~ These simple Homemade Dog Treats are the doggy version of that classic comfort food, chicken and biscuits! They’re also the perfect way to use up leftover chicken that might otherwise go to waste. With just 4 ingredients, they’re ultra quick and easy, and they store beautifully in the freezer for weeks! ~
This Recipe Is: • Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Freezable • Make Ahead •
Our Finny is a seriously pampered pooch with a pretty (ahem …) doggone good life. He’s got a doggy door so he can head out to sun himself on the deck whenever he pleases. He sleeps cuddled next to me, under the covers, every night. And you know he’s my favorite running buddy.
It’s good to be him.
Homemade dog treats, though? Really?
As though I have a whole bunch of extra time on my hands for that little indulgence, right?!?
But actually, I do! These dog treats take just moments to mix together, and with only four ingredients (because we’re not counting that freebie water!), they’re a total breeze!
They’re like home-style chicken and biscuits, in a pup-friendly, treat form!
What makes these dog treats totally THK-terrific, though, is the make-ahead, ready-and-waiting-when-you-are tip on how these treats help you use up chicken that would otherwise go to waste:
Stockpile (and Freeze) Your Bits of Leftover Chicken
As I mentioned in our post for Frozen Dog Treats, here at THK, we have a lot of recipes that start with a rotisserie chicken (such a simple shortcut!). But, when I’m working with a rotisserie chicken, I really hate not using up every morsel of the bird – including the little bits of meat stuck to the bones, and the cartilage and connective tissue that most people don’t eat. It often adds up to more than a cup of chicken I wouldn’t otherwise use! These homemade dog treats are the perfect way to put those extra little bits to great use! I’m so happy to feel like not one bit of the animal went to waste – that I used all I could.
So, instead of preparing chicken just to make this dog treat recipe (now, that really would be a pampered pooch!), I stockpile leftover bits of chicken any time we have some from our own (human) meals. I measure it out and keep it in labeled zipper bags in the freezer.
When I have enough chicken, I can whip up a batch of these homemade dog treats. And Finn is a happy, happy boy!
Chicken You Don’t Want to Use
When you’re chopping or shredding leftover chicken, be careful that you don’t include any bones. And go easy on including too much fat, particularly the fatty skin. I actually don’t recommend including the skin at all, if the chicken has been roasted with a lot of spices or salt that’s still clinging to it.
Similarly, if you’re using leftover chicken meat from a recipe (rather than using up a rotisserie chicken), and the meat is heavily sauced or deeply flavored from cooking spices or marinades, you should probably skip that, as well. To avoid upsetting your pup’s tummy, it’s best to keep things simple.
But What About Cute Shapes?
I see so many darling recipes for homemade dog treats that have been lovingly shaped into things like hearts or doggy bones. But it all just seems like a lot of fuss simply to make people happy. I’m pretty much 100% certain that Finn loves these treats just as much in a plain-old round shape, as he would if I’d spent loads of extra time making them into bones or hearts.
They’re basically just simple drop biscuits you plop onto a baking sheet – as easy as easy gets!
And all that time I saved?
Hey – it’s a few more minutes he and I can spend out running, or just cuddling on the couch. He’d vote for that any day!
Trust me – skipping the cookie cutters keeps these homemade dog biscuits lightning-fast and easy-peasy! And your dog won’t even notice (or care). Dogs don’t judge! They just gobble these down … and ask for more!
Which is exactly why I’m off to make another batch right now …
4-Ingredient Chicken and Biscuits Homemade Dog Treats
These easy Homemade Dog Treats are the perfect way to use up leftover chicken! They're quick to make, and store beautifully in the freezer for weeks!
• Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Freezable • Make Ahead •
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken (see note)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour
- 1 (5.3-ounce) container nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring until thoroughly incorporated. Batter will be very thick and sticky.
- Drop batter by level tablespoons onto parchment-lined baking sheets. (Because these dog biscuits spread very little during baking, I crowd them together more than typical cookies, and get all of them onto 2 baking sheets.) Using the back of a spoon, flatten the dog treats slightly.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes, until lightly golden brown.
