21 Effortless Foil-Pack Dinner Recipes for New Year That Save Cleanup

Posted on November 27, 2025

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Introduction

Foil-pack dinners are perfect for busy New Year evenings—simple prep, quick cooking, and almost zero cleanup. Each packet locks in flavor, keeps ingredients tender, and gives you a cozy meal without fuss. Below, you’ll find 21 foolproof foil-pack recipes that bring comfort, freshness, and convenience straight to your table.

1. Lemon Herb Chicken Foil Pack

A zesty chicken dinner that’s juicy, bright, and perfect for a fresh New Year vibe.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 1 cup baby potatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Lay foil and place chicken in the center.
  3. Add potatoes around the chicken.
  4. Drizzle olive oil and season with garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  5. Top with lemon slices.
  6. Seal the foil tightly and bake 30–35 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle fresh parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges.

2. Garlic Butter Shrimp & Asparagus Pack

A quick seafood dinner that feels fancy without extra effort.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
  • 3 tbsp melted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
  2. Combine shrimp, butter, garlic, and seasonings.
  3. Lay asparagus on foil, top with shrimp mixture.
  4. Seal tightly and bake 12–15 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add lemon zest or chopped dill.

3. Steak & Mushroom Foil Pack

Hearty and comforting—perfect for cold evenings.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb steak, cubed
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
  2. Toss steak and mushrooms with oil and seasonings.
  3. Add to foil and seal tightly.
  4. Bake 18–20 minutes for medium doneness.

How to Serve It

Serve with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

4. BBQ Chicken & Corn Pack

A sweet and smoky foil-pack favorite.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken thighs
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 cup corn kernels
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place chicken on foil and coat fully with BBQ sauce.
  3. Add corn and onions around it.
  4. Seal and bake 35 minutes.

How to Serve It

Garnish with chopped cilantro.

5. Teriyaki Salmon Foil Pack

A sweet-savory salmon dinner with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

  • 2 salmon fillets
  • 3 tbsp teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 cup bok choy, chopped
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place salmon on foil and drizzle with sauces.
  3. Add bok choy around the fillets.
  4. Seal and bake 18–20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with green onions.

6. Sausage & Pepper Foil Pack

Flavorful, colorful, and perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

  • 2 sausages, sliced
  • 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
  • ½ onion, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
  2. Toss ingredients together and place on foil.
  3. Seal and bake 20–25 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve with rice or a simple salad.

7. Veggie Medley Foil Pack

A vibrant, plant-based pack for lighter days.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup zucchini, chopped
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup broccoli florets
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Add veggies to foil, drizzle oil, and season.
  3. Seal and bake 20–22 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add grated Parmesan.

8. Cajun Chicken & Rice Foil Pack

Bold flavors and cozy textures in one pack.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken thighs
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • ½ cup bell peppers
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Combine ingredients in foil.
  3. Seal well and bake 30–35 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add green onions.

9. Pesto Chicken & Tomato Pack

Fresh and bright with classic Italian flavors.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp pesto
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Coat chicken with pesto.
  3. Add tomatoes and season.
  4. Seal and bake 30–32 minutes.

How to Serve It

Finish with basil.

10. Chili-Lime Shrimp Foil Pack

Spicy, tangy, and super quick.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb shrimp
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
  2. Combine shrimp with seasonings.
  3. Seal in foil and bake 12 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with fresh cilantro.

11. Greek Chicken Foil Pack

A bright Mediterranean-style meal.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes
  • ¼ cup olives
  • ¼ cup red onion
  • 2 tbsp feta

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place ingredients on foil and season.
  3. Seal and bake 32 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add a squeeze of lemon.

12. Maple Dijon Salmon Pack

Sweet and tangy salmon made simple.

Ingredients

  • 2 salmon fillets
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix sauce, coat salmon.
  3. Add carrots, seal, and bake 18 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with parsley.

13. Chicken Fajita Foil Pack

A quick Tex-Mex inspired dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts, sliced
  • 1 cup peppers
  • ½ onion
  • 1 tbsp fajita seasoning
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
  2. Toss chicken and veggies with oil and seasoning.
  3. Seal and bake 20–25 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve with tortillas.

14. Lemon Dill Cod Foil Pack

Light, refreshing, and super easy.

Ingredients

  • 2 cod fillets
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • Fresh dill
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Add cod to foil, drizzle oil, season, and top with lemon.
  3. Seal and bake 15–18 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve with steamed rice.

15. Honey Garlic Chicken Pack

Sweet, savory, and comforting.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken thighs
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 cup mixed veggies

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Mix sauce and coat chicken.
  3. Seal with veggies and bake 32–35 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add sesame seeds.

16. Italian Meatball Foil Pack

A cozy, saucy dinner.

Ingredients

  • 10 meatballs
  • ½ cup marinara
  • ¼ cup mozzarella
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place meatballs in foil, top with sauce and cheese.
  3. Seal and bake 22–25 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve with garlic bread.

17. Balsamic Chicken & Veg Foil Pack

Rich and flavorful with minimal prep.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Coat all ingredients with balsamic mixture.
  3. Seal and bake 30 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add fresh basil.

18. Taco Potato Foil Pack

A fun twist on taco night.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups diced potatoes
  • ½ lb cooked ground beef
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • ½ cup cheese
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C).
  2. Toss potatoes with oil and seasoning.
  3. Add beef, seal, and bake 25–30 minutes.
  4. Add cheese for final 5 minutes.

How to Serve It

Add sour cream.

19. Lemon Pepper Tilapia Pack

Fast, light, and clean tasting.

Ingredients

  • 2 tilapia fillets
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup green beans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Combine ingredients in foil.
  3. Seal and bake 15–18 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve with rice pilaf.

20. Mushroom & Herb Rice Foil Pack

Comforting and simple.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • ½ cup mushrooms
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp dried herbs
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Add everything to foil and mix lightly.
  3. Seal and bake 15 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with parsley.

21. Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Pack

Sweet, juicy, and perfect for a bright New Year dinner.

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken thighs
  • ½ cup pineapple chunks
  • ¼ cup teriyaki sauce
  • ½ cup bell peppers

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Add all ingredients to foil, coat evenly.
  3. Seal and bake 32 minutes.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Conclusion

Foil-pack dinners make busy evenings simpler and more enjoyable. Try a few of these cozy New Year recipes, save your favorites, and share them with someone who loves easy meals with big flavor. Your kitchen will feel calmer, and your plates will stay full without extra cleanup.

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