If your pup loves savory, meaty treats, you’re going to make their day with these homemade chicken meatballs for dogs! They’re packed with wholesome ingredients, super easy to make, and versatile enough to serve as a treat, meal, or even a sneaky way to give meds. Plus, you can bake them, air fry them, or pan fry them – whatever works best for you!
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Why You and Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
There’s a lot to love about these healthy little meatballs, both for you and your furry best friend! These are some of the top reasons this recipe is sure to be a favorite:
Easy to make three ways. Whether you prefer to oven bake, air fry, or pan fry, you can whip up these meatballs with minimal fuss.
Made with wholesome ingredients. Real chicken, fresh veggies, and oats. You’ll feel good knowing exactly what’s going into every bite.
Simple to customize. Swap out the protein or veggies to fit your dog’s tastes or dietary needs!
Good for diabetic dogs. Each meatball has only 2 grams of carbohydrates and 0.2 grams of sugar, making them a great low-carb, low-sugar treat option. (Full nutrition details are available in the recipe card below!)
Perfect for meals or treats. Whether you’re spoiling your dog with a special treat or using them as part of their meal plan, these meatballs are a tasty choice.
Double as pill pockets. Need to sneak in some medication? Push a pill into a cooked meatball, your pup will be too busy enjoying the flavor to notice!
Great for training treats. You can easily make mini meatballs for training rewards by using a smaller scoop!
Ingredients
These meatballs are made with common ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Ground Chicken is a great source of protein
- Egg is a binder for meatballs and adds extra protein
- Plain Yogurt adds moisture and has healthy fatty acids
- Quick Oats are full of fiber and help hold everything together
- Carrots are a naturally sweet veggie loaded with beta-carotene
- Zucchini adds moisture and nutrients
- Parsley adds flavor and is a natural breath freshener
- Rosemary has an aromatic punch and offers antioxidant properties
- Fresh Mint adds a burst of freshness (and more breath-freshening goodness!).
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
This recipe is super flexible! Here are some ideas to customize your meatballs:
Protein swaps: You can substitute ground chicken with bison, lamb, venison, turkey, or lean ground beef.
Veggie swaps: Swap the carrot or zucchini for dog-safe veggies like peas, green beans, or mashed sweet potato.
Yogurt swap: Use unsweetened coconut milk instead.
Oats tip: You can make quick oats by pulsing old-fashioned rolled oats in a blender or food processor for a few seconds to chop them into smaller pieces.
How to Make Chicken Meatballs for Dogs
These meatballs are quick to prepare and can be cooked in three different ways. Choose your favorite method:
Oven Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the ground chicken, egg, and yogurt.
- Add the oats, carrot, zucchini, parsley, rosemary, and mint. Mix well.
- Roll heaping tablespoons of the mixture into balls.
- Place the balls on the baking sheet.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, or until browned and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Air Fryer Method
- Prepare the raw meatballs as directed above.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and line the basket with parchment paper.
- Place the meatballs in the basket, leaving space between them. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry for about 10 minutes, or until browned and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Pan Fried Method
- Prepare the raw meatballs as directed above.
- Heat 1–2 tablespoons of coconut oil or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the meatballs in batches, turning to brown on all sides, until they are fully cooked (165°F inside).
Recipe Tips for Success
Use a small cookie scoop (the #60 size that’s 1 tablespoon) to make meatballs the same size so they cook evenly.
Adjust size as needed. Make mini meatballs for training treats or larger ones for a meal, just adjust the cooking time.
Don’t overcrowd when cooking. Leave space between the meatballs, especially when air frying or pan frying, so they cook properly.
Check doneness. Always make sure the meatballs reach an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
Serving Size
How many meatballs your dog can enjoy depends on their size, breed, and activity level:
- As treats: Meatballs should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
- As a meal: A general guideline is about 1 cup of food per 20 pounds of body weight.
Always start with small amounts when introducing new food to your dog to make sure they tolerate it well. And as always, consult your vet for personalized portion recommendations if needed.
Are you looking for meatballs to help with weight gain? Check out my Satin Balls recipe to make meatballs for dogs to gain weight.
How to Store the Meatballs and How Long They Last
Refrigerator: Store cooled meatballs in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet with space between them and freeze for about 2 hours until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Reheating: You can slightly warm the meatballs in the microwave or oven before serving, just make sure they’re not too hot!
Can people eat these meatballs for dogs?
Yes! Every ingredient in these meatballs is safe for humans. They’re simple, savory, and healthy. If you’re planning to sneak one for yourself, you might want to sprinkle on a little salt and pepper first since they’re made plain for pups. Think of them like lightly seasoned mini chicken patties!
More Dog Treat Recipes
Want to make more goodies for your dog? Check these out:
- Air Fryer Apple Banana Dog Treats
- Bacon Dog Treats
- Bison Meatballs
- Liver Dog Treats
- Meatloaf for Dogs
- Pizza for Dogs
- Turkey Meatballs
- Waffles for Dogs
Find lots of meaty dog treat recipes here on Spoiled Hounds!
Chicken Meatballs For Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 pound Ground Chicken
- 1 Egg
- 2 tablespoons Plain Yogurt
- ½ cup Quick Oats
- ½ cup Grated Carrot
- ½ cup Grated Zucchini
- 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dried Rosemary
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Mint
Instructions
Oven Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine ground chicken, egg and yogurt in a large bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients and combine well.
- Roll a heaping tablespoon of the mixture into a ball. You can use a small cookie scoop for portioning.
- Repeat making balls with the remaining meat mixture.
- Place the balls on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until browned and the internal temperature is 165°F.
Air Fryer Method
- Prepare the raw meatballs as stated for the oven method.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper.
- Place the raw meatballs in the air fryer basket with space between them. You will need to cook the meatballs in batches.
- Air fry for 10 minutes or until browned and the internal temperature is 165°F.
while I have not tried making them yet, they look easy and yummy. As soon as I go to the store, i will get some coconut milk and plain greek yogurt for her and make her a banana pnut butter treats either the shake or the frozen cubes and will also try so meatballs. glad to see I can use lamb as she cant have chicken (allergy) or beef (too much fat for her). I give her a little lamb from the can but would love to go home made and organic for her. While it wont help damage that has been done, it may give her a better quality of life (she’s now 13). She is a mixed beagle hound. Thank you for your recipes!
I have 3ea 15lb good ‘ol American dogs.
They ate ’em all as fast as I could hand ’em out.
Never seen such a popular treat with these doggies.
ps I’m a 72y/o retired and just learning how to cook.
Oh fantastic! I’m so glad your dogs loved the meatballs. And kudos to you for learning how to cook in your retirement.
Thank you so much for this recipe. It’s the fourth time I have made them, and it won’t be the last. Love your “no nonsense,” easy to understand and absolutely spot on approach to health-wise ingredients used, and instructions to bake. All questions answered before anyone need ask. Dog and I both love the taste (I’ve tried them too). It’s the only dog meatball recipe I will ever make.
Renee,
I’ve been looking at various recipes for homemade dog foods. Most specifically say to not use “quick oats”. They say to use old fashioned oats. Do you know why?
Thanks, Sandy
Many recipes recommend old fashioned oats because they are less processed and tend to hold their texture better in recipes like meatballs or baked treats. Quick oats are simply cut smaller and steamed longer, so they cook faster and can make the mixture a bit softer. Nutritionally they’re very similar, so either one will work.
Hi just made today cooling right now seemed very soft little hard to make into balls followed receipe exactly haven’t tried yet look good.
The mixture can be a bit soft when forming the meatballs. If it feels too soft to handle next time, you can chill the mixture for a bit or add a small amount of extra oats to make it easier to shape.
My dog loves them can I just freeze them once they cooled in freezer bags. I make them small he has bad teeth.
Yes, you can freeze them once they’re cooled. Freezer bags work great.