Chicken Casserole Dog Food Recipe (2024)

The chicken casserole is an instant fave with dogs and pet parents alike- it’s healthy, tasty, and easy to prepare.

You wouldn’t eat the same grub day in and day out, so why would you expect your pet to do it? While kibble is nutritious and many dogs actually prefer it to wet food, it doesn’t mean that it’s tastier than homemade food. Nothing can compare to mom’s cooking, and the same goes if you’re a dog mom, too. A cooked meal can be a perfect occasional treat for your pampered pooch! Even dogs who are kibble fiends will enjoy a change of pace from time to time, and picky eaters who are not too crazy about their kibble will gobble it all up once you top it with a warm cooked meal.

One of the tried and true classics in my kitchen is the chicken casserole. Not only that dogs go bananas for this dish, but it is also nutritious and wholesome. The recipe has all the ingredients that are dog-safe and beneficial for their health at the same time. While the chicken is the basis of the meal, you can swap it out for any other type of meat, if you have a dog with allergies to poultry. You could also experiment with veggies, and mix and match with foods that are safe for your pooch to eat, such as pumpkin, celery, potatoes, peas or carrots, which is what I’ve used for this recipe. The choice is yours really- have fun with it! Cooking for canines is different than cooking for people- so don’t be intimidated if your cooking skills are not enviable. This wholesome meal prepares quickly and doesn’t need much fussing over to be a success on your first try.

Why Cook Chicken Casserole For My Dog?

Aside from the fact that dogs think chicken tastes scrumdiddlyumptious, it’s good for them too. It’s a great source of protein and essential amino acids that help support their strong, healthy muscles. Chicken is full of Omega 6 fatty acids, and that gives them lots of energy for all the fun adventures with you. Better, those omegas help them have better gut health as they help absorb vitamins and nutrients. The omegas in chicken also are great for skin and hair/coat development.

One of the best (and little known) things about chicken for dogs is that the naturally occurring glucosamine in chicken can help prevent arthritis and give them resilient bones as they age. Not all dogs can handle the chicken protein, but if yours can, it’s a great option and delicious in this casserole!

Chicken Casserole Dog Food Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 boiled chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup brown rice, steamed
• 1 cup, frozen peas and carrots medley, steamed
• 1 celery stock, cut into small pieces
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 boiled potato, cut into bite-size pieces
• 3 tablespoons unsalted chicken broth

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300° F
2. Cut up chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Mind you, bite size is referring to your pooch, so chop it into really small pieces. Place the cut up chicken in a medium-sized saucepan and add water- just enough to cover the top of chicken. Bring water to a boil and bring to a simmer. Cover with a top and let simmer for 30 minutes. While the chicken is cooking, get to the sources of carbs and fiber in this meal.
3. Cook rice in a saucepan or steamer. Use 1.5 cup of water for every 1 cup of rice. When the rice is fluffy and cooked, set aside.
4. In a separate small saucepan, boil one peeled potato in water. Let simmer for 20 minutes or until soft.
5. Once chicken, potato and rice have finished cooking, add all ingredients (including peas, carrots, pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and celery) into a large bowl and stir together. Pour into a casserole dish and place in the oven without a lid for 20 minutes.
6. Take out of the oven at let cool to room temperature before serving. While you might think that a meal with no seasoning is bland and tastes bad, your pooch won’t share your sentiment. Once this chicken casserole is poured into their bowl, you’ll get all the proof you need!

If you want to serve a whole portion to your pooch, you can, but you can also mix it with kibble as a topper that would entice your pooch into eating his regular food. You can also freeze this Chicken Casserole Dog Food Recipe so you can change up his menu throughout the week. Just remember, this is not a daily treat- too much of the good stuff can cause your pet to gain extra weight, and pet obesity is not an issue to be taken lightly. In case you want to switch your pooch completely over to homemade meals, be sure to consult a vet first, to make sure you’re not missing important nutrients or serving inadequate portions.

Amy Tokic

Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).

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