How to Boil Chicken for Your Dog

Can dogs eat chicken, and is it good for them? The answer to both questions is yes! Whether your pup has a bit of an upset stomach or you’re just looking for a healthy food to add to your dog’s diet from time to time, boiled chicken is a great option. It’s filled with protein, vitamins, and minerals, and it’s gentle enough to feed to most dogs with sensitive stomachs.^{[1]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source} Plus, it's super easy to make! We've got everything you need to know about how to boil the chicken and how to feed it to your dog, so read on.

Boiling Chicken for Your Dog

Set a few skinless and boneless chicken breasts or thighs in a pot. Cover the chicken entirely with water and boil the chicken for 12-15 minutes. Then, remove the chicken, let it cool, and shred it with forks to make the pieces small enough for your dog to eat.

Ingredients

Boiled Chicken

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Enough water to cover the chicken

Section 1 of 4:

Cooking the Chicken Breasts

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1
Place 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into a medium-size pot. Spread the chicken breasts out along the bottom of the pot, so they're not overlapping each other.^{[2]
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Research source} If you don't have a pot large enough to do this, a deep, covered skillet works as well.
- If you don’t have chicken breast, you can use chicken thighs instead, as long as they are boneless and skinless as well.^{[3]
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- Avoid feeding your dog chicken with additives, if possible, as they may be harmful to your dog's health.
- Make sure that your chicken is completely defrosted if it was frozen. The frozen meat will affect the cooking time of the chicken and could potentially cause the meat to cook unevenly. If it is still frozen, finish defrosting the chicken in the refrigerator before cooking it.
- Always check to make sure that the chicken you’re using is fresh. If the chicken is slimy, sticky, discolored, has a filmy layer on top, or has an unpleasant odor, it’s probably gone bad, so you shouldn’t feed it to your dog.^{[4]
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2
Fill the pot with water until all of the chicken breasts are submerged. Add approximately 3 in (7.6 cm) of water to the pot, or more if needed to cover the chicken breasts. Just be careful not to fill your pot with so much water that it bubbles over while cooking. Keep about 2 in (5.1 cm) of head space to avoid this.
- Do not add any additional seasonings to the chicken, as those may cause your dog to have an upset stomach. Keep the chicken bland, and then pair it with other dog-safe foods later if you want.^{[5]
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3
Cover the pot and boil the chicken for 12-15 minutes over high heat. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Then, continue to cook the chicken for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (73.8°C).^{[6]
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- Remove one of the chicken breasts from the pot and cut into it to make sure it is thoroughly cooked after 12 minutes.
- If the inside is still pink or gummy, return the chicken to the pot and continue to cook the 3 breasts for approximately 1-2 more minutes.
4
Place the chicken breasts onto a plate and shred them into small pieces. Use two forks to break the meat apart—it should shred pretty easily. Make sure to break the chicken up into pieces that are small enough for your dog to chew and swallow safely.^{[7]
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The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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- Keep your dog’s size in mind when shredding the meat. Smaller dogs may require the meat to be broken into much smaller pieces than larger dogs would.
5
Let the chicken cool off for 10-15 minutes. Allow the chicken to rest on the counter until it is cool to touch. Once cool, you can either give some of the chicken to your dog as a quick snack, or pair the chicken with other dog-safe foods to make it a meal.
- Speed up the cooling process by placing the chicken in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
6
Store leftover chicken in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Place leftover chicken into a glass or plastic container that has a tight seal. Then, store it in the refrigerator, and feed it to your dog over the next 3-4 days.^{[8]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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- Alternatively, freeze the boiled chicken in a sealed container for 2-6 months and save it for the next time your dog has an upset stomach. Then, simply defrost the chicken in the refrigerator before feeding it to your dog.

Section 2 of 4:

Serving Boiled Chicken to Your Dog

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Give your dog plain boiled chicken as a small treat. Use the chicken as a training supplement, or simply give your dog the chicken as a stand-alone treat. Just be careful not to overfeed your dog with the boiled chicken, or you may spoil their appetite for their regular food.^{[9]
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- If using the boiled chicken as a training tool, feed your dog single pieces of shredded chicken when they succeed at a task.
- When using the boiled chicken as a stand-alone treat, portion appropriately to the size of your dog. Think about how much dog food you usually give your dog for a meal, and scale the chicken into smaller portions based on that.
2
Mix boiled chicken with dog food to make the meal more enticing. Your dog will enjoy the added flavor to the dog food and will become fuller on the extra protein. Just be careful not to overfeed your dog in the process. Reduce the amount of dog food you normally give your dog when adding the chicken.^{[10]
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- Try to break up the normal meal into a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio. For example, if you normally give your dog 1 cup (224 g) of dog food for dinner, then only give your dog 2/3 cup (149.3 g) of dog food and 1/3 cup (41.7 g) of chicken, or 3/4 cup (168 g) of dog food and 1/4 cup (31.25 g) of chicken.
- The amount of food you should normally give your dog depends entirely on their weight and the amount of exercise they get. If you’re not sure how much food you should be feeding your pet, check in with your veterinarian for guidance.
3
Add shredded chicken to white rice to settle an upset stomach. Prepare 1 cup (180 g) uncooked, white rice as you normally would—whether that be in a pot on the stove or a rice cooker. Then, mix some of the shredded chicken in with the rice, and allow it to fully cool before feeding it to your dog.
- Proportion the rice to chicken in a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio. Pair 2 cups (400 g) of cooked rice with 1 cup (125 g) of cooked chicken, or 3 cups (600 g) of cooked rice with 1 cup (125 g) of cooked chicken.
- To subtly flavor the rice, use the chicken broth produced by the boiled chicken to cook the rice. Do not use the store-bought chicken broth to cook the rice, as it may contain ingredients, like onions, that could be harmful to your dog.^{[11]
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- Be aware that brown rice is harder for your dog to digest. If your dog has a sensitive or upset stomach, stick to white rice.^{[12]
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  The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.
  
