Homemade Dog Food: Delicious Chicken and Rice for Happy Pups

As a devoted pet parent, you’re always looking for ways to show your furry friend some extra love, and what better way than with a wholesome, Home Made Dog Food Chicken And Rice meal? While often recommended for pups with sensitive tummies, this versatile and nutritious dish can also serve as a delightful special treat for healthy dogs. Crafting your dog’s food at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a meal that’s both delicious and beneficial.

The Benefits of Homemade Chicken and Rice for Your Canine

Chicken and rice is a widely recognized and celebrated meal for dogs, and for good reason. It’s not only incredibly palatable for most canines, even the pickiest eaters, but it also offers significant health advantages. As a treat, it provides a break from regular kibble, adding excitement and variety to their diet. Beyond its appeal as a special meal, home made dog food chicken and rice is a cornerstone of bland diets, making it an excellent choice for soothing an upset stomach. Its simplicity and easily digestible components help calm a distressed digestive system, providing essential nutrients without causing further irritation.

White Rice vs. Brown Rice: Making the Right Choice for Your Dog

When preparing home made dog food chicken and rice, the type of rice you choose is crucial, especially depending on your dog’s health needs. Brown rice is generally a fantastic option for healthy dogs. It’s packed with fiber, which aids in digestion and can help alleviate constipation, and boasts a low glycemic index, making it a good choice for sustained energy release. However, if your canine companion is experiencing an upset stomach or digestive issues, white rice is the recommended choice. White rice has a lower fiber content than brown rice, making it gentler on a sensitive digestive system and easier to digest. For dogs with an upset stomach, a bland diet is key, and white rice fits this requirement perfectly. If your dog is struggling with digestive upset, you might also be interested in learning about what food to give your dog with an upset stomach to ensure they receive the best care.

Crafting Your Home Made Dog Food Chicken and Rice: Ingredients & Variations

The beauty of home made dog food chicken and rice lies in its simplicity and adaptability. This foundational recipe can be easily tailored to your dog’s specific tastes and nutritional requirements.

Essential Ingredients

• Chicken Breast: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which are lean and easy to digest. Cut them into small cubes for even cooking and easier consumption.
• Rice: As discussed, brown rice for healthy dogs or white rice for those with upset stomachs. Wild rice can also be an alternative if preferred.
• Chicken Broth: Use unsalted chicken broth (or water) with no onion or garlic, which can be toxic to dogs.
• Parsley: Curly parsley is not only a good source of vitamins but can also help freshen your dog’s breath.
• Shredded Carrots & Frozen Peas: These add beneficial vitamins and a touch of sweetness. However, they should be omitted if your dog is unwell.

Expanding the Nutritional Profile with Healthy Additions

For healthy dogs, you can significantly enhance the nutritional value and appeal of this home made dog food chicken and rice recipe by incorporating various dog-safe vegetables and other lean proteins.

• Zucchini: Finely chopped or grated zucchini is often a hit, even with picky eaters.
• Sweet Potatoes: Diced or mashed, sweet potatoes add vitamins and a lovely texture.
• Leafy Greens: Finely chopped spinach or kale can boost calcium content and provide essential vitamins.
• Broccoli Florets & Green Beans: Both should be chopped into small, manageable pieces.
• Beets: Diced beets can add color and nutrients.
• Other Meats: Beyond chicken, consider lean ground turkey, salmon, or lean ground beef for added protein and variety. Salmon, in particular, is excellent for skin and coat health.

It’s important to remember that if your dog has sensitivities, such as homemade dog food for allergies and sensitive stomach, always introduce new ingredients slowly and in small amounts. For those looking for other delightful and nutritious homemade options, a chicken and pumpkin dog food recipe is another excellent choice that offers different flavors and benefits.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Home Made Dog Food Chicken and Rice

Making this delicious meal is straightforward and requires minimal effort.

1. Sauté the Chicken: Begin by heating a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the cubed chicken breast.Cubed chicken breast sizzling in a skillet during the initial cooking phase for dog food.Cook for approximately 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through.
2. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the unsalted chicken broth, chosen rice, and chopped parsley into the skillet with the cooked chicken.Chicken, rice, and broth simmering together in a large skillet, forming a delicious meal for dogs.
3. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and cooked through.
4. Add Vegetables: Stir in the shredded carrots and thawed frozen peas until they are warmed through.Cooked chicken and rice mixed with carrots and peas, ready to be served to a dog.
5. Cool and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the home made dog food chicken and rice to cool slightly before serving it to your dog. You can garnish with a little extra fresh parsley for added health benefits and a fresh aroma.Winnie the Labradoodle eagerly waiting to enjoy a bowl of homemade chicken and rice.

