Welcome, fellow adventurers and backpacking enthusiasts, to a game-changing recipe that will transform your outdoor dining experience. Say goodbye to bland meals on the trail and say hello to the mouthwatering Chicken Burrito Dehydrated Backpacking Meal! Packed with flavor, convenience, and nutrition, these burritos are the perfect solution to satisfy your taste buds and energize your adventures.
Step-by-Step Guide to Backcountry Chicken Burritos
From their high protein content to their energy-sustaining qualities, we’ll discuss why chicken burritos are a must-have for your outdoor excursions. With easy-to-follow instructions, we’ll help you gather the necessary ingredients and prepare these delectable meals. And for those seeking personalization, we’ll provide exciting variations and customizations to make your chicken burritos truly your own. Get ready to fuel your exploration with the incredible Chicken Burritos Dehydrated Backpacking Meal – it’s time to take your outdoor dining to new heights!
In this blog post, we’ll explore the chicken burritos as a backpacking meal, guide you through the essential ingredients and preparation techniques.
Nutritional Benefits of Chicken Burritos
When it comes to embarking on a backpacking trip, fueling our bodies with the right nutrients is paramount to conquering rugged terrain and keep our energy levels soaring. I love the Chicken Burrito for that specific reason. These flavor-packed burritos offer a number of benefits that cater perfectly to the needs of adventure enthusiasts.
Essential Macronutrients for Backpacking
When backpacking, our bodies require a balance of macronutrients to sustain us. Chicken burritos provide the perfect combination of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Protein is essential for muscle repair and recovery, while carbohydrates supply the energy our bodies crave during demanding hikes. The healthy fats found in the burrito provide long-lasting energy and help us feel satisfied throughout our adventure. With chicken burritos, we can fuel our bodies efficiently, ensuring we have the stamina to tackle any obstacle along the trail.
Backpacking Energy Requirements
Backpacking demands considerable energy expenditure. Whether we’re climbing steep inclines or trekking for miles, our bodies need a reliable source of fuel. Chicken burritos deliver the energy we require to keep going thanks to their optimal balance of nutrients. The carbohydrates in the tortilla provide quick-release energy, where the protein from the chicken helps sustain our energy levels for extending periods. By indulging in a chicken burrito, we can keep our stamina high and stay focused for whatever lies ahead.
Chicken Burritos x Backpacking
Aside from their energy-boosting properties, chicken burritos truly have it all. The chicken itself is a lean protein source, supplying us with essential amino acids that aid in muscle repair and recovery. The vegetables inside the burrito provide a range of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Whatever you put in your chicken burrito, the basics are sure to provide you with everything that you need.
Chicken Burrito Ingredients and Preparation
With any burrito, there is lots of customization to be done! Here is a list of ingredients you’ll need for my recipe:
- Spanish Rice
- Canned Black Beans
- Canned Corn
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Chicken (cooked and shredded)
- Salt & Pepper (To taste)
- Taco Seasoning (Optional)
- Salsa (your choice)
- Tortillas (flour or corn)
With this recipe, we will be dehydrating the contents of our burritos and packing the tortillas as is. I dehydrated a chunky salsa with my burrito contents and then brought hot sauce with me.
Preparing the Chicken Burritos
Follow these directions for dehydrating the contents of your Chicken Burritos:
- Dehydrating Spanish Rice:
- Prepare the Spanish rice according to the package instructions or your preferred recipe.
- Spread the cooked Spanish rice in a thin layer on dehydrator trays lined with non-stick sheets or parchment paper.
- Set the dehydrator to a low temperature, around 125°F (52°C), and allow the rice to dehydrate for approximately 6-8 hours or until completely dry and crisp.
- Once dehydrated, let the rice cool and transfer it to airtight containers or sealable bags for later use.
- Dehydrating Black Beans and Corn:
- Drain and rinse the beans and corn.
- Spread them evenly on dehydrator trays.
- Set the dehydrator to a low temperature, around 125°F (52°C), and allow the beans to dehydrate for approximately 8-10 hours or until fully dry and hard.
- Let the dehydrated black beans cool before transferring them to airtight containers or sealable bags for storage.