- Cool completely on wire racks. Store in refrigerator or (for longer storage) in zippered freezer bags in freezer (thaw before serving).
Notes
Chicken: As discussed in the post, this recipe is an opportunity to use up leftover chicken, and we often utilize the bits of unused rotisserie chicken that we have left after making other recipes. Any cooked, chopped chicken will work for this recipe, but be very careful not to include any bones. Also, don't use too much of the fatty chicken skin, particularly if the skin has spicy seasonings or a lot of salt on it. Once you've finely chopped your leftover chicken for this recipe, you can pre-measure it and store it in a labeled, zippered freezer bag in your freezer until you have time to make this dog treat recipe.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 48 servings Serving Size: 1 treatAmount Per Serving: Calories: 33Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 7mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 2g
Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
Hi! I want to bake a batch of these to give to the owners of the dogs that I walk. Do you think I could use chicken broth instead of water? Also, I don’t have any chicken in my freezer so I’ll probably end up getting a chicken breast to cook for them. Should I season the chicken breast with anything? Salt?
Hi Kelly! Great questions! And oh my goodness – you’re just the sweetest to bake these up for those pups to enjoy – how kind of you! So, my main concern about using broth is with what other ingredients it might contain, particularly added sodium. I do think it would add nice flavor, though – just read the ingredient labels and try to choose an absolutely clean brand that’s sodium-free. Along those same lines, I wouldn’t season the chicken with anything at all – dogs are happy with plain-jane foods, so why add the sodium, you know? A couple other ideas there – you could always grab a rotisserie chicken to make a nice little meal for yourself, and use the leftover bits of meat from that to make these dog treats. That way you don’t have to purchase meat ONLY to make the treats – you get a meal or two yourself out of the deal, too – BONUS! 😉 Or, if you’re making these after Thanksgiving, check out the brand-new recipe I just posted yesterday for a similar treat recipe (https://twohealthykitchens.com/leftover-turkey-homemade-dog-treats/) that subs out the chicken for leftover turkey. Just another idea. Oh! And in that post, I also have pics demonstrating the easy-peasy rectangular shape you can make as an alternative to these round drop biscuits. Might be even easier for you if you’re baking a bunch! Let me know if I can help any further – and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ~Shelley
Thank you this is exactly what I was looking for. Dehydrating here for five spoiled rotten dachshunds!
Spoiled rotten dogs are the best kind! 😉 So glad you like this recipe — and hope they enjoy, too! ~Amy
Dear Shelley & Finny,
My little rescue dog, Toby, is very happy to let you know he is so very pleased that I found your amazingly delicious recipe and baked him a batch. He absolutely LOVES them and actually whines and follows me around after he finishes because he wants some more (it is comical, as this is not something he ever does).
I have a question for you, but first wanted to let you know why I made some test modifications. Toby recently has had a tendency to get ear infections so I try to not give him any added sugar or regular wheat flour, so as to starve-off any potential yeast and/or fungus. I am starting to bake his biskies and am kind of new at this. I really like that your recipe is heavy on natural protein with few ingredients. So I read your readers’ comments and did some experimenting on my own. Everything turned out great. Here’s what I tried and why:
1. Substituted some non-wheat and protein- type flours for the 2c wheat flour. I ground all of these in my Vitamix Dry Container:
a. ½ c Amaranth Flour
b. ½ c Buckwheat Flour
c. ½ c Brown Rice Flour
d. ½ c Lentil Flour
2. Did not have any eggs on-hand, so I substituted ground organic flax (2 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg)
3. Added some seasonings for flavor and hopeful health benefit:
a. 1 tbsp turmeric powder
b. 1 tbsp ground rosemary
c. 1 tbsp ground thyme
d. A small palmfull of dulse (seaweed)
e. ½ tsp sea salt (since I cooked the chicken from scratch with no seasoning)
4. I pulled the chicken off the bone and mixed ALL ingredients into my regular Vitamix bowl (so the chicken was not “little pieces”, but all ground-up throughout the biskies (did not look as pretty as yours, but was easier for me – and allowed me to roll the dough really thin).
