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Home » Homemade Dehydrated Chicken Jerky for Dogs

Homemade Dehydrated Chicken Jerky for Dogs

Renee Dobbs · July 8, 2021 · 7 Comments

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homemade chicken jerky treats for dogs in a bowl and on a dehydrator rack
raw chicken breasts and a bowl of homemade chicken jerky treats for dogs

Homemade chicken jerky for dogs is a chewy and high-protein treat for your pet. If your dog loves to chew on things, then they will really enjoy this savory snack.

Dehydrated chicken jerky dog treats made at home are budget-friendly and so much better than store-bought. In fact, they are so easy to make, that you’ll be able to make them whenever you run out.

Plus, these chicken jerky treats for dogs are shelf-stable too! So, make a big batch for your furry friend and give them a treat that will fuel their muscles (and entertain their mouths).

homemade chicken jerky treats for dogs in a bowl

FYI – This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table Of Contents
  1. Why These Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats are the Best
  2. Chicken Jerky for Dogs Recipe Ingredients
  3. Is Chicken Jerky Safe for Dogs
  4. How long do dehydrated dog treats last?
  5. Serving Size
  6. Equipment Needed
  7. How to Make Chicken Jerky for Dogs
  8. How to Store Jerky
  9. Can you eat dog chicken jerky?
  10. More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
  11. Homemade Chicken Jerky for Dogs

Why These Dehydrated Chicken Dog Treats are the Best

Some dogs just love to chew, don’t they? If you have a pup that is a muncher, then dog chicken jerky treats are perfect for them. When you follow this recipe, you’ll turn regular chicken breast into a snack that resembles leather.

Plus, jerky for dogs is savory and almost salty without adding extra salt. Remember, dogs are very sensitive to sodium. Thankfully, this jerky is so delicious it doesn’t need any extra salt!

It’s also really good for your dog’s teeth, too! As dogs gnaw on the leathery meat, it removes plaque and tartar build-up, both are things that could lead to cavities later on.

If you have ever looked at the price of jerky in the store, you’ll be so happy you found this recipe! Chicken breast is so much cheaper than store-bought jerky. And it has way less salt too.

Benefits of Chicken

Chicken dog treats are so good for your pet because there are lots of health benefits of chicken.

The biggest benefit is that chicken provides your dog protein that they use for energy and to build lean muscles. What you might not know is that chicken also has Omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids will help your dog have a shiny coat and healthy skin.

Chicken also has glucosamine which helps them have strong, healthy bones.

It really is an overall healthy type of meat that you can feel good about giving your dog.

Chicken Jerky for Dogs Recipe Ingredients

There’s just one ingredient in these amazing homemade chicken dog treats. Yep, one simple thing you get all the time:

  • Chicken

Good ‘ole boneless, skinless chicken breasts. And you can get organic chicken if you want to kick it up another healthy notch.

raw chicken breasts on a plate and cutting board

Is Chicken Jerky Safe for Dogs

Before I show you how to make jerky for dogs, I want to answer one very important question. How safe is it?

For the most part, this is a very safe treat. There are always variables, so this is what you should watch out for.

  • Dog Allergy – some dogs cannot tolerate chicken because they are allergic to it.
  • Choking Hazard – always watch your dog when you give them jerky or any similar treat.

So, is dehydrated chicken safe for dogs? Yes, it is. As long as your dog doesn’t have an allergy to chicken and they don’t normally choke on things, this should be just fine for them.

homemade dehydrated chicken jerky treats for dogs on a plate

How long do dehydrated dog treats last?

These dehydrated chicken treats will last from 1 week to 1 month, depending on the level of dryness.

  • Soft, chewy jerky has more moisture and is generally good for about a week.
  • Crispy, almost crunchy jerky with little moisture can be good for weeks.

Serving Size

How much DIY dog jerky you give your pet depends on what else they ate that day. This is a pretty low-calorie snack, but it is still a snack. This should not be their main source of calories.

The serving size also depends on your dog’s size. Smaller dogs need fewer calories than larger dogs.

Generally, I would say that about 2 pieces of jerky is one serving. Give your pet as much of this jerky as you would any other rare or special treat.

Equipment Needed

You may have the kitchen items you need to make these dehydrated chicken dog treats. But just in case, here’s what you need:

  • A plastic dishwasher-safe cutting board is best for raw meat.
  • A good, sharp chef’s knife to cut through the chicken.
  • Food Dehydrator to dehydrate the chicken.
a bowl of homemade dehydrated chicken jerky treats for dogs

How to Make Chicken Jerky for Dogs

These are the recipe steps and some photos of the process for making the dehydrated dog treats. I hope they help you make this healthy dog jerky recipe!

You can scroll down to the bottom of this article for a printable recipe card.

  1. Place chicken breasts on a plate with space between them (not touching each other).
  1. Place the chicken in the freezer for about an hour or until semi-frozen.
  1. Remove the chicken from the freezer and cut the chicken into thin strips.
  1. Place the chicken strips on dehydrator trays.
raw chicken breast strips on a dehydrator rack
  1. Dehydrate at 170 degrees for 4 to 5 hours or until the jerky is fully dry and has a slight snap when broken.
chicken jerky for dogs on a dehydrator rack

How to Store Jerky

Store the chicken jerky dog treats in an airtight container for dog treats. A dog treat jar is best for dog jerky storage so it is not mistaken for jerky made for people. Here are some cute ones on Amazon:

  • Metal Farmhouse Style Dog Treats Jar
  • Rae Dunn Good Dog Ceramic Dog Treats Canister
  • Clear Plastic Paw Print Air-tight Container

Can you eat dog chicken jerky?

Yep, you sure can eat these dried chicken dog treats! It is safe for human consumption. Since they are not flavored, you probably won’t like them as much as chicken jerky made for people. I suggest making Honey Soy Chicken Jerky with a little kick of heat from chili garlic sauce.

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a pile of dehydrated chicken jerky for dogs

More Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Want to make some more tasty treats for your dog? If you enjoyed this homemade jerky for dogs then I have some more treats you should check out. Here are a few different types of dog treats to make:

  • 3 Ingredient Dog Treats
  • Banana Dog Treats
  • Blueberry Dog Treats
  • Homemade Dog Donuts
  • Homemade Dog Treats with Rolled Oats
  • Liver Dog Treats
  • Sweet Potato Dog Chews

Want to get the best store-bought dog treats instead of making homemade ones? Check out these favorite dog treats on my Amazon dog treats ideas list.

homemade dehydrated chicken jerky treats for dogs in a bowl
Print Pin
4.5 from 4 votes

Homemade Chicken Jerky for Dogs

It's easy to make dehydrated chicken dog treats with this recipe.
Course Dog Treats
Cuisine Pet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Freezing 1 hour
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Servings 60
Calories 9kcal
Author Renee Dobbs

Equipment

  • Food Dehydrator

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

Instructions

  • Remove chicken breasts from the package and place them on a plate without the sides of the chicken touching each other.
  • Place the chicken in the freezer for approximately 1 hour or until semi-frozen.
  • Remove the chicken from the freezer and using a knife, make ⅛ – ¼ inch thick slices going against the grain or with the grain for slightly chewier treats.
  • Place the chicken strips on dehydrator trays being sure that the pieces are not touching each other.
  • Dehydrate at 170 degrees for approximately 4 to 5 hours or until the chicken is fully dry and has a slight snap when broken.

Notes

Store chicken jerky treats in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 9kcal | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 28mg | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

Filed Under: Dog Treats

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. nancy pavlisko says

    February 1, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    I cannot find a dehydrator that can go to 170 degrees. The highest I’ve seen only go to 165 degrees. How crucial is the temp?

    Reply
    • Renee says

      February 1, 2022 at 6:02 pm

      165 degrees would be fine. Just watch it and make sure it doesn’t get too dried out.

      Reply
  2. Deborah says

    February 1, 2022 at 9:36 pm

    I just got a 3 later dehydrater can I make all 3 layers

    Reply
  3. Lauren says

    April 23, 2022 at 12:47 am

    The recipe doesn’t mention cooking the chicken. Do you dehydrate the chicken raw?

    Reply
    • Renee Dobbs says

      April 23, 2022 at 6:02 am

      Yes, you dehydrate raw chicken.

      Reply
  4. Linda says

    May 11, 2022 at 5:25 pm

    Can I dehydrate in an oven since I don’t have a dehydrator????

    Reply
    • Renee Dobbs says

      May 12, 2022 at 9:55 am

      Yes. Place the raw chicken strips on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet. Set the oven to 170°F or the lowest temperature setting. Cook for 2 hours or until the chicken is fully dried.

      Reply

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faces of a woman and two whippets. Hey! I'm Renee and these are my hounds, Luke and Milo. I love dogs and created this website to celebrate them. Here you can find dog tips, products, and info. Read more about Spoiled Hounds.

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