Campfire Chicken Tacos Recipe

Campfire Chicken Tacos Recipe was originally published in November 2020. 

Campfire chicken tacos are one of my absolute favorites when I’m road tripping or taking off on a backpacking adventure. 

Regular readers, are you confused? It’s okay, 2020 has brought out the weirdest of the weird, and I decided to try something new and start a post series that features my favorite camping and backpacking meals. 

These easy (and cheap!) to make campfire tacos are a definite winner, hell, even my husband who has the palate of a toddler enjoyed these bad boys. I came up with my campfire taco recipe when we were road tripping in the Alaskan Arctic last summer, taking backpacking trips into ANWR and Gates of the Arctic. 

Campfire Chicken Tacos Ingredients 

Cooking Items/Utensils

If car camping

If backpacking

Campfire Chicken Tacos Directions 

Step 1: Add grapeseed oil

 Set your cast iron over campfire coals, or turn on your camp stove if backpacking. Add a tablespoon of grapeseed oil.

Step 2: Add the chicken, beans, onions, cumin & jalapeños

Throw the chicken, beans, onions, cumin, and jalapeños in your pan. Fry this concoction up for 5 minutes or so. The length of time will vary depending on how hot of a fire you’re cooking over. 

If you’re backpacking, I’d recommend mixing up the chicken, beans, chopped onions, cumin, and sliced jalapeños in either a collapsable bowl or Ziploc bag prior to your departure and storing in your bear canister to save time and avoid the weight of the cans. 

Step 3: Add salt and tomatoes

Next, add a pinch of salt and tomatoes. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes as you prepare your tortillas.

If you don’t like cooked tomatoes, you can always skip adding them now and add them fresh at the end with the cilantro. 

Step 4: Start toasting your first tortilla

This is when that Y-shaped stick comes in handy. 

Take your corn tortilla and smear a little oil over either side, then flop it over the fork of your Y-shaped stick. Sprinkle a little cheese on top and start toasting. If you have a second pan you could always toast the tortillas in there, but I think the stick over the fire is more fun. 

Step 5: Remove your pan from fire/heat

Once your onions start to get golden, pull your taco mix off the fire. 

Step 6: Dish up!

Toss a dallop of your chicken and beans mixture onto your cheesy, toasty tortilla, and add a little green onion, cilantro, lime, avocado, sour cream, and cholula (or not) to your liking. Enjoy. 

Have Any Questions About This Campfire Chicken Tacos Recipe?

Ask in the comments section below.