- Dehydrating Chicken:
- Prepare the chicken by removing excess fat. The more fat removed the better for dehydration.
- Season and cook the chicken thoroughly, either by baking, grilling, or boiling. Avoid using oil to cook the chicken.
- Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely.
- Shred the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Spread the shredded chicken in a single layer on dehydrator trays.
- Set the dehydrator to a low temperature, around 145°F (63°C), and dehydrate the chicken for approximately 6-8 hours or until it becomes dry and leathery.
- Let the dehydrated chicken cool before transferring it to airtight containers or sealable bags.
- Dehydrating Salsa, Onion, and Bell Peppers:
- For dehydrating salsa, spread a thin layer of salsa onto dehydrator trays or use fruit leather trays for liquids.
- Dice the onion and bell peppers into small, uniform pieces.
- Spread the diced onion and bell peppers evenly on dehydrator trays.
- Set the dehydrator to a low temperature, around 125°F (52°C), and allow the salsa, onion, and bell peppers to dehydrate for approximately 6-8 hours or until completely dry and brittle.
- Once dehydrated, let the salsa, onion, and bell peppers cool before transferring them to airtight containers or sealable bags.
Remember to adjust the drying times based on the specific dehydrator you are using and to check the ingredients periodically during the dehydration process to ensure they are fully dried. Once dehydrated, you can rehydrate these ingredients during your backpacking trip by adding hot water or cooking them with additional liquid on the trail. Enjoy your homemade dehydrated ingredients in delicious chicken burritos wherever your adventures take you!
Rehydration Tip: Weigh your ingredients BEFORE and AFTER dehydration. The difference in mass (g) is how much water was removed from the food. With water, g = mL, so add that amount back to your meal!
Putting it All Together in the Backcountry
Now that you have diligently dehydrated all the ingredients for your chicken burritos, it’s time to put everything together and enjoy a delicious meal in the backcountry. Follow these steps to assemble your satisfying and flavorful backpacking feast:
- Set up your cooking area: Find a suitable spot in your campsite to set up your camping stove or other cooking equipment.
- Boil water: Fill your pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. You’ll need hot water to rehydrate the various ingredients. Boil the amount of water that you’ll need to hydrate the food. Since the difference in weight from hydrated to dehydrated was 400g, I used 400mL of water to hydrate the ingredients.
- Rehydrate the components: Place the desired portion of these ingredients in a resealable bag or directly in the pot, and carefully pour the hot water over them. Let them soak for the recommended time, typically around 10-15 minutes. Stirring occasionally. I usually massage the bag half way through.
- (Optional) Prepare the tortillas: While the ingredients are rehydrating, warm up the tortillas. You can do this by placing them on a warm pan or directly over a low flame on your camping stove. Heat each side for a few seconds until they become pliable and warm. Be careful not to burn them.
- Assemble the burritos: Lay out a warmed tortilla on a clean surface or plate. Spoon a generous amount of the filling onto the center of the tortilla. Fold in the sides and then roll it tightly from bottom to top, creating a neat burrito package. Repeat this process for each burrito you wish to prepare.
- Enjoy your backcountry burrito: Take some time to indulge in your feast and enjoy the nature around you.
Remember to practice Leave No Trace principles by properly disposing of any waste and minimizing your impact on the environment. Pack out any leftover food scraps and ensure your cooking area is clean before continuing your journey.
By following these steps, you can enjoy the convenience and deliciousness of a homemade chicken burrito right in the backcountry. Bon appétit and happy trails!
Backcountry Chicken Burrito: Dehydrated Meal
4
servings30
minutes40
minutes550
kcalMake this extremely versatile, filling, and delicious backpacking meal!
Ingredients
2 Cups Rice
1 Can Refried Beans or Black Beans (Based on Preference)
1 Can Corn
1 Cup Onion (Chopped)
1 Red Bell Pepper (Chopped)
2 Chicken Thighs (Cooked and Shredded)
1/2 Cup Salsa (Based on Preference)
Large Tortillas
Dehydrating Rice
- Prepare rice according to package directions or your preferred recipe.
