Easy Chicken Dog Treats: Homemade Chicken and Oat Recipe

Easy chicken dog treats need just four plain ingredients: cooked chicken, oat flour, one egg, and a little water. They take about 35 minutes and make around 45 bite-size treats. The one rule that keeps them safe is to use plain chicken and plain liquid, with no salt, onion, or garlic.

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Recipe Snapshot

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 20 minutes
• Total time: 35 minutes (with chicken already cooked)
• Yield: About 45 treats at 1½ inches
• Difficulty: Easy
• Storage life: 3–4 days in the fridge, up to 3 months in the freezer

Key takeaway: Plain cooked chicken, plain oats, no salt, no onion, no garlic. Keep treats to 10% of your dog’s daily calories.

Every time I cook chicken, my dog appears in the kitchen out of nowhere. So I made a treat that turns that begging into something useful. These are simple, soft-crunchy, and made from food I can pronounce.

Are chicken and oats safe for dogs?

Yes, when both are plain and cooked. Chicken must be cooked all the way through to avoid salmonella, and garlic, onions, and bones must stay out. The AKC says oatmeal for dogs should be plain, with no added salt, sugar, or raisins. Read more on the AKC’s oatmeal guide. PetMDAmerican Kennel Club

Vet Tip: The AKC’s oatmeal advice covers plain, cooked oats. In these treats the oats are ground and baked in a moist dough. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, ask your vet first. Never feed the raw dough.

Wondering what else to keep away from your dog? See my list of foods dogs cannot eat.

What do I need to make chicken dog treats?

Recipe Card: Chicken and Oat Dog Treats

Ingredients

• 1 cup (about 140 g) plain cooked chicken breast, finely shredded or chopped
• 2½ cups (about 200 g) plain old-fashioned rolled oats, ground into about 2 cups oat flour
• 1 large egg
• ⅓ cup plain water or unsalted poaching water from the chicken, plus 1–2 tablespoons if needed
• Extra oat flour for dusting

Dog-Safe Ingredient Check

• Chicken: Plain, boneless, skinless. Skip rotisserie and seasoned chicken. Only chicken boiled, steamed, or baked with no oils or flavorings is considered safe.
• Liquid: Use water or plain poaching water. Store-bought broth often has onion and garlic.
• Oats: Plain rolled oats only. Flavored packets can contain xylitol, a sweetener that can be deadly to dogs.
• Add-ins: No raisins, chocolate, or grapes. UC Davis Veterinary Medicine lists chocolate, macadamia nuts, garlic, onions, grapes, and raisins as harmful. Here’s why chocolate is dangerous for dogs. Can Dogs Eat Chicken? – Total.vet +3
• Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Grind the oats in a blender or food processor until fine like flour. Measure 2 cups.
3. In a bowl, mix the chicken, egg, and water.
4. Add the oat flour. Stir until a dough forms. Let it rest 5 minutes, because oat flour soaks up liquid slowly.
5. Check the dough. Add 1 tablespoon of water if it’s crumbly, or 1 tablespoon of flour if it’s sticky.
6. Roll the dough ¼ inch thick between two sheets of parchment.
7. Cut into 1½-inch squares and set them close together on the tray. They won’t spread.
8. Bake 18–22 minutes, until the edges are golden and the treats feel firm.
9. Cool completely on a wire rack before storing.

Pro Tip: Want them crunchier? After baking, turn the oven off and leave the treats inside with the door closed for 30 minutes.

Pro Tip: No cooked chicken? Poach a breast in plain water until it reaches 165°F inside. Use some of that water in the dough.

How long do homemade chicken dog treats last?

They last 3–4 days in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer. These treats contain chicken and egg and no preservatives, so treat them like cooked leftovers. USDA guidance says leftovers keep 3 to 4 days refrigerated or 3 to 4 months frozen. I stay on the safe side and use 3 months. See the USDA’s leftovers and food safety page. USDA FSIS

• Don’t leave them out longer than 2 hours.
• Cool them fully first, so steam doesn’t make them soggy.
• Freeze on a tray first, then move them to a bag. They won’t clump.
• Write the date on the container. A dog health tracker is also handy for logging what your dog eats.

How many chicken dog treats can my dog have?

Treats should be no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. VCA Animal Hospitals says 90% of daily calories should come from complete and balanced food. Read their dog treats guide. VCA Animal Hospitals

By my math, each 1½-inch treat has about 20–25 calories. That’s an estimate based on USDA FoodData Central’s value of about 165 calories per 100 grams of cooked chicken breast, plus standard values for rolled oats and one egg.

The AKC gives an example of a dog eating 1,456 calories a day, which leaves about 146 calories for treats. At roughly 22 calories each, that dog could have about six treats if nothing else extra is given that day. The full breakdown is in the AKC’s treat guide. American Kennel Club

Want more on portions? Try my posts on how many treats a dog should have a day and why I failed the 90/10 rule at first. Treats are the fun 10%, so make sure the other 90% is a balanced meal. A variety meal plan can help with that.

Can I use these as training treats?

Yes. Cut them into pea-size bits for big rewards without the calories. Chicken smells strong, so most dogs work hard for it. See what professional trainers use, or try them with clicker training or when you teach a dog to sit. For a structured plan, Brain Training for Dogs is worth a look.

What can I swap in this recipe?

• Chicken allergy: Use plain cooked turkey instead.
• Extra veggies: Add ¼ cup finely grated carrot and cut the water a little. Try my carrot treat bites.
• Sweet potato: Swap half the chicken for ½ cup plain mashed sweet potato. You may need a bit more flour. See my sweet potato treats.
• Peanut butter: Add 1 tablespoon of xylitol-free peanut butter. Read can dogs eat peanuts safely first, or try my peanut butter oat treats.
• Gluten-free: Oats can cross-contaminate during processing, so pick a brand that guards against it. Wiggleworthy
• Grain-free: Skip this dough. Dry thin strips of plain chicken breast in a low oven until firm.
• Size of dog: Use ½-inch bits for tiny dogs, 1-inch for small dogs, and 1½–2 inches for large dogs.
• Batch scaling: Double everything and freeze half.
• Nutrition boost: If your vet recommends one, a dog supplement can go alongside treats. Don’t mix it into the dough without asking your vet.
• Rather skip baking? Grab some ready-made dog treats.

Not sure if homemade wins over store-bought? Read are homemade dog treats healthier. More ideas are in my best treats for dogs list.

“Simple ingredients, simple checks, happy dog.”

FAQ

Q: Can dogs eat chicken and oats together?
A: Yes, when both are plain and cooked. Leave out salt, onion, garlic, sugar, and raisins.

Q: Can I use canned or rotisserie chicken?
A: I don’t. Both are usually salty or seasoned. Rotisserie chicken often has salt, garlic, and onion, and the skin is very high in fat. Cook a plain breast instead. Pet Care Medical

Q: Can I freeze these treats?
A: Yes. Freeze them in a single layer, then bag them. They keep up to 3 months.

Q: How many can my dog have a day?
A: Keep all treats under 10% of daily calories. That’s about six of these for a dog eating around 1,450 calories a day, if nothing else extra is given.

Q: Are they safe for puppies?
A: Small pieces are usually fine, but puppies need mostly complete puppy food. Whole or uncooked oats can also pose a choking risk for small dogs. Keep bits tiny and ask your vet first. Rover

Now for the best part. Set the treats down and watch your dog enjoy them. A dog camera is fun for catching that happy dance when you’re not home.