a quart-size ziplock with all dry ingredients.
- Seal and shake for ten seconds to combine.
- Leave it in your pack overnight. The couscous will soften as it hydrates.
- In the morning, shake again, drizzle with olive oil, and eat straight from the bag.
Couscous is made for cold hydration: overnight in water it softens without cooking, while canned chicken provides complete protein without any fuel. The dried vegetables and powdered cheese contribute flavor and umami as they plump up in the cold water.
Mediterranean cooking without fresh ingredients relies on salt, acid, and fat—all portable in dry form. Lemon powder does the acid work. Pack the olive oil in a separate dropper bottle or it will grease your entire food bag, but it’s worth the weight. It’s what makes this taste intentional instead of just filling.
Packing
Mix all dry ingredients into a single-serving ziplock at home. Carry the canned chicken and olive oil separately to avoid greasing everything. If using a tin, wrap it in a small ziplock to contain any leaks.
Variations
- Add a handful of powdered chickpeas for more protein and bulk.
- Mix in a pouch of canned artichoke hearts for additional vegetables.
- Substitute white beans or other canned beans for the chicken.
https://www.trailgroove.com/forums/topic/1762-no-cook-mediterranean-couscous-and-chicken-recipe