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Love a short ingredient list? See all my 3 ingredient recipes.
These 3 ingredient chicken dog treats are soft, high-value training squares made from plain cooked chicken, cooked white rice, and one egg. You blend, press into a pan, and bake for about 25 minutes. The rule that keeps them safe: the chicken and rice must be completely plain, with no salt, onion, garlic, or seasoned broth.
Recipe Snapshot
- Prep time: 10 minutes (with chicken and rice already cooked)
- Cook time: 25 to 30 minutes
- Total time: about 45 minutes, including cooling
- Yield: one 8×8-inch pan, about 64 one-inch squares
- Difficulty: Easy
- Storage life: 3 to 4 days in the fridge, 3 months in the freezer
When my dog was learning recall, dry biscuits just didn’t cut it at the park. Squirrels won every time. Real chicken changed that overnight. The problem was that plain chicken bits are greasy, they crumble, and they’re a mess in your pocket. So I started baking chicken into a firm little square that holds together. This is that recipe.
What Do You Need?
Just three things, and you probably have two of them left over from dinner.
- 1 cup (about 140 g) plain cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 cup plain cooked white rice, unsalted
- 1 large egg
How should I cook the chicken?
Poach or bake it plain until it reaches 165°F (74°C) inside. That’s the safe minimum temperature for all poultry on the FoodSafety.gov temperature chart. I simmer two breasts in plain water for about 15 minutes, then check with a thermometer. Pull off any skin, fat, and bones.
How Do You Make 3 Ingredient Chicken Dog Treats?
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment, letting it hang over two sides.
- Put the chicken in a food processor and pulse until it’s finely shredded.
- Add the rice and the egg.
- Blend for about 1 minute, until it turns into a thick, sticky paste.
- Scrape the paste into the pan.
- Press it flat and even with a wet spatula, about ½ inch thick.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until firm in the center and golden at the edges.
- Lift it out by the parchment while it’s still warm.
- Cut it into squares with a pizza cutter or sharp knife.
- Let the squares cool completely before you store them.
Dog-Safe Ingredient Check
- No seasoned leftovers. Rotisserie chicken and takeout are usually salted and seasoned. Cook your own plain chicken for this.
- Watch the broth. If you cook the rice or chicken in broth, read the label. The ASPCA says onion, garlic, and chives can cause stomach irritation and red blood cell damage in pets. Plain water is easiest.
- No bones, ever. The AKC warns that cooked chicken bones splinter easily and can cause choking or a puncture in the gut.
- Cook it all the way. The AKC notes most sources recommend against raw chicken because of the risk of salmonella. The egg also gets fully cooked as it bakes.
Is Chicken Safe for Every Dog?
For most dogs, yes. But chicken is a common food allergen, so it’s not right for every dog.
The AKC says some dogs are allergic to chicken, and it ranks among the top 10 allergy-causing ingredients, along with beef, dairy, wheat, and egg. If your dog gets itchy skin, ear infections, or loose stools after chicken, stop and talk to your vet.
The rice is the gentle part. The AKC’s rice guide explains that white rice is easy to digest and low in fiber. That’s why vets often use it in a bland diet after a stomach upset.
Vet Tip: The AKC notes that white rice has a higher glycemic index than brown rice. If your dog is diabetic, ask your vet before using these as an everyday reward.
What Size Should I Cut Them?
Cut them small for training and bigger for a once-a-day treat. The whole pan has about 507 calories, using USDA FoodData Central numbers: about 230 for the chicken, 205 for the rice, and 72 for the egg.
| Cut size | Pieces per pan | Calories each (approx.) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½-inch squares | about 256 | 2 | Training sessions with lots of reps |
| 1-inch squares | about 64 | 8 | Small dogs, or a jackpot reward |
| 2-inch squares | about 16 | 32 | A daily treat for big dogs |
Training burns through treats fast, so tiny pieces matter. VCA Animal Hospitals says treats should stay within 10% of your dog’s daily calories. On big training days, I cut back his dinner a little to make room.
Why Do Trainers Love Chicken Treats?
Because most dogs will work harder for real meat than for a dry biscuit. Trainers call these “high-value” treats.
I save these for the hard stuff: recall at the park, walking past other dogs, and nail trims. For easy cues at home, I use plainer treats. My posts on what treats professional dog trainers use and how to teach a dog to come when called explain how to use them well.
If you want a structured plan, I’ve had good results with this brain training for dogs course. And for a dog with bigger behavior issues, this dog behavior training program focuses on building calm.
Swaps That Still Keep It at Three
- Turkey instead of chicken: Use plain cooked turkey breast, cooked to the same 165°F.
- Sweet potato instead of rice: Use 1 cup of plain mashed cooked sweet potato. The squares turn orange and a bit softer. My 3 ingredient sweet potato dog treats explain how to cook it.
- Pumpkin instead of rice: Use ¾ cup plain canned pumpkin. It’s wetter, so bake 5 minutes longer. See my 3 ingredient pumpkin dog treats for which can to buy.
- Want a crunchy biscuit instead? My chicken and oat dog treats roll and cut like cookies.
How Do I Store Chicken Dog Treats?
Keep them in the fridge in a sealed container and use them within 3 to 4 days. Freeze the rest for up to 3 months.
These are basically cooked meat, so they don’t belong on the counter or in a warm car all day. I freeze the squares flat on a tray for an hour, then bag them. Grab a small handful in the morning, and they’re thawed by the time you hit the park.
If your fridge is empty and class starts in an hour, a bag of store-bought dog treats will do the job.
FAQ
Can I use canned chicken?
Only if it’s packed in water with no added salt. Drain it well. Plain chicken you cook yourself is still my first choice.
Can I use brown rice?
Yes. Brown rice has more fiber, so the squares are a little coarser. Blend it a bit longer.
Do I need the egg?
Yes. It’s the binder. Without it, the squares crumble when you cut them.
Are 3 ingredient chicken dog treats okay for puppies?
Most puppies can have tiny pieces once they eat solid food. Ask your vet first, and go slowly with any new food.
Why are my squares mushy?
The layer was too thick or underbaked. Press it to ½ inch and bake until the center feels firm.
Can I dehydrate them for longer storage?
You can dry the cut squares at 200°F for another hour or so to make them chewier. Still keep them in the fridge, since meat treats spoil faster than grain biscuits.
Plain chicken, plain rice, one egg, and a pizza cutter. That’s all you need for a pan of training treats your dog will actually listen for. If you’d like to keep an eye on weight while you train hard, a dog health tracker makes it easy.
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