- Spread the cooked rice in a thin layer on dehydrator trays lined with non-stick sheets or parchment paper.
- Set the dehydrator to a low temperature, around 125°F (52°C), and allow the rice to dehydrate for approximately 6-8 hours or until completely dry and crisp.
- Once dehydrated, let the rice cool and transfer it to airtight containers or sealable bags for later use.
- Dehydrating Black Beans and Corn
- Drain and rinse the beans and corn.
- Spread them evenly on dehydrator trays.
- Set the dehydrator to a low temperature, around 125°F (52°C), and allow the beans to dehydrate for approximately 8-10 hours or until fully dry and hard.
- Let the dehydrated black beans cool before transferring them to airtight containers or sealable bags for storage.
- Dehydrating Chicken
- Cook the chicken thoroughly, either by baking, grilling, or boiling.
- Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely.
- Shred the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Spread the shredded chicken in a single layer on dehydrator trays.
- Set the dehydrator to a low temperature, around 145°F (63°C), and dehydrate the chicken for approximately 6-8 hours or until it becomes dry and leathery.
- Let the dehydrated chicken cool before transferring it to airtight containers or sealable bags.
- Dehydrating Salsa, Onion, and Bell Peppers
- For dehydrating salsa, spread a thin layer of salsa onto dehydrator trays or use fruit leather trays for liquids.
- Dice the onion and bell peppers into small, uniform pieces.
- Spread the diced onion and bell peppers evenly on dehydrator trays.
- Set the dehydrator to a low temperature, around 125°F (52°C), and allow the salsa, onion, and bell peppers to dehydrate for approximately 6-8 hours or until completely dry and brittle.
- Once dehydrated, let the salsa, onion, and bell peppers cool before transferring them to airtight containers or sealable bags.
- Cooking in the Backcountry
- Set up your cooking area: Find a suitable spot in your campsite to set up your camping stove or other cooking equipment.
- Boil water: Fill your pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. You'll need hot water to rehydrate the various ingredients. Boil the amount of water that you’ll need to hydrate the food. Since the difference in weight from hydrated to dehydrated was 400g, I used 400 mL of water to hydrate the ingredients
- Rehydrate the components: Place the desired portion of these ingredients in a resealable bag or directly in the pot, and carefully pour the hot water over them. Let them soak for the recommended time, typically around 10-15 minutes. Stirring occasionally. I usually massage the bag halfway through.
- (Optional) Prepare the tortillas: While the ingredients are rehydrating, warm up the tortillas. You can do this by placing them on a warm pan or directly over a low flame on your camping stove. Heat each side for a few seconds until they become pliable and warm. Be careful not to burn them.
- Assemble the burritos: Lay out a warmed tortilla on a clean surface or plate. Spoon a generous amount of the filling onto the center of the tortilla. Fold in the sides and then roll it tightly from bottom to top, creating a neat burrito package. Repeat this process for each burrito you wish to prepare.
- Enjoy your backcountry burrito: Take some time to indulge in your feast and enjoy the nature around you.
Notes
- Remember to adjust the drying times based on the specific dehydrator you are using and to check the ingredients periodically during the dehydration process to ensure they are fully dried. Once dehydrated, you can rehydrate these ingredients during your backpacking trip by adding hot water or cooking them with additional liquid on the trail. Enjoy your homemade dehydrated ingredients in delicious chicken burritos wherever your adventures take you!
Final Thoughts: Backcountry Chicken Burrito
The Chicken Burrito Dehydrated Backpacking Meal offers a delightful combination of flavor, nutrition, and convenience for your outdoor adventures. By dehydrating the Spanish rice, black beans, corn, chicken, salsa, onion, and bell peppers, you’ve created a portable and lightweight meal solution that can be easily rehydrated and assembled in the backcountry. These burritos provide the necessary macro nutrients to fuel your body, meet your energy requirements, and keep you going on the trails. Whether you’re embarking on a multi-day backpacking trip or simply enjoying a day hike, the Chicken Burrito Dehydrated Backpacking Meal is a satisfying and delicious choice. So, pack your ingredients, hit the trail, and savor the taste of adventure with each flavorful bite.
Happy backpacking!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
