Cooking for a dog can be a daunting task.
But it doesn’t have to be!
With the right ingredients and a little bit of patience, cooking for your furry friend can be easy, fun, and oh-so-tasty.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to make a simple chicken dish that your dog will love.
The first thing you’ll need is some chicken breast. Cut it into small pieces so your dog can easily eat them—you don’t want him choking on one of those delicious morsels! Then add some salt and pepper to taste. We recommend using kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper because they have more flavor than regular table salt or pre-ground pepper from the store.
Next, heat up some olive oil in a pan over medium heat until it’s hot enough that when you put a drop of water in it pops and fizzes (this means it’s at least 375 degrees Fahrenheit). Place the chicken in the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides (it should take about five minutes total). Then remove from heat and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes like green beans or cooked carrots
Recipe For Dog Food With Chicken
How to Make Healthy, Homemade Dog Food with Chicken
Chicken is one of the easiest proteins to cook, and it’s incredibly healthy for your pup—it’s no wonder it’s part of so many homemade dog food recipes! Chock full of omega-6 fatty acids for your dog’s skin and coat, as well as healthy amino acids and (of course) lean protein, it’s the perfect ingredient to include in your dog’s diet.
If you’re looking for a homemade dog food recipe that features chicken as the main protein, we’ve got you covered. Check out the recipe below, which combines boneless chicken with tasty sweet potatoes, carrots, and brown rice.
Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breast (skinless and boneless)
- 2 large sweet potatoes
- 1 large carrot
- ½ cup cooked brown rice
- Directions
- Prepare your ingredients: pound chicken breast to about 1” thick, peel and chop sweet potatoes into 1” pieces, peel and slice carrot into 1” pieces, cook rice and set aside.
- Preheat a skillet to medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil.
- Add chicken to skillet and cook for about 5 minutes per side, flipping over at the halfway mark. Check temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure it has reached 165° F. Let chicken rest and then cut into 1” pieces. Set aside.
- In a large pot, add sweet potato pieces and enough water to cover all the potatoes. Bring to a boil and then continue cooking for 15-20 minutes on medium heat.
- Remove potatoes and use a masher to mash potatoes to your desired consistency.
- Re-oil skillet and set to medium heat. Add chicken and sweet potatoes, stirring to combine, and then add the sliced carrot.
- Cover pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking for about 10 minutes until carrots have softened.
- Remove from heat and let the food cool fully before serving.
- FAQs with Our Vet Nutritionist
How do I serve this chicken recipe to my pup?
You can serve this recipe right away while it’s still warm, or cool it in the fridge first. If your pup prefers wet food, you can also thin out the recipe with some chicken broth. Serving size will vary depending on your dog’s size; we recommend serving about a ½ cup for every 20-25 pounds of body weight.
How do I store this recipe?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days; you can also freeze this recipe and store it in the freezer for up to 2 months.
What if my dog doesn’t like this recipe?
Similar to humans, some dogs are just picky eaters! Keep trying out recipes to find one your pup loves. Keep in mind that it’s also common for dogs to be allergic to chicken. If you notice any gastrointestinal issues or skin infections, talk to your vet. You may need to opt for an alternative protein that’s gentler on the tummy, such as lamb.
Can I feed chicken to my dog every day?
Chicken is a fantastic ingredient to feed your dog, but it’s also important that your pup gets a balanced diet! While many of the homemade dog food recipes you can find (including the one above!) are easy to cook, studies have shown that most DIY recipes still lack all the necessary nutrients that would make it an adequate everyday meal.
To ensure your pup is getting everything they need to stay healthy and happy, we recommend working with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
Tip: Save Time with PetPlate
Want to make life a little easier? PetPlate’s here to help. Our vet nutritionist, Dr. Renee Streeter, has been with us since day one, crafting each of our recipes to ensure they’re both highly palatable and perfectly balanced.
With four recipes to choose from—all made with high-quality, human-grade, and whole-food ingredients—you’re bound to find one that your dog loves. Plus, meals are delivered right to your door and on your schedule. You’ll have more time to spend with your furry family members, backed with the peace of mind that you’re serving them the best.
chicken dog food
Chicken meal is rendered chicken meat that has been dried and ground up, and includes clean flesh, skin, and/or accompanying bone. But if you see a bag of dog food that proudly states it’s made with “Real Chicken,” it’s referring to a clean combination of chicken flesh and skin.
Chicken meal does not contain feathers, heads, feet, or intestinal contents. Chicken meal is safe and nutritious for your dog!
Why Is Chicken Meal Used in Dog Food?
“When we’re making pet food, we need a certain proportion of wet and dry ingredients and also need to balance the nutritional needs of pets,” says Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, a Purina Veterinarian. “By drying and grinding up the chicken, the end product is a concentrated, bioavailable protein source.”
“If we tried to use all chicken breasts for example, which are about 75% moisture, to make kibble, it would be way too watery and would not come out properly through the extrusion process,” says Lobos.
Is Chicken Meal Good for Dogs?
Yes! There are plenty of nutritional benefits of chicken meal, which is why you’ll often find it in dog food. For starters, chicken meal is packed with protein, an essential nutrient that plays a role in everything from muscle growth to immune functions.
Chicken meal is also natural source of glucosamine, a building block of cartilage tissue. Glucosamine can help to maintain healthy joints, which can help your dog stay active for a long time to come, but be sure to choose a dog food with additional glucosamine beyond chicken meal.
Is Chicken Meal Safe for Dogs?
Yes! If your dog is eating food from a company that values safety and quality, you’ll never have to worry if chicken meal is bad for dogs. The chicken meal we use in some of our dog food is always carefully sourced, and it always meets our strict quality standards for pet food.
How is Chicken Meal Different from Chicken By-products?
While chicken meal is the protein-packed dry and rendered clean flesh, skin, and/or accompanying bone, dog food with chicken by-products contain the nutrient-rich parts of a chicken that remain after meat is removed, such as the lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys.
Is Chicken Meal Real Chicken?
Absolutely—the rendering and grinding process is the reason we define it as chicken meal, as well as the fact that bones may be included. But if you see a bag of dog food that proudly states it’s made with “Real Chicken,” it’s referring to a clean combination of chicken flesh and skin.
Do Dogs Like Chicken Meal?
If your dog likes chicken, then of course he will like chicken meal in his dog food! And with so many nutritional benefits, you’ll like it, too. Diets like Purina ONE® SMARTBLEND Chicken & Rice Formula, Purina® Pro Plan® SAVOR® Adult Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula and Beneful® Grain Free contain real chicken as the #1 ingredient as well as chicken meal.