Chicken is the most popular starting point for homemade dog food: it’s lean, affordable and most dogs love it. Below are two easy dog food recipes with chicken, a chicken, brown rice and garden veggie bowl and a chicken, barley and zucchini stew, with calories per cup and how much to feed by weight. You’ll also see what plain chicken recipes are missing, and how to turn them into complete meals safely.
Recipes: chicken, brown rice and veggie bowl (about 200 kcal per cup), chicken, barley and zucchini stew (about 205 kcal per cup) • Prep + cook: 40–50 minutes • Storage: fridge 3-4 days, freezer 2-3 months. These recipes are great for short-term feeding and toppers. For daily feeding, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist needs to add the right vitamins and minerals.
Table of Contents
Why Most Homemade Chicken Recipes Aren’t Complete
Chicken, rice and vegetables look healthy, and they are, but they don’t cover everything a dog needs. A UC Davis study of 200 homemade dog food recipes found that 95% were short on at least one essential nutrient, with choline, vitamin D, zinc and vitamin E among the common gaps. Calcium is another big one: without bones or a supplement, a chicken-and-rice diet is very low in calcium.
Many recipes online are labeled “vet approved,” but that phrase isn’t regulated. Our guide to homemade chicken dog food recipes that are truly vet approved explains how to tell the difference and how to get a recipe from a veterinary nutritionist.
Recipe 1: Chicken, Brown Rice and Garden Veggie Bowl
Chicken, Brown Rice and Garden Veggie Dog Food Bowl
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the rice in plain water until soft.
- Simmer the chicken in water for 15 to 18 minutes until it reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and cool.
- Simmer the carrots and green beans in the chicken water 8 to 10 minutes until tender. Drain.
- Shred or dice the chicken and mix everything together.
Notes
The batch totals about 1,390 calories, roughly 200 per cup.
Recipe 2: Chicken, Barley and Zucchini Stew
A soft, comforting stew that’s easy to chew for older dogs.
Chicken, Barley and Zucchini Stew for Dogs
Ingredients
Method
- Simmer the chicken cubes in the water for 10 minutes.
- Add the zucchini and cooked barley and simmer 10 more minutes.
- Beat the egg and stir it in for the last 2 minutes until fully cooked.
- Cool, and check the chicken has reached 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Notes
The batch makes about 5 cups at roughly 205 calories per cup. Slow cooker version: put the raw chicken, rinsed dry barley, zucchini and 3 cups of water in the slow cooker on low for 6 hours, then stir in a cooked, chopped egg.
How Much to Feed: Dog Food Recipes With Chicken
| Dog’s Weight | Est. Daily Calories | Rice and Veggie Bowl (200 kcal/cup) | Barley Stew (205 kcal/cup) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | ~350 kcal | ~1 3/4 cups | ~1 2/3 cups |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | ~690 kcal | ~3 1/2 cups | ~3 1/3 cups |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | ~1,160 kcal | ~5 3/4 cups | ~5 2/3 cups |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | ~1,580 kcal | ~7 3/4 cups | ~7 3/4 cups |
| 100 lb (45 kg) | ~1,960 kcal | ~9 3/4 cups | ~9 1/2 cups |
Our estimates using USDA FoodData Central values for a typical neutered adult (70 × body weight in kg0.75 × 1.6), split into 2 meals. Homemade food is bulky, so dogs eat more cups than with kibble. Weigh your dog every 2 weeks and adjust by about 10% as needed. Using it as a topper? Keep it to about 10% of the day’s calories.
How to Make a Chicken Recipe Complete
- Get a recipe from a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. You can find one through the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, or ask your vet about online nutritionist-run recipe services.
- Use the supplement they specify. Most complete homemade diets need a vitamin-mineral supplement plus a calcium source. Human multivitamins aren’t a substitute; see our dog multivitamin guide.
- Add the right fat. Chicken breast is very lean; nutritionists often add a measured amount of oil for essential fatty acids.
- Weigh ingredients in grams and don’t swap ingredients freely; small changes add up (“diet drift”).
- Recheck yearly or when your dog’s weight, age or health changes.
Switching to Homemade Chicken Dog Food
Mix it into your dog’s current food over 7-10 days: about a quarter for the first two days, then half, then three quarters, then all homemade. Watch stool quality; homemade food is often more digestible, so stools may be smaller. For a gentle short-term option during an upset stomach, use plain chicken and rice for dogs instead.
More homemade ideas: our homemade dog food recipes (including a chicken, oats and pumpkin bowl), sweet potato dog food and lamb and rice dog food.
What's missing from most homemade chicken recipes? Usually calcium, plus vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, vitamin E and zinc.
Can owners cook chicken meals every day? Yes, if a veterinary nutritionist balances the recipe with the right supplements.
Kitchen safety tips? Cook chicken fully, never feed cooked bones, and avoid onion, garlic and seasoning.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Homemade Chicken Dog Food: Quick Guide
✓ Do
- Cook chicken to 165°F
- Weigh ingredients and portions
- Get a nutritionist’s recipe for daily feeding
- Switch over 7-10 days
✕ Don’t
- Feed bones, skin or fat trimmings
- Add garlic, onion or salt
- Rely on chicken, rice and veggies alone long term
- Trust every “vet approved” label online
Every dog is different. Puppies and dogs with health conditions need recipes designed for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I feed my dog homemade chicken food every day?
Yes, if the recipe has been balanced by a veterinary nutritionist with the right supplements. Unbalanced chicken recipes can cause deficiencies over time.
Is chicken thigh or breast better for homemade dog food?
Breast is leaner; skinless thigh has more flavor and fat. Either works in a balanced recipe, but lean breast is better for dogs that need low fat.
Can I use chicken liver?
Small amounts can be part of a balanced recipe, but liver is very rich in vitamin A, so only use it in the amount a nutritionist specifies.
Can I mix homemade chicken food with kibble?
Yes. Many owners use a little as a topper. Keep it to about 10% of calories, or reduce the kibble so the total stays the same.
What vegetables are best with chicken?
Carrots, green beans, zucchini, pumpkin and spinach are good choices. Avoid onions, garlic, leeks and chives, which are toxic to dogs.
How long does homemade chicken dog food last?
3-4 days in the fridge, and 2-3 months in the freezer in airtight portions.
For feeding amounts, labels and more meals, see our dog food guide.
The Bottom Line
Dog food recipes with chicken are easy to make: lean chicken breast, a whole grain like brown rice or barley, and dog-safe vegetables. They’re great for short-term feeding and toppers, but for everyday meals, have a board-certified veterinary nutritionist balance the recipe so your dog gets every nutrient it needs. Find more 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.
- ucdavis.edu — UC Davis study of 200 homemade dog food recipes
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central
- acvn.org — American College of Veterinary Nutrition