Trail Chicken Pasta
Freeze-dried chicken, pasta, and corn that need only boiling water and 20 minutes of waiting.
- calories
- 700
- weight
- 5 oz
- cal / oz
- 140
- protein
- 36 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 18 min
- total time
- 20 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
- Grab and go
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Freeze-dried pasta | 1/2 cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried mozzarella cheese | 1/2 cup | |
| Freeze-dried corn | 1/2 cup | |
| Freeze-dried chicken | 1/2 cup | |
| Low sodium chicken bouillon | 1 tsp packet |
Method
- Bring 350 ml of water to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add all dry ingredients to the pot. Stir well.
- Cover and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes until the pasta is tender and everything has rehydrated.
- Stir and eat.
Freeze-dried ingredients weigh almost nothing and last for months without refrigeration, making them ideal for long trips where resupply is weeks away. The chicken provides substantial protein, and the cheese carries fat that makes the pasta satisfying rather than just filling. The 15-minute sit does all the work—no actual cooking required, just time and hot water.
The freeze-dried cheese will clump slightly as it rehydrates, and that is fine. It gives the pasta an interesting chewiness rather than the slick coat you would get from fresh cheese. If you are skeptical, try it once: the result tastes closer to home cooking than most trail meals do.
Packing
Mix all dry ingredients into a single freezer bag at home. Include the bouillon packet. Add an oxygen absorber if packing for long-term storage.
Variations
- Substitute freeze-dried mushrooms or bell peppers for the corn.
- Add hot sauce or seasoning salt when rehydrating for more depth.
- Use a pot cozy in cold weather to retain heat and speed rehydration.
https://trailcooking.com/2025/01/07/instant-meals-chicken-pasta-with-corn