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4
Supplement the chicken and rice with canned pumpkin or yogurt. Use canned pumpkin or non-fat, plain yogurt to regulate your dog’s digestive system. The pumpkin is high in fiber and the yogurt is a natural probiotic that will be gentle on your dog’s stomach.^{[13]
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Research source} Both will add a moist texture to the meal, as well.
- To a 1/2 cup (100 g) of cooked white rice and 1/4 cup (31.25 g) of chicken, add 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 mL) of yogurt or 1/4 cup (56.25 g) of canned pumpkin. Mix the ingredients together, and portion as needed to feed it to your dog.
Unless your dog has a digestive issue like an upset stomach, refrain from feeding it boiled chicken more than twice a week. This will keep your dog from developing picky eating habits or becoming reliant on the chicken.^{[14]
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EXPERT TIP

Brian Bourquin, DVM
Veterinarian
Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

Brian Bourquin, DVM
Veterinarian

Be careful not to give your dog too much chicken. A lot of well-meaning owners add too much chicken to their dog’s food, which can make them picky. If they’re not eating and you come along and add something yummier to their meal, they’re learning to not eat their regular food because something yummier is coming.

Section 3 of 4:

The Benefits of Feeding Chicken to Your Dog

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Chicken is a good source of nutrients for your dog. Plain boiled chicken contains essential vitamins, minerals, fats, amino acids, and protein. If you feed your dog commercial dog food, they’re likely already getting all the nutrients they need, but chicken can be a healthy choice if you’re looking for a special treat to give them.^{[15]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
2
Chicken is a mild food that’s easy on most dogs’ stomachs. Boiled chicken is pretty bland, which means that it’s a great choice for dogs who have an upset stomach. It’s easily digestible, and you can also pair it with other bland foods like plain white rice to bulk up the meal.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
3
Chicken can be good for dogs who have lost their appetite. Most pups see chicken as an incredibly tasty treat. Because of this, chicken can be a great incentive to get a dog to eat when they’ve had a decrease in appetite.^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source} However, if your dog experiences a sudden decrease in appetite, you should always take them to the vet, too.
- “There could be a reason for this, including anything from pancreatitis to dental disease…So a dog who’s been eating his kibble all along who suddenly stops, I’d want to make sure there’s nothing medical going on,” veterinarian Brian Bourquin explains.^{[18]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Brian Bourquin, DVM
  Veterinarian
  
  Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.}
4
Boiled chicken is super easy to make. To whip up this tasty treat, all you need to do is place some boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs in a pot, cover them with water, and boil until they’re cooked through. When it comes to cooking dog food, it doesn’t get much easier than that!^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}

Section 4 of 4:

FAQs About Feeding Chicken to Your Dog

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What is the right kind of chicken to feed your dog? Not all parts of a chicken are safe to feed your dog. The skin, for example, has a higher fat content, so it’s more likely to upset your dog’s stomach. Cooked chicken bones also splinter easily, which can cause your dog to choke, or even puncture their gastrointestinal tract. Because of this, it’s best to feed your dog chicken breast or thighs that are boneless and skinless.^{[20]
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Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
2
Can you add extra seasonings to your dog’s boiled chicken? No, you shouldn’t add any seasoning to your dog’s chicken. This includes salt, spices, butter, or oils. These ingredients aren’t safe for your dog to eat and can irritate their stomach, so steer clear of them. Plain boiled chicken is all they need!^{[21]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}
3
Can dogs eat raw chicken? Most experts recommend only feeding cooked chicken to your dog, since raw chicken carries the risk of salmonella or bacterial infection. However, there is a growing movement of dog owners who believe in feeding their pets raw food diets, including raw chicken. Ultimately, it’s always best to talk to your veterinarian if you want to make any changes to your dog’s diet. They’ll be able to help you come up with a plan that’s safe and nutritious for your pup.^{[22]
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Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}

Boiled Chicken for Dogs Recipes

Sample Boiled Chicken Recipe for Dogs

Sample Chicken and Vegetable Stew Recipe for Dogs

Expert Q&A

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Question

Can I feed my dog boiled chicken every day?

Brian Bourquin, DVM
Veterinarian
Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.

Brian Bourquin, DVM

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Adding yummier foods like chicken to your dog's diet may cause it to stop eating its regular dry food, so I recommend not trying to feed your dog new things regularly.

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Tips

Talk to your vet before supplementing your dog's diet with chicken. Sometimes incorporating chicken into your dog's diet can actually make them picky about eating their other food, explains Bourquin.^{[23]
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Brian Bourquin, DVM
Veterinarian

Expert Interview. 20 December 2019.}

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Warnings

Allow the shredded, boiled chicken to cool completely before feeding it to your dog. Otherwise, your dog may burn its mouth and tongue while gobbling down the special treat.^{[24]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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If your dog has any negative reactions after eating the chicken, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash, take them to the vet. Although chicken is a normal part of many dogs’ diets, some dogs may be allergic to it.^{[25]
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Trustworthy Source

American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

Go to source}

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