Homemade Dog Jerky Dehydrated Chicken Treats for Dogs

These homemade dog jerky treats are not only easy to make but they have the added benefit of being healthier than commercial dog treats.

Making homemade treats is the best option because you get to decide what goes into them. 

So, if you’re tired of store-bought jerky dog treats with potentially harmful ingredients, I’ve got the perfect solution for you – homemade chicken jerky strips made in your trusty food dehydrator or air fryer.

This homemade dog jerky recipe is not only a delicious treat for your four-legged friends but also a healthy choice that can contribute to your dog’s health.

Why Make Homemade Dog Jerky?

Store-bought jerky treats can sometimes contain additives, artificial sweeteners, and other questionable ingredients that aren’t ideal for your dog’s health.

But worry not, because crafting your very own chicken jerky is a fantastic way to provide your furry companion with high-quality, dog-safe ingredients.

You have so much flexibility when you make your own treats – you can tailor the recipe to your dog’s size, dietary needs, and preferences.

As an Amazon associate, through the Amazon Services LLC associates program, I make a small portion of any sales at no additional cost to you. 

Ingredients & Substitutions

The only thing you will need to make this homemade dog jerky is boneless skinless chicken breasts and a dehydrator, air fryer, or oven.

No jerky gun or aluminum foil is required when using most dehydrators or air fryers to make these dog treats. 

If you want to add dog-approved spices or add an oil such as salmon oil or coconut oil for their fatty acids and vitamin E, this is the time to do so.  

You can also follow these steps for dehydrating when using your favorite cut of meat such as ground beef, organ meat, or any other ground meat you prefer.

Be sure to cook in small increments as different meats may require different cooking times. 

I usually cook the meat for the first hour uninterrupted and then cook it in ten-minute increments, checking the meat after each cycle.

The thickness of the meat will also impact the cook time so keep that in mind when experimenting with different types of meat for your dog jerky recipe.

Instructions for How to Make Homemade Chicken Jerky

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken for the Dehydrator

Start by slicing chicken breasts into thin pieces, aiming for 1/8 inch to 1/4 inch thick.

This doesn’t have to be exact, you can choose to make small pieces if you prefer but they will be done cooking faster than larger pieces.

Be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the size of these yummy treats. 

The best way to ensure you do not overcook these dehydrated dog treats is to cook them for small amounts of time and check often.

I usually do this with ten-minute increments after the initial hour of cooking time.

Step 2: Dehydrating Jerky

The method is simple: set your air fryer or food dehydrator to 250 degrees.

Place the raw meat on the dehydrator trays, cook for 1 hour, flip the chicken strips, then continue for another 30 minutes.

After that, check every ten minutes, ensuring the total cooking time doesn’t exceed 2 hours.

The exact time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breast cuts; aim for 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick for the best results. 

Once the jerky is done, allow it to come to room temperature and then store this tasty treat or serve it to your dog. 

Storage Tips

To keep your homemade jerky fresh, store it in an airtight container. I prefer to use a mason jar but you can use a ziploc bag for smaller pieces or if you are making a big batch many ziplock bags may be required.  

This will ensure a longer shelf life, and your furry friend can enjoy the delicious taste of your homemade dog treats for weeks to come.

Make an extra batch and give some out as gifts to your pet-lover friends.

What Are The Health Benefits of Homemade Jerky? 

Our homemade chicken jerky is not only a delicious treat but also packed with benefits for your dog.

It’s a great source of protein, and chicken breast is a lean meat option that won’t upset your dog’s stomach. 

Homemade dog treats also allow you to control the quality of the ingredients, avoiding harmful additives.

Plus, you can tailor the recipe to meet your dog’s unique dietary needs.

Whether they have food allergies, require specific nutrients, or are a tough breed like a Doberman Pinscher or a German Shepherd who typically have more biting power.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and healthy project to pamper your best friend follow these step-by-step instructions.

Your dog’s teeth, immune system, and taste buds will thank you for these delectable homemade chicken jerky treats that you can make in the convenience of your own kitchen.

Get ready to embark on a homemade dog jerky adventure that’s as good for your pet as it is for your peace of mind!

Can I Dehydrate Dog Treats in the Oven? 

Yes! If you don’t have an air fryer to make these dehydrated treats I have some good news, you can use your regular oven.

The only difference will be that making these chewy treats in the oven takes a bit longer than the air fryer. 

When using an oven, a lower temperature and longer cooking time are needed to achieve the same jerky-like result as an air fryer set at a higher temperature.

It is important to thoroughly cook your dog treat recipes as you would when making something for human consumption because you want to make sure that you are cooking off any of the harmful bacteria. 

To make healthy dog treats in your oven you will need the same ingredients which are boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

They are lean and provide a good base for your dog’s jerky chews.

Start by preheating your oven to 170-180°F (75-80°C). You want a low temperature to slowly dehydrate the chicken without cooking it.

Next, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips. Aim for strips that are approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Thinner slices will dry faster, but be sure not to make them too thin, as they can become too brittle.

Using racks is a good idea if you have them handy because they allow for more airflow but if you do not have them on hand just place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.

Lay the chicken strips on the parchment paper, ensuring they don’t overlap. 

Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the chicken strips for about 2-3 hours. Check them periodically, as cooking times can vary depending on your oven and the thickness of the chicken strips.

The jerky is ready when it’s dry, firm, and has a leathery texture. It should not be soft or squishy.

After baking, remove the jerky from the oven and let it cool completely. This helps it firm up even more, then remove it from the cookie sheets.

Follow the same storage instructions as you would for making these treats in a dehydrator or air fryer. 

Recommended Tools for this Recipe

While you can use your oven to create these treats I highly recommend picking up an air fryer. The PowerXl Air Fryer is the one I use every day.

It is a great choice because it has the ability to replace a lot of other kitchen appliances including a dehydrator. 

It also gives you the ability to make a whole chicken, warm up hot dogs, or make your own dog food.

You can make all sorts of delicious recipes including a variety of quality dog treats with this gadget and plenty of recipes for the rest of your family too. 

Related Recipes

One of the most popular recipes among dog lovers on this site is a post sharing how to make sweet potato jerky from sweet potatoes.

This healthy treat is perfect for keeping your dog busy while offering them a great flavor that is actually good for them. 

Need an even easier dog treat recipe? These simple dog treats are made of just four ingredients and these easy dog treats are made from just three ingredients.

They are both easily customizable so if your dog loves peanut butter, add some in, if they enjoy a burst of chicken flavor, just leave them as is, simple and delicious.

After making your dogs recipe, you may also enjoy learning how to make your own homemade beef jerky in the air fryer.

Adjust the marinade if you want to make this recipe safe for your pup and share these yummy treats with your furry friend.  

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