Gemma Palmer recommends the Expedition Foods Mexican Chicken Burrito Bowl. Find out why.
Devouring this tasty, high-calorie meal was a fantastic way to end a long day. The Expedition Foods Mexican Chicken Burrito Bowl is undeniably filling and warmed me from the inside out – but when it came to the technicalities, it is a bit of a mixed bag.
Gemma Palmer recommends
The flavour profile is where this dish truly shines. It is a deep, sophisticated blend of smoked paprika, garlic, and onion, all sharpened by a bright acidity from the lemon.- high calorie meal
- gluten free
- exceptional flavour profiles
- small instruction text
- inconsistent textures
- misleading water fill level
| Quick specs |
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| Price: $14.49 | £11.49 (available from Base Camp Food) Weight: 142g Calories: 826 kcal Calories/100g: 565 kcal Calories/£1: 70 kcal Time to hydrate: 8 mins Vegetarian/vegan: No expeditionfoods.com |
The flavour profile is where this dish truly shines. It is a deep, sophisticated blend of smoked paprika, garlic, and onion, all sharpened by a bright acidity from the lemon that leaves you wanting more.
However, the experience is let down by the rehydration. While the rice was ready in five minutes, the sweetcorn lagged behind, and the chicken was a disappointment. It became a bit of a ‘pot luck’ with every mouthful; more often than not, the pieces remained dry and chalky in the middle, even by the time I had finished the pack.
The packaging also requires a bit of patience. The ‘fill line’ info is buried at the bottom of the front label, so I needed to swtich on the overhead lights in the van to find it. It would be more of a struggle in a small tent. I followed the suggested line, but the result was a rather wet dish. I’m a firm believer in the ‘double stir’ method – once while pouring and again halfway through – but even that didn’t save the chicken here. Ultimately, you’re left with a predicament: opening the bag to stir releases precious heat but leaving it to rest results in those dry chalky bits.
Despite the ‘five-minute’ claim on the label, 15% of the ingredients simply aren’t invited to the party on time. It is a savoury, high-energy winner on flavour alone, but it loses marks for these frustrating inconsistencies. If you can overlook the odd crunchy chicken piece, it is still a delicious way to refuel.
How we tested
Gemma prioritises flavour over calorie-density. She tested in autumn and early winter, in temperatures between 4-15°C, from the breezy viewpoints of the Cambridgeshire hills to relaxing in a van by the banks of the Great Ouse.
This review was first published in the March 2026 issue of The Great Outdoors. You can compare it with others in our guide to the best backpacking meals.
