Name: Homemade Chicken and Rice Dog Food
Ingredients: 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast; 1 cup uncooked plain white rice; 1 cup diced carrots, in small pieces; 1 cup chopped green beans; ½ cup peas, fresh or frozen; ½ cup pumpkin purée (100% pure pumpkin); About 4 cups water, plus more as needed; ¼ cup cooked sweet potato, mashed; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley; 1 cooked egg, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed; Fish oil, only if appropriate for your dog and dosed according to your veterinarian or the product directions

Description

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35–40 minutes Total Time: Approximately 50–55 minutes Yield: Approximately 8 cups, depending on how much liquid you use

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dog Food

1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup uncooked plain white rice
1 cup diced carrots, in small pieces
1 cup chopped green beans
½ cup peas, fresh or frozen
½ cup pumpkin purée (100% pure pumpkin)
About 4 cups water, plus more as needed

Optional Add-Ins

¼ cup cooked sweet potato, mashed
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
1 cooked egg, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
Fish oil, only if appropriate for your dog and dosed according to your veterinarian or the product directions

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

Place the chicken breast and about 4 cups of water in a large pot. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is white throughout with no pink inside and the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C). Don’t add salt, oil, onion, garlic, or seasoning.

Step 2: Shred the Chicken

Remove the chicken to a cutting board, leaving the cooking liquid in the pot. Let the chicken cool just enough to handle, then shred or dice it into small, bite-appropriate pieces. Discard any bits of gristle or fat.

Step 3: Cook the Rice and Carrots

Add the rice and diced carrots to the cooking liquid in the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is very soft. If the pot starts to look dry before the rice is tender, add a splash of water.

Step 4: Add the Remaining Vegetables

Stir in the green beans and peas and simmer for another 5 minutes, until all the vegetables are completely tender.

Step 5: Combine

Turn off the heat. Stir in the shredded chicken and pumpkin purée until everything is evenly mixed. Add a little water if you’d like a looser, softer consistency.

Step 6: Cool Completely

Let the food cool until it’s no longer warm to the touch before serving. Hot food can burn your dog’s mouth. Spread it out in a shallow dish to speed cooling.

Step 7: Portion and Serve

Serve a portion appropriate for your dog’s size and regular diet. For small dogs, mash or chop the vegetables more finely.