Description
Prep Time: 15–20 minutes Cook Time: 35–40 minutes Total Time: Approximately 50–60 minutes Yield: Approximately 8 cups, depending on how much liquid you use
Ingredients
For the Dog Food
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1½ lbs), peeled and diced small
- 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
- ½ cup cooked plain white or brown rice
- 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
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.
Remove the chicken to a cutting board, leaving the cooking liquid in the pot. Let it cool just enough to handle, then shred or dice it into small pieces, discarding any gristle or fat.
Add the diced sweet potato and carrots to the cooking liquid. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until they’re fork-tender.
Stir in the green beans and peas and simmer for another 5 minutes, until all the vegetables are completely soft.
Turn off the heat. Stir in the shredded chicken and pumpkin purée. For a softer, more cohesive texture, lightly mash some of the sweet potato against the side of the pot. Add a little water if you’d like a looser consistency.
Let the food cool until it’s no longer warm to the touch before serving, since hot food can burn your dog’s mouth. Spread it in a shallow dish to speed cooling.
Serve a portion appropriate for your dog’s size and regular diet. For small dogs, mash or chop the vegetables more finely.