Chicken and rice for dogs is the classic bland meal vets suggest after an upset stomach: plain boiled skinless chicken breast and soft white rice, usually in a 1:2 ratio (one part chicken to two parts rice). It’s gentle, easy to make and most dogs love it. It’s also meant for a few days, not as a long-term diet. Here’s the recipe, how much to feed by weight, and how to switch back to regular food.
Recipe: 1 cup shredded boiled chicken breast + 2 cups cooked white rice, no seasoning • About 210 calories per cup • Feed: small meals, 3-4 times a day, for about 2-5 days • Storage: fridge 3 days, freezer 2 months. Chicken and rice isn’t complete nutrition, so return to your dog’s normal food once stools firm up, and call your vet if signs last more than a day or two.
Table of Contents
Is Chicken and Rice Good for Dogs?
For a short time, yes. Boiled skinless chicken breast is lean and easy to digest, and white rice is low in fiber and gentle on an irritated gut. Together they make a low-fat meal that gives the stomach a rest without leaving your dog hungry. That’s why it’s often recommended for mild diarrhea, vomiting that has settled, or recovery after a stomach bug.
What it isn’t: a complete diet. Chicken and rice lacks enough calcium, several vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals that a dog needs over weeks and months. Fed long term without a nutritionist’s supplements, it can cause deficiencies. Complete foods carry an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement; chicken and rice doesn’t.
Chicken and Rice Dog Food Recipe
Boiled Chicken and Rice for Dogs (Bland Diet)
Ingredients
Method
- Cover the chicken with water, bring to a boil and simmer 12 to 15 minutes until it reaches 165°F (74°C) with no pink inside.
- Remove the chicken and cool it. Keep the cooking water and skim off any fat.
- Cook the rice in the skimmed chicken water or plain water until very soft.
- Shred the chicken into small pieces with two forks.
- Mix 1 part chicken with 2 parts rice and cool to lukewarm before serving.
Notes
Instant Pot version: add the chicken, rinsed rice and 2½ cups water, cook on high pressure for 12 minutes, release, shred the chicken and stir.
Chicken and Rice Ratio: 1:2 or Something Else?
| Ratio (Chicken : Rice) | When It’s Used |
|---|---|
| 1:2 | The standard bland mix for most dogs with mild tummy upset |
| 1:3 | Some vets suggest more rice for dogs that need very low fat |
| 1:1 | Picky eaters or when moving back toward normal food; slightly richer |
Ask your vet which ratio fits your dog, especially if your dog has had pancreatitis or has kidney disease.
How Much Chicken and Rice to Feed a Dog
A 1:2 mix has about 210 calories per cup, based on USDA FoodData Central values. Start with about a third of the full amount on day one, split into several small meals, then work up as your dog improves:
| Dog’s Weight | Full Day (once improving) | Per Meal (3 meals) | Per Meal (4 meals) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~1 1/2 cups | ~1/2 cup | ~1/3 cup |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | ~3 1/4 cups | ~1 cup | ~3/4 cup |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | ~5 1/2 cups | ~1 3/4 cups | ~1 1/3 cups |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | ~7 1/2 cups | ~2 1/2 cups | ~1 3/4 cups |
| 100 lb (45 kg) | ~9 cups | ~3 cups | ~2 1/4 cups |
Our estimates for neutered adult dogs (70 × body weight in kg0.75 × 1.6). Active dogs may need more, and dogs recovering from vomiting should start smaller. For a full day-by-day plan during diarrhea, see what to feed a dog with diarrhea.
How Long Should a Dog Eat Chicken and Rice?
Usually 2 to 5 days. Once stools are firm for a day or two, start mixing your dog’s regular food back in:
| Days After Stools Firm Up | Chicken and Rice | Regular Food |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1-2 | 75% | 25% |
| Days 3-4 | 50% | 50% |
| Days 5-6 | 25% | 75% |
| Day 7 | 0% | 100% |
If your dog keeps needing bland food, or loose stools come back every time you switch, talk to your vet; a sensitive stomach or food intolerance may need a proper diet plan (see our sensitive stomach diet guide).
Variations and Swaps
| Swap | When It Helps |
|---|---|
| Lean ground turkey or white fish instead of chicken | Dogs with a chicken allergy (see ground turkey for dogs) |
| A spoonful of plain pumpkin | Adds soluble fiber that can help firm stools |
| Brown rice instead of white | More fiber for healthy dogs, but harder to digest during an upset |
| Chicken thigh instead of breast | Tastier, but higher in fat; remove skin and visible fat |
| Plain boiled sweet potato instead of rice | Grain-free option; see our sweet potato dog food |
Want to cook for your dog long term? Our dog food recipes with chicken explain how to build complete meals with a nutritionist.
When do I recommend chicken and rice? For a few days after mild stomach upset in an otherwise healthy adult dog.
What ratio? About one part chicken to two parts rice, with no seasoning.
Why not feed it long term? It's missing important nutrients, so switch back to a complete food within a few days.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Chicken and Rice for Dogs: Quick Guide
✓ Do
- Boil skinless chicken breast with no seasoning
- Use soft white rice, about 1:2
- Feed small meals 3-4 times a day
- Switch back to regular food over a week
✕ Don’t
- Add salt, oil, garlic or onion
- Include skin or cooked bones
- Feed it for weeks as a complete diet
- Ignore blood, vomiting or lethargy
Every dog is different. Dogs with pancreatitis, kidney disease or allergies should get their vet’s okay first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chicken and rice good for dogs every day?
Not long term. It’s incomplete, so feeding it for weeks can lead to deficiencies. A nutritionist can balance a homemade recipe if you want to cook daily.
Can I use boiled chicken and rice for dogs with diarrhea?
Yes, for mild cases in otherwise healthy adult dogs. Call your vet if diarrhea lasts more than a day or two or comes with other signs.
Should the chicken and rice be warm or cold?
Serve it lukewarm or at room temperature. Warm food smells more appealing to dogs that don’t feel well, but never serve it hot.
Can I mix chicken and rice with my dog’s kibble?
Yes, that’s exactly how you transition back. Gradually increase the kibble and reduce the chicken and rice over about a week.
Can I use chicken broth?
Only homemade broth from boiling plain chicken, with the fat skimmed. Store-bought broths often contain onion, garlic and salt.
How long does homemade chicken and rice keep?
About 3 days in the fridge, or up to 2 months in the freezer in single portions.
For feeding amounts, labels and more meals, see our dog food guide.
The Bottom Line
Chicken and rice for dogs is a simple, short-term bland diet: boiled skinless chicken breast and soft white rice in about a 1:2 ratio, fed in small meals for a few days before switching back to regular food. It isn’t a complete diet, and worrying signs need a vet, not more rice. Find more feeding guides in our Dog Food section. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central