This meal is often met with enthusiastic approval, even from the pickiest of pups. Remember to portion appropriately for your dog’s size and dietary needs; a 20-pound dog might enjoy about a cup at a time. The digestive benefits of this simple, human-grade meal can also be noteworthy, often leading to healthy and regular bowel movements for your canine friend.

Special Considerations for Dogs with Upset Stomachs

When your dog isn’t feeling well, a bland diet is paramount for their recovery. In such cases, the home made dog food chicken and rice recipe should be simplified to just plain boiled chicken and white rice. Avoid all vegetables and other add-ins until your dog has fully recovered, as their digestive system needs to focus on healing without additional fiber or complex ingredients.

Instead of sautéing, boil the chicken breasts. Place whole chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover them with enough chicken broth (unsalted, no onion/garlic) or water. Cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once cooked, remove the chicken, let it cool slightly, and then cube or shred it. You can reuse the cooking liquid to prepare the white rice, maintaining a 2:1 liquid-to-rice ratio. Once the rice is cooked, gently mix it with the cubed or shredded chicken and serve it to your dog.

Is Home Made Dog Food Chicken and Rice Suitable for Daily Meals?

While a fantastic treat or a temporary solution for an upset stomach, home made dog food chicken and rice, in its basic form, may not provide all the essential nutrients your dog needs for a balanced daily diet. Store-bought dog foods are formulated and tested to meet specific nutritional profiles for different life stages and breeds. Homemade diets, on the other hand, require careful planning to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

Before making the switch from commercial kibble to a regular homemade diet, it is highly recommended to consult with your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. They can help you formulate a comprehensive meal plan tailored to your dog’s individual needs, taking into account their age, breed, activity level, and any underlying health conditions. The American Kennel Club provides excellent resources on how to choose balanced ingredients for homemade dog food recipes, emphasizing the importance of a vet’s guidance. For dogs with specific dietary requirements, such as those with liver disease, it’s particularly important to consult a vet before making changes to their diet, and you can explore more about homemade food for dogs with liver disease for specialized information.

Boosting Calcium in Your Dog’s Homemade Diet

Calcium is a vital mineral for strong bones and teeth in dogs. While chicken does contain some calcium, incorporating additional sources into your home made dog food chicken and rice can ensure your pup gets adequate amounts, especially if this becomes a more regular part of their diet.

• Salmon: Adding cooked, boneless salmon is a fantastic way to boost calcium and provide beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for skin and coat health.
• Leafy Greens: Finely chopped spinach or kale are good sources of calcium and other vitamins. Always introduce these in small amounts to ensure your dog tolerates them well.
• Dairy (in moderation): Small amounts of plain, unsweetened yogurt or certain cheeses can add calcium, but be mindful of the added fat content and ensure your dog doesn’t have lactose intolerance.
• Calcium Supplements: For a precise and controlled way to add calcium, talk to your vet about appropriate calcium supplement powders that can be mixed directly into their food.

For dogs with other specific health concerns, such as pancreatitis, dietary adjustments are crucial. It’s always best to consult your veterinarian to determine what food can I feed my dog with pancreatitis to ensure their safety and well-being.

A large serving of homemade chicken and rice dog food, with cooking utensils and a leash in the background.

Freezing Homemade Chicken and Rice for Convenience

One of the great advantages of preparing home made dog food chicken and rice is the ability to make a larger batch and freeze portions for future use. This saves time and ensures you always have a healthy meal ready for your pup.

I recommend freezing the chicken and rice in individual, dog-sized portions using freezer-safe plastic bags or small containers. This method allows for easy thawing and prevents food waste. When properly stored, homemade chicken and rice for dogs can remain fresh in the freezer for approximately three months. To use, simply remove a portion from the freezer and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Conclusion

Preparing home made dog food chicken and rice is a wonderful way to offer your beloved canine companion a nutritious and delicious meal, whether as a special treat or as a comforting bland diet during times of upset stomach. The versatility of this recipe allows for various healthy additions, making it a customizable option for different dietary needs and preferences. While beneficial, always remember to consult with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your dog’s regular diet, especially when transitioning to a homemade food plan or managing specific health conditions. We hope your dog enjoys this wholesome, homemade delight! Explore more of our articles for additional insights into caring for your cherished pets.

References

1. PetMD. “Can Dogs Eat Rice?” Accessed November 4, 2025. https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-rice
2. Rover. “Can My Dog Eat Parsley?” Accessed November 4, 2025. https://www.rover.com/blog/can-my-dog-eat-parsley/
3. American Kennel Club. “Homemade Dog Food Recipes: Choosing Balanced Ingredients.” Accessed November 4, 2025. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/homemade-dog-food-recipes-choosing-balanced-ingredients/