Featured Recipe
Foil Chicken Sweet Potato Packets
By Kate
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Chicken thighs (swap for pork chops) with cubed sweet potatoes (try butternut squash instead), smoky bacon, red onion, BBQ glaze, and rosemary. Wrapped tight in double-layered foil to lock moisture and sauce. Grilled over medium heat 25-35 mins, flipping once to avoid flare-ups. Check doneness by feel and internal temp rather than rigid clock time. Drizzled honey adds a caramel note just before sealing but can be swapped for maple syrup or brown sugar for a twist. A simple hands-off method delivering layers of texture and smoky aroma from the grill. Great for quick outdoor meals with minimal cleanup.
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Prep:
10 min
Cook:
25 min
Total:
35 min
Serves:
4 servings
grilling
foil packets
chicken recipes
outdoor cooking
Introduction
Forget fuss and cleanup nightmares. Get that smoky char without babysitting. Chicken thighs lock in juiciness better than breasts, but pork chops work too if you prefer red meat – just adjust cook time. Cube butternut squash for a subtly sweet, creamy texture swap that holds up well on the grill. Bacon adds salt-fat balance, filling gaps around the meat so heat circulates evenly. Keep foil double-wrapped unless you want sticky grill floors. Maple syrup under the foil caramelizes gently, no disasters like burnt honey on grill racks. Use your senses here: sizzling sounds, aromatic tickles of thyme and bacon fat, give away grilling progress better than numbers. These packets are a quick turn, minimal tool fix for satisfying smoky meals. Worth the trust test over guesswork.
Ingredients
About the ingredients
Substitution is your friend when it comes to woods, sauces, and veggies. Switching sweet potato with butternut squash changes texture and sweetness profile but both crisp and soften nicely in packets. Poultry thighs preferred for moisture; breast meat tends to dry out unless watched carefully. Bacon quality impacts smoky flavors; thicker slices hold flavor longer. Fresh thyme replaces rosemary for a lighter herbal lift that’s less piney, works better with maple syrup’s gentler sweetness than honey’s floral punch. BBQ sauce can be smoky, spicy, or sweet depending on your fridge stock. Double-layering foil is a game changer—prevents tearing and sauce leaks, keeps grill clean, aids in even cooking traps steam to avoid drying meat. Always prep ingredients uniformly for consistent cook times.
Method
Technique Tips
Good foil sealing technique saves the day; crimp all edges tightly, fold over twice if needed, watch foil thickness. Don’t skimp on double wrap or sauce might drip and cause flare-ups. Heat medium, not max, reduces risk of burning bacon before chicken cooks through. Flipping halfway ensures packets brown on all sides and juices distribute evenly without excessive drying. Listening for sizzle and pausing at subtle steam hisses in foil tells you heat’s right. Press meat gently to check firmness—raw chicken yields easily, cooked feels springy but firm. Keep instant-read thermometer handy—target 165°F internal temp for chicken, 145°F for pork chops, or you risk dryness or safety issues. Rest packets after cooking for juiciness retention; opening too soon loses precious steam and flavor. If peel-back shows excess water pooling, add a minute on grill next time, adjust for thickness or grill hot spots.
Chef's Notes
- 💡 Double wrap the foil; prevents tears. Crimp edges tightly. Seals in moisture; nothing worse than leaks. Check foil quality; thicker is better for heat retention.
- 💡 Meat should feel firm yet springy; that’s cooked through. Press gently. Can use instant-read thermometer—165F for chicken, 145F pork. Helps avoid dryness.
- 💡 Cook on medium heat; about 325-350F. High heat risks bacon burning before chicken cooks. Patient grilling gets smoky flavor without charred bits.
- 💡 Bacon adds flavor. Thick-cut holds up better. Adjust portion; too much can overpower. Fresh herbs like thyme elevate flavors—don’t skip this for aroma.
- 💡 Swap vegetables. Butternut squash for sweet potatoes—different sweetness. Texture varies too. Both work when cubed. Experiment with other veggies for fun.
