Ingredients
For the Chicken Meatballs
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground chicken
- ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup pumpkin purée (100% pure pumpkin)
- ½ cup finely shredded carrots
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup cooked peas, lightly mashed
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1–2 tablespoons water or dog-safe low-sodium chicken broth, if needed
Optional Add-Ins
- ¼ cup cooked sweet potato, mashed
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped green beans
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped zucchini
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- A small amount of fish oil, only if appropriate for your dog and correctly dosed
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place about half of the rolled oats in a blender or food processor and pulse them into a coarse oat flour, leaving the remaining oats whole for a little extra texture.
Add the ground chicken, oat flour, remaining oats, pumpkin purée, shredded carrots, egg, peas, and parsley to a large bowl. Mix gently until everything is evenly combined. The mixture should be moist but firm enough to hold its shape. If it feels too wet, add a little more oat flour. If it’s too dry, add water or dog-safe broth a tablespoon at a time.
Scoop small portions and gently roll them into approximately 1-inch (2.5-cm) meatballs. Make smaller bites for little dogs or training rewards.
Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Bake for approximately 18 to 22 minutes, or until completely cooked through and the centers reach 165°F (74°C). Because this recipe uses raw ground chicken, checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to confirm the bites are fully and safely cooked.
Remove the pup bites from the oven and allow them to cool completely before serving.
For small dogs, cut the meatballs into smaller pieces rather than serving them whole. Always supervise your dog while eating treats.