Two straightforward chicken recipes, a common starting protein for owners new to homemade cooking. For the framework behind these recipes, see Homemade Dog Food Recipes by Protein.
Chicken and Rice Dog Food
Ingredients: 900g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cooked; 450g white rice, cooked; 2 teaspoons ground eggshell (or 2,000mg calcium carbonate supplement); 1 tablespoon fish oil; 1 serving of a complete vitamin and mineral supplement formulated for homemade dog food.
Boil or bake the chicken thoroughly until fully cooked with no pink remaining, then chop or shred once cooled.
Cook the rice separately, then combine with the chicken in a large bowl.
Mix in the calcium source evenly, then stir in the fish oil and supplement once the mixture has cooled to a safe serving temperature.
Chicken and Butternut Squash Dog Food
Ingredients: 900g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cooked; 450g butternut squash, peeled and cubed; 2 teaspoons ground eggshell (or 2,000mg calcium carbonate supplement); 1 tablespoon fish oil; 1 serving of a complete vitamin and mineral supplement formulated for homemade dog food.
Boil or bake the chicken thoroughly until fully cooked, then chop or shred once cooled.
Boil or roast the butternut squash until soft, roughly 20 minutes, then mash lightly.
Combine the chicken and squash, mix in the calcium source evenly, then stir in the fish oil and supplement once cooled.
How Much to Feed
Portion needs depend on your dog’s weight, not just this recipe’s batch size. See the full weight-based feeding table in Homemade Dog Food: The Complete Guide for daily and per-meal amounts by weight.
Start with the table’s figure for your dog’s weight, then adjust based on body condition, checked every couple of weeks.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to four days in an airtight container, or freeze individual portions for longer storage.
Common Mistakes
Using chicken skin or fatty cuts without trimming. This adds unnecessary fat that isn’t accounted for in the recipe’s balance.
Leaving any bone in the chicken. Cooked bone can splinter, so use only boneless cuts.
Skipping the calcium or supplement step. Chicken and a carbohydrate alone aren’t a complete diet without these additions.
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes, thighs work well and have slightly more natural fat, which can reduce how much added fish oil you need.
Is chicken a common allergen for dogs?
It’s one of the more commonly identified triggers, so if your dog has a suspected food allergy, a proper elimination trial should confirm whether chicken is involved before ruling it out or keeping it in.
Can I batch-cook a larger amount and freeze it?
Yes, both recipes scale up easily. Freeze in daily portions for convenient thawing.
The Bottom Line
Both recipes give you a complete, simple starting point using chicken as the protein. For more protein options, head back to Homemade Dog Food Recipes by Protein.