5. Lastly, I rolled these very thin (between 1/16” and 1/8”) and cut them into small pieces with a pizza wheel.
I ended-up baking these for 30-40 minutes, because the dough still seemed raw (probably because of the different flour) . The biscuits did not burn, and after baking, the thinner ones were crispy and the thicker ones, though still thin, were softer.
TOBY LOVES THEM ALL – thick/thin/soft/cruchy (he just had some and thanks you so very much).
Okay, so, here’s my 2-part question:
a. If I make these just like yours (the spoonful drop biscuits that look like REAL “chicken & biscuits”), what is the baked consistency? Are they crunchy on the outside & soft on the inside, or soft all-over?
b. And if I roll them out, like explained in the comments section, should they be soft -or- crispy (inside / outside)?
The ones in your pictures look so delicious and with my weird flours taking different baking times, am wanting to adjust correctly to make consistency way it is supposed to be. Even, though, as you said in your recipe materials, he does not mind how they look – he is loving your beautiful recipe and the rich meatiness it provides.
Just had to add that your Finny is one adorable, sweet doggie!
Thank you so much for sharing your artistic talents with us,
– TOBY & Paula
Oh Paula – what a wonderful comment from you and your sweet Toby! Perfect way to start my morning! 😀 I was sitting here at my computer, petting Finny while I read, and it made me so happy to know that another little rescue pup was a bit happier because of our recipe! <3 BTW ... what kind of dog is Toby - any ideas about his breed(s), or is he one of those one-of-a-kind, could-be-anything fellows?
Anyway ... you are just tooooo sweet to share all of your amazing recipe modifications and ideas! I love them!! And honestly, I think they will be such helpful inspiration for so many other readers, too. I love when my readers share how they personalized recipes and swap ideas for brand-new spins! Thank you so much for sharing!
So, to answer your questions - whether I bake these as little "drop biscuits" or press them out flat and cut them like you and Mark did - I don't really bake them so long that they're particularly crisp. They're fully baked and slightly toasty-golden-brown on the outside, with a finished, "set" exterior ... but they're not crisp all the way through, like you could snap them in half with a crunchy-crack. I guess you could say that they're rather soft and pliable - although not soft in a crumbly, fall-apart way (they hold together just fine). Does that makes sense??
Really, though - if Toby likes the thinner, crispier ones, too, I don't see any reason not to make some that way. As long as they're not burned ... why not?!? In fact, I just might have to try making some that are thinner next time, with a longer bake, just to switch things up a little! The stash of these treats in my freezer is starting to dwindle, so it's almost time to make more! (Although, this time of year, I also like to make our 2-Ingredient Frozen Dog Treats to help Finn cool off - have you peeked at that recipe yet? https://twohealthykitchens.com/frozen-dog-treat-recipe-using-leftover-chicken/ I wonder if Toby will like those, too? Finn adores them!)
I hope you have a terrific week, and Finny thanks you in advance for the new ideas! 😉 ~Shelley
Dear Shelley,
Toby still LOVES these….he sits next to me EVERY TIME – the ENTIRE TIME while I prep & bake these… HE KNOWS these are being made just for him!
Made your recipe today… & thought I’d leave a long-overdue note to thank you for your response and let you know that I am back to YOUR simpler version of this recipe. Less is definitely BEST.
Have recently read that, in excess, turmeric and rosemary may be harmful to our little doggies. So mainly, I follow your recipe – with wheat-free flours. Sometimes, I still use safe spices SPARINGLY, and rotate them in smaller amounts – 1/2 to 1 TEAspoon per batch – instead of a TABLEspoon. Also am omitting the salt.
I wish I could get his “verbal” input on this, but I think Toby likes the soft drop-biscuit – YOUR “Original Recipe”, rather than the “Extra Crispy” version, especially straight from the oven, after cooled a bit.
Have tried so many other home-made dog treats, but this one is so simple and really puts Toby in a “happy place”. It’s definitely his favorite (and MINE TOO because it’s SO easy and SO healthy).
Need to add that there is something wonderful about Finny and your love for him…brought a happy tear to my eye the first time I found your site and read your recipe. He is truly one A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E pup with real personality. You captured this so beautifully in your pics and words.
Okay, Toby’s breeds are 80% or more Boston Terrier and 20% or less Bichon Frise – per a doggie DNA test. He has a curly-white stripe on top of his head (like Bichon) and a long fluffy tail. Except for the one TINY 2″ x 3″ stripe of curly white hair from his forehead to his neck, the rest of his hair is straight (like Boston) but grows long. He also has a long snout (where Bostons have short one). ALL of his hair-color markings are identical to a brindle and white Boston Terrier…..it’s SO funny how the 2 different breed characteristics took shape.
YOU are the BEST, Shelley, for sharing your Finny pics and his oh-so-SPECIAL recipes with us.
Going now to pack-up and freeze today’s double-batch of “Finny” Chicken Biskies.
Your Friends,
TOBY and Paula
Hi, Paula (and Toby)! It made me sooo happy to read your sweet comment! I’m really glad that you both love this recipe as much as Finn and I do. 😉
Toby sounds like such a cute puppy, and I love that these treats bring a little happy excitement to his world. It’s so, unbelievably cute that he “helps” you bake these every time! 😀 Finny does the exact same thing, and is a super-helpful sous chef. If you scroll to the middle of our post on our sweet potato and turkey dog treats, you can see a picture of him at my feet watching me cook. Soooo cute!
And, those are all such interesting tips and modifications you shared — I’m sure that lots of our other readers (and their doggies!) will find them useful, too — so thank you so much for sharing!
Tell Toby we hope he enjoys his fresh batch! (And give him some extra belly rubs from us!)
~Finn and Shelley
The first time, I made them like cookies as per the recipe but they were way to big to use as training treats. Now I press the batter into a thin layer on a parchment papered cookie sheet. I sprinkle flour on the dough to prevent my fingers sticking to it. I then score it with a floured pizza cutter and bake for about 30 minutes til top and bottom are crisp. They break into squares along the scores lines after cooling.
Oh Mark, I just love this suggestion! Thank you so much for sharing your method! Yes – these are definitely too big to use as training treats where a dog may be given several in one training session, especially using the tablespoon-measure I suggest. Your method is brilliant, and I really appreciate that you shared it as an idea to help other readers who might want to turn this dog biscuit recipe into a training-treat-sized portion! Thank you so much! And one other note for readers looking for smaller treats (but this isn’t as small as a training treat), I sometimes make these dog biscuits using a teaspoon measure instead of a tablespoon – you can definitely adjust the portion size without a problem. If you go smaller, though, just watch your bake time and be ready to decrease it slightly with the smaller biscuit size, so they don’t burn. ~Shelley
Hi Mark! I just had to pop back to tell you how brilliantly your technique worked! I made another batch of these homemade dog treats last night, but saved a ton more time by not forming them into little circles. I used a rubber scraper to spread the entire dough out into a rectangle on a piece of parchment, about 10×14″ and 1/2-inch thick. Then, I scored it most of the way through with a pizza cutter and baked it at 350 for 30 minutes. After the dog biscuits cooled, they did break nicely along the lines I’d scored, but I also tried using a knife to cut along the pre-scored lines, which worked well, too. And ta-da! Little dog biscuits in no time flat! Love this idea (and Finny does, too) – thank you so much for sharing your tips! ~Shelley
Glad my idea helped. I spread my dough quite thinly to, again, keep the treats small.
YES! Your idea was genius – thank you again! The last batch I made, I actually broke them into even smaller pieces after baking, so they’re the perfect tiny size to put into some of my pup’s “busy” balls. I guess it all depends on the size of your dog and how you’re utilizing the treats (as trainers, etc.). Thanks bunches – and happy holidays to you! ~Shelley
My boyfriends dog ,just loves I mean ,,,,loves these treats!!!!! I added bacon ? And used white flour .what a hit,thanks
I’m so happy to hear it, Tracy! What a lucky pup! Although you’re reminding me … I’ve got some frozen rotisserie chicken waiting for me in the freezer, and my dog Finn is completely out of these treats! I’m sure he’d thank you for the little reminder LOL! ~Shelley