Rehydrated Chicken and Apples
Freeze-dried chicken and apples in one pot. Forty grams of protein, minimal cleanup.
- calories
- 600
- weight
- 5 oz
- cal / oz
- 120
- protein
- 42 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 15 min
- total time
- 17 min
- water
- 240 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.
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- Bikepacking
- Nut free
- One pot
- Grab and go
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Freeze-dried chicken | 1 cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried apples | 1/2 cup | break them up before packing |
| Shelf-stable parmesan cheese | 2 Tbsp | |
| Low-sodium chicken bouillon | 1 teaspoon | |
| Olive oil | 1 Tbsp | carry in a small dropper bottle or packet |
Method
- Boil 1 cup of water with the olive oil.
- Remove from heat and stir in the freeze-dried chicken, apples, parmesan, and bouillon.
- Cover the pot and let sit for 15 minutes to rehydrate.
- Stir well before eating.
Freeze-dried chicken is shelf-stable protein. The apples soften into the broth as the pot sits, adding body, while parmesan adds fat and salt. You end up with a meal rather than a cup of hot water with bits in it.
Forty grams of protein keeps you going through a long day better than carbs alone. Freeze-dried ingredients work anywhere—just add hot water and wait fifteen minutes.
Packing
Pack the freeze-dried chicken, apples, parmesan, and bouillon in a quart-size bag. Keep the oil separate in a dropper bottle so it doesn't grease everything. Alternatively, this works well in a freezer bag with a cozy if you prefer in-bag cooking.
Variations
- Add instant rice or couscous for more bulk and carbs.
- Use dried garlic powder or Italian seasoning instead of bouillon for different flavors.
- A tablespoon of instant mashed potato flakes thickens the broth and adds calories.
https://trailcooking.com/2025/02/01/new-recipe-high-protein-chicken-and-apples