This Tom Kha Gai inspired coconut chicken and rice is slightly sweet with a hint of acidity and is hands down my most requested backpacking recipe. Best of all, most if not all of the ingredients can be found at the grocery store making this one of the most convenient recipes for the occasional backpacker who doesn’t want to commit to purchasing cans of freeze-dried ingredients. Spice up this just-add-water meal with the addition of red chili flakes and salt to taste.
The rehydration ratio is driven almost entirely by the instant rice (1:1) so you can easily adjust this recipe to suit your preferences. Make a vegetarian version by omitting the chicken or accommodate peanut-allergies by omitting the peanuts. The amount of water you’ll need to add remains the same.
- 1 cup Minute Instant white rice
- 6 Tbsp coconut powder
- 4 tsp freeze dried green onions
- 2 Tbsp peanuts, lightly chopped
- 1/4 c freeze dried chicken (optional)
- 1/4 tsp lime powder, such as True Lime
Preparation Instructions: Measure out all the ingredients and add to re-sealable boil bag. Add an oxygen-absorber if you are planning to store the meal longer than month, are living in or traveling through a humid area, or simply don’t want to risk the ingredients clumping together (I’ve never had an issue). Otherwise it’s one less thing to pack in, and one less piece of trash to pack out.
Don’t forget to label your bag with the rehydration instructions!
Serving instructions: 1 cup boiling water. Wait ~10 minutes.
I have personally purchased and used any product linked to in this recipe. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Salt-Free Thai Inspired Seasoning Mix
True Lime is a salt-free seasoning that many backpackers already have on hand, and this recipe works just fine with that alone. However if you find yourself returning to this backpacker meal time and again, it makes sense to invest in a more robust seasoning blend. Mix it once, store it, and then have it on hand for the future.
- ground coriander
- lemongrass powder
- galangal powder
- makrut or kaffir lime powder
Backpacker Thai Coconut Chicken & Rice
Equipment
- 1 Mylar Boil Bag
Ingredients
- 1 cup Minute Instant white rice
- 6 Tbsp coconut powder
- 4 tsp freeze dried green onions
- 2 Tbsp peanuts, lightly chopped
- 1/4 c freeze dried chicken
- 1/4 tsp lime powder
Instructions
- Mix together alll ingredients before sealing into a boil bag.
- To prepare, add 1 cup (8 fl oz) boiling water. Stir immediately. Let rest ~10 minutes while the rice rehydrates. Stir again before serving.
Click for more cold soak and just-add-water ultralight backpacking meal recipes!