Hitting the road for a camping trip means packing light and eating hearty. You can prepare delicious meals over an open fire with a Dutch oven. To help get you started, we’ve slapped four of our favorite Dutch oven chicken recipes to cook over your campfire.

We must admit that some of these might be a bit unique. But bear with us and try them out. They will change how you think about campfire cooking.

Finding the perfect Dutch oven.

Before we break out our four favorite Dutch oven recipes, let’s look at the perfect oven for your camping trips. 

When choosing a Dutch oven for campfire cooking, you can choose two main types of materials: cast iron or ceramic. If portability is important to you, then ceramic is probably the best option because it’s lighter and easier to carry around, a bit lighter than cast iron. On the other hand, if heat retention is your priority, a cast iron Dutch oven is the best choice as it can keep food warm longer.

Also, think about the size of the Dutch oven, as this will determine how much food you can cook at one time. A 6-quart Dutch oven is generally ideal for campfire cooking since it’s not too big or too small.

Stansport pre-seasoned cast iron Dutch oven.

We’ve tried a few Dutch ovens over the years, but the one we keep returning to is the Stansport pre-seasoned cast iron Dutch oven. We have the 8 quarts as it’s an ideal size for our family. It’s made out of durable cast iron and comes pre-seasoned, so you can start using it right away. 

Something different about this pot is that it has a flat bottom as opposed to the feet. We love this as it’s easier to place in the embers of a fire without worrying about tipping. 

There are other ones out on the market, but this one has proven to be a reliable Dutch oven that we use over and over again. 

Preparing your campfire and Dutch oven.

When you’ve got your campsite all set up and ready to go. It’s time to start thinking about getting your campfire and Dutch oven ready for cooking. Here are a few steps to get everything prepared for a delicious chicken meal.

1. Gather your materials. You’ll need dry wood (a mix of small kindling, medium-sized sticks, and larger logs), matches or a lighter, newspaper or other tinder, and a shovel for safety purposes. You’ll also need your Dutch oven, of course.
2. Prepare the fire pit. If there’s an existing fire pit, great; if not, you’ll need to create one. Find a spot away from trees and bushes. Use rocks to form a circle. The pit should be about a foot deep. We recommend buying a smokeless fire pit specifically designed for cooking, like the Breeo smokeless fire pit.
3. Build your fire. Start by placing a handful of tinder in the center of the pit. Arrange your kindling wood over the tinder in a teepee shape. Ignite the tinder using matches or a lighter. Once the kindling catches fire, start adding the larger logs.
4. Let the fire burn down to coals. This is the most critical step and often one that is skipped. A good cooking fire has less flame and more glowing coals. It provides steady, even heat, which you want when cooking with a Dutch oven.
5. Prepare your Dutch oven. You can start prepping your Dutch oven while waiting for the fire to burn down. If necessary, apply a thin layer of oil to the inside of the oven to prevent food from sticking.
6. Place the Dutch oven on the coals. Once the fire has burned down, you’re ready to start cooking. Place your Dutch oven directly on top of the hot coals so it can heat up before adding your ingredients. For recipes that require baking, you’ll also need to place coals on the lid of the oven to create heat from the top.

That’s all there is to it. Now you’re ready for the fun part: cooking up your favorite campfire delicacies. 

Our favorite campfire Dutch oven chicken recipes.

Now, to the good stuff. These are our four favorite recipes for chicken when we’re out camping. 

A quick disclaimer for all of these recipes — Remember that cooking times may vary based on the size of your Dutch oven and the temperature of the fire. Always be sure to check the food periodically to make sure it’s cooked through. 

Campfire Chicken and Vegetable Medley

The Campfire Chicken and Vegetable Medley is a one-pot wonder that combines the juicy, savory flavors of chicken with the hearty goodness of fresh vegetables. All cooked to perfection in a Dutch oven over a campfire, it’s a simple yet satisfying meal that’s perfect for outdoor adventures.

Ingredients.

• 4 chicken pieces (thighs or breasts)
• 2 large potatoes, cubed
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Your favorite herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or parsley), to taste

Instructions.

1. While the fire is burning down, prepare your ingredients: Clean and chop your vegetables, and season your chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
2. Add a little oil to the Dutch oven (optional), then add the chicken pieces. Cook until they’re browned on all sides.
3. Add the chopped vegetables to the Dutch oven, placing them around and on top of the chicken pieces.
4. Season everything with your chosen herbs, adding another small dash of salt and pepper if needed.
5. Cover the Dutch oven with its lid. If you want more even heat distribution, place some hot coals on top of the lid.
6. Let everything cook for about 40-60 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender. You can check for doneness using a meat thermometer – the chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

This is one of the more straightforward campfire cooking recipes, and it’s a great way to get your family eating healthy while enjoying the outdoors. 

Dutch Oven Roast Chicken

The Dutch Oven Roast Chicken is a classic recipe that’s simple yet incredibly flavorful. This method uses the heat of a campfire to create crispy skin while the inside stays juicy and tender. The best part is that you can customize it with your favorite spices and herbs. It’s a versatile main dish that’s sure to make your camping trips more memorable.

Ingredients.

• 1 whole chicken
• Butter (about 2-3 tablespoons)
• Your preferred spices (like paprika, thyme, or garlic powder)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Your favorite herbs for stuffing (like rosemary, parsley, or thyme)

Instructions.

1. Prepare your chicken: Clean it, pat it dry, and season it inside and out with salt, pepper, and your chosen spices.
2. Stuff the chicken cavity with your chosen herbs.
3. Add the butter to the Dutch oven and let it melt.
4. Place the whole chicken in the Dutch oven, breast side up.
5. Let the chicken roast for about 60-90 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
6. Once done, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before carving to allow the juices to redistribute.

This is a classic chicken recipe with a fun Dutch oven twist. It’s the perfect way to get your campfire cooking going, and it will surely be a hit with kids and adults.

Chicken and Potatoes Dutch Oven Delight

This is one of our favorite campfire Dutch oven chicken recipes because it brings in some bacon bits for a little extra flavor and crunch. The result is a delicious chicken dish packed with flavor, and the potatoes add some much-needed carbs to your camping meal.

Ingredients.

• 4 chicken breasts, cubed
• 4 large potatoes, cubed
• 6 slices of bacon, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Your favorite herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or parsley), to taste

Instructions.

1. Cube your chicken breasts and potatoes, and cut your bacon into bite-sized pieces.
2. Add the bacon pieces to the Dutch oven and cook until crispy. You can also use bacon bits, but cooking slices of bacon takes this campfire dish to the next level.
3. Add the cubed chicken breast to the Dutch oven, season with salt and pepper, and cook until it’s browned on all sides.
4. Add the cubed potatoes to the Dutch oven, placing them around and on top of the chicken pieces.
5. Season everything with your chosen herbs, adding another small dash of salt and pepper if needed.
6. Let everything cook for about 40-60 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the potatoes are tender.

This is a super easy meal, but it will change how you think of camping food. It’s filling and flavorful, making it the perfect meal for those long days out in the wilderness. You can easily make enough to have leftovers for the next day.

Dutch Oven Sprite Chicken

The Dutch Oven Sprite Chicken is an innovative and delightful recipe that adds a unique twist to your typical chicken dish. By adding a can of Sprite into the mix, this recipe creates a sweet and savory flavor profile that’s truly memorable. Coupled with hearty potatoes and carrots, this dish cooked in a Dutch oven over a campfire will surely be a hit at your next outdoor gathering.

Ingredients.

• 1 whole chicken
• 4 large potatoes, cubed
• 4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 can of Sprite
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Your favorite herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or parsley), to taste

Instructions.

1. Clean your chicken, pat it dry, cube your potatoes, and slice your carrots.
2. Season the chicken inside and out with salt, pepper, and your chosen spices.
3. Place the whole chicken in the Dutch oven, then add the cubed potatoes and sliced carrots around it.
4. Slowly pour the can of Sprite over the chicken and vegetables.
5. Season everything with your chosen herbs, adding another small dash of salt and pepper if needed.
6. You’ll want to cover the Dutch oven with its lid to keep the steamy Sprite locked in. It’ll make your chicken a bit juicier as well.
7. Let everything cook for about 60-90 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Chances are you’ve never cooked a chicken with Sprite before, but this campfire recipe will make you a believer. It’s sure to tantalize your taste buds and become one of your favorite camping recipes.

Go camping and start cooking!

Camping is not just about enjoying the great outdoors. It’s also about creating memorable meals around the campfire. 

These Dutch oven chicken recipes are simple, delicious, and perfect for a campfire. They bring out the natural, smoky flavors of the campfire and blend them with the savory goodness of chicken and various herbs and spices. 

Whether you’re a fan of the classic roast, a potato lover, or someone seeking a unique flavor twist like the Sprite Chicken, you’ve got to try them all.