This Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice for Dogs is an easy, wholesome meal that’s as close to homemade food as it gets! Loaded with simple ingredients and tailored for your furry friend, this recipe is great for dogs. Plus, making it in the slow cooker means less time in the kitchen and more time for belly rubs!
If you’re a doting pet parent like me, then you know how good it feels to give your fur baby food they love. And there is so much for them to enjoy in this easy dog food recipe.
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Why You and Your Dog Will Love This Recipe
Whether you’re looking for a homemade dog food with chicken and rice recipe to add to your regular rotation or want to spoil your pup once, this is the perfect one! Here’s why:
Easy to Make – The slow cooker does most of the work, so there’s little hands-on time. Just toss everything in, set it, and get back to enjoying time with your dog!
Nutritious and Balanced – This meal provides protein from the chicken, carbs from brown rice, and fiber and vitamins from the veggies, creating a balanced bowl packed with goodness.
Simple and Customizable – This recipe is flexible to fit your dog’s dietary needs. You can swap out ingredients to suit your pup’s preferences, making it as unique as they are.
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients, so you know exactly what’s in every bite your dog enjoys! Here’s a quick list of what you’ll need and note the exact measurements are in the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken – A great source of lean protein to help keep your dog’s muscles strong.
- Brown Rice – Provides slow-burning energy and is gentle on your dog’s tummy.
- Potato – Adds healthy carbs for energy, plus a bit of fiber.
- Carrot – Loaded with vitamins like A and C, carrots bring a natural sweetness to the dish.
- Green Beans – Low-calorie and full of fiber, perfect for supporting a healthy digestive system.
- Kale – Packed with nutrients like vitamin K and antioxidants.
- Water – The liquid for cooking the food.
Ingredient Substitutions
Do you have a dog with special dietary considerations or food allergies, or is a picky eater? Make it your own with these easy swaps:
- Chicken – Try using turkey or lamb for a different protein.
- Brown Rice – Plain white rice, quinoa, or barley work well too.
- Veggies – Add some variety with sweet potato, butternut squash, peas, or spinach.
- Fats – A tablespoon or two of coconut oil or flaxseed oil adds healthy fats.
- Bland Version – For sick dogs, stick to plain chicken, long-grain white rice, and water.
Equipment Needed
Obviously, you’ll need a slow cooker to make this recipe. I’m sure you have measuring cups, a cutting board, and a sharp knife for prepping the ingredients.
How to Make Chicken and Rice Dog Food in a Slow Cooker
This recipe couldn’t be simpler! Here’s what to do:
- Begin by cutting up the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces, and do the same for the potato and carrot. Trim the green beans if they’re whole and chop up the kale.
- Pour the water and rice into the bottom of the slow cooker. This creates a nice base for the other ingredients.
- Layer the chicken, potato, green beans, and carrot on top of the rice mixture, keeping everything evenly spread.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
- Once the time is up, add the chopped kale, stir it in, and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on to soften.
- Allow to cool before serving and watch your pup enjoy!
Serving Size
How much homemade chicken dog food you give your dog can vary depending on many factors including the dog’s size, activity level, and breed. An active breed needs more food. A small dog needs less food than a large dog. A good guide is 1 cup for every 20 pounds of body weight.
How to Store Homemade Dog Food and How Long It Lasts
Let the food cool to room temperature. Place the cooled food in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will last up to 4 days.
For longer storage, place individual portions in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight.
You can serve it cold or warmed slightly in the microwave. Do not heat it until it is hot.
Can people eat this chicken and rice?
Yes, they sure can! Everything in this dish is safe for human consumption. However, it is not seasoned so folks might want to season their serving with salt and pepper.
Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a veterinarian or canine nutritionist. Before starting your dog on homemade food, consult with your veterinarian to ensure it meets their specific dietary needs. This recipe is nutritious and safe but is not intended to be a complete meal replacement. It lacks certain essential vitamins and nutrients that dogs require for a balanced diet.
Transitioning to homemade food will likely necessitate additional nutrient supplements. Always speak with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate foods and supplements for your dog’s breed, weight, age, and health requirements.
More Homemade Dog Food Recipes
Do you want to make some more tasty food for your dog? Try these recipes:
- Chicken Casserole for Dogs
- Lamb Dog Food
- Ground Beef Dog Food
- Ground Chicken Dog Food
- Liver Dog Food
- Pork Dog Food
- Turkey Dog Food
- Venison Dog Food
Find lots of easy recipes for dog food and treats right here on Spoiled Hounds!
Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice for Dogs
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 small-medium potato
- 1 carrot
- 1/2 cup green beans frozen or fresh
- 1 cup brown rice
- 2 3/4 cups water
- 1 cup kale frozen or fresh
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into small pieces. Peel and chop the potato and carrot into small pieces. Cut the green beans into small pieces if they are whole. Chop the kale and reserve for later.
- Add the water and rice to the bottom of the slow cooker. Layer the chicken, potato, green beans, and carrot on top of the rice. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
- After the four hours are up, add the kale and stir in. Place the lid back on the slow cooker and allow the kale to soften for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.
Do dogs need hard crunchy for thier teeth? If so, what do I add for this, that is not store bought?
Crunchy food is good for dog’s teeth. For this recipe you could not cook the carrot and green beans and just add them raw to the dish. You can give raw chicken feet to your dog for a snack. You can also make homemade crunchy dog treats.
I made this recipe for my dog, Toby, because he stopped eating his normal canned dog food since he is 14 years old and suffering from congestive heart failure. The medications he is now on for the rest of his life decrease his appetite. He has suddenly become very picky eater. That said, he liked this slow cooker dish, however, the recipe neglected to include the green beans in the detailed information after listing it as one of the ingredients. Also, there wasn’t enough water called for because it burned the crock pot pretty bad. Lastly, the brown rice didn’t cook very well. It was still quite hard. Next time I’ll try adding more water and precook the brown rice. Toby gobbled it down and that’s what is important, so thank you for posting this recipe.
I’m glad Toby enjoyed the food. It’s tough to deal with a dog that is aging and has medical issues. Thanks for bringing to my attention that I left out when to add the green beans. I’ve corrected the recipe card. I’m not sure why the rice didn’t cook properly because the ratio of rice to water is as it should be. I’ve seen where some people put a layer of parchment paper on top of the food to help keep in the steam. Perhaps give that a try next time.
Maybe try Brown Minute Rice next time. My Rottie is not a big fan of greenbeans, but she loves plain steamed broccoli w/a little fresh lemon juice.
I found the water to be way too much. I did veer off the recipe a bit but the rice, water, veggie, and chicken ratios were still the same. I had to leave the crock pot on high for a couple extra hours to get rid of all the water and then the rice was mush. I’m going to try again with less water and see how that turns out.
Thanks for your feedback! It’s puzzling, some people say there isn’t enough water, and others find there’s too much. The ratio is correct, but slow cooker models, rice brands, and evaporation can all make a difference. I hope your next batch with less water turns out just right for your pup!