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Learn how to make a balanced Homemade Chicken Dog Food Recipe using The Farmer’s Dog DIY Nutrient Mix. This post is sponsored by Farmer’s Dog. The content is based on information supplied by the brand.
Many readers loved the veterinