Parchment Packet Recipes That Make Weeknight Dinners a Breeze

By Kaitlyn Yarborough
August 01, 2018
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Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller
At first mention, en papillote just sounds like it would be anything but simple. If we can’t say it, we figure we can’t cook it. Not to mention, we are loyal customers of the one-pot dinner and the sheet-pan supper to get us from our busy weekday to the dinner table without too much fuss. They’re easy on the prep time, quick on the cleanup, and full of flavor. If you, like us, find those qualities appealing (or necessary), you might need to whip out your parchment paper tonight. Because it turns out that baking dinner in parchment—as they say in France: en papillote—is more than perfect for quick weeknight dinners that work whether you’re cooking for one or for a crowd. This dinner-in-a-bag cooking style keeps proteins incredibly moist through its steaming process and allows herbs, citrus juices, and savory sauces to really soak into the ingredients. You just wrap the ingredients up in a pretty pouch and let them bake until it puffs up! Chicken, seafood, and shellfish work amazingly for parchment packs, and we always recommend throwing tons of fresh vegetables and seasonings to make it a hearty meal. As if it couldn’t get any easier, you can even purchase pre-cut parchment paper cooking bags if baking en papillote becomes a weeknight staple. These delicious parchment packet recipes will save you from crazy dinnertime frenzy with filling, good-for-you suppers.
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These Parchment Packet Meals are Surprisingly Simple

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Lemon-Dill Tilapia

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Lemon-Dill Tilapia

Tilapia gets a twist with lemon and dill, while shredded carrots and parsley give some great pops of color. Dig into this parchment paper packet immediately after popping it out of the oven for a perfectly warm, flaky fish fillet!

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Snapper Baked in Parchment with Spring Vegetables

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Recipe: Snapper Baked in Parchment with Spring Vegetables

Each parcel of delicious snapper and fresh veggies steams with its own delicious juices, concentrating the flavors and releasing a mouthwatering aroma once opened.

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Steamed Salmon and Asparagus in Parchment

Credit: via Real Simple

Recipe: Steamed Salmon and Asparagus in Parchment

Asparagus, scallions, and tarragon bake with the salmon for a fresh weeknight dinner you’ll feel healthier after (we promise!), and the dish is served with roasted new potatoes to keep everyone full.

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Arctic Char and Vegetables in Parchment Hearts

Credit: via Cooking Light

Recipe: Arctic Char and Vegetables in Parchment Hearts

This healthy supper recipe with tender roasted artic char and fresh veggies, including leeks, bell peppers, snow peas, and carrots, makes for a fresh meal that won’t sacrifice flavor.

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Shrimp En Papillote

Credit: via Seasons and Suppers

Recipe: Shrimp En Papillote

This Asian-inspired recipe features shrimp, bok choy, and noodles for a deliciously easy, filling dinner spiced up with ginger, lime juice, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, and garlic.

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Ginger-Scallion Chicken Parchment Pack

Credit: via Food Network

Recipe: Ginger-Scallion Chicken Parchment Pack

The chicken tenders are kept moist with the steam and given Asian-inspired flavor with ginger, scallions, rice vinegar, chili-garlic sauce, and soy sauce. Snow peas and shitake mushrooms are added to pack it with healthy veggies.

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Mediterranean Fish Packets

Credit: via From a Chef’s Kitchen

Recipe: Mediterranean Fish Packets

This Mediterranean-inspired parchment packet gives you an adventurous weeknight dinner that you can switch up with the fish of your choice, though we suggest cod, grouper, or bass.

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Spaghetti al Cartoccio

Credit: via Bell’alimento

Recipe: Spaghetti al Cartoccio

This Italian pasta is served steaming hot in individual parchment packs for a fun presentation and out-of-the-box baking method. Toss al dente noodles with the delicious sauce before baking with cheese, capers, and basil on top.

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Slow-Roasted Salmon in Parchment Paper

Credit: via Epicurious/Chelsie Craig

Recipe: Slow-Roasted Salmon in Parchment Paper

Caramelized onions, capers, olives, raisins, and—surprise!—rum make a savory sauce and flavorful bed upon which to slow-roast the salmon fillets. The rum, like white wine, keeps the ingredients moist and draws out even more flavor.

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Lemon Garlic Chicken Packets

Credit: via Nom Nom Paleo

Recipe: Lemon Garlic Chicken Packets

The reliable duo of lemon and garlic gives this simple packet dinner recipe major flavor, and the roasted chicken is made heartier with summer squash, tomatoes, and olives. You can serve this recipe over rice if desiring something more filling.

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Clam, Chorizo, and Kale Parchment Pack

Credit: via Food Network

Recipe: Clam, Chorizo, and Kale Parchment Pack

When we say you get countless flavors in this easy packet recipe, we’re not kidding. Clams and chorizo make an unlikely delicious duo, while kale and cannellini beans pair perfectly to make the dish hearty. White wine, paprika, and garlic work to bring it all together!

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Chicken, Bacon, & Ranch Packets

Credit: via The Nutrition Addiction

Recipe: Chicken, Bacon, & Ranch Packets

This recipe is packed with some of our favorite things—bacon, ranch, cheddar cheese, and broccoli—and lets you indulge a little without getting any major grease or butter into the mix. The recipe recommends using a high-quality herby yogurt ranch dip in lieu of traditional ranch dressing, but either works!

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Chicken, Bok Choy, and Tomatoes in Parchment

Credit: via marthastewart.com/Bryan Gardner

Recipe: Chicken, Bok Choy, and Tomatoes in Parchment

Using a dry white wine helps the steamy process of baking the chicken get so much more flavor out of the shallots, thyme, tomatoes, and bok choy.

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Lemongrass Coconut Shrimp and Noodles Parchment Pack

Credit: via Food Network

Recipe: Lemongrass Coconut Shrimp and Noodles Parchment Pack

The aroma of coconut, curry, and lemongrass will waft dreamily out of the parchment packet once you cut it open, with delicious shrimp and tender noodles rounding out the meal.

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Summer Vegetables with Soft-Cooked Eggs

Credit: via Sun Basket

Recipe: Summer Vegetables with Soft-Cooked Eggs

This veggie-packed, meat-free meal tastes fresh and delicious with a soft-cooked egg on top. It’s finished with a drizzle of Green Goddess dressing to add a creamy, herby touch.

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Turmeric and Honey Parchment Baked Chicken

Credit: via Whole Food Bellies

Recipe: Turmeric and Honey Parchment Baked Chicken

This zingy chicken stays incredibly moist thanks to the bold marinade of garlic, oyster sauce, white pepper, turmeric, cilantro, raw honey, and fish sauce. The chicken takes on a bright curry-like hue for a great pop of color. We guarantee this dish will become a quick favorite, and serve over rice or quinoa for heartiness.

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Kale, Lemon, Artichoke, and Caper Fish Packets

Credit: via Real Simple/Johnny Miller

Recipe: Kale, Lemon, Artichoke, and Caper Fish Packets

We love the artichoke hearts in this recipe because it gives a Mediterranean flair along with capers, lemon, and olive oil. Cod, salmon, or bass work very well for this steamy fish packet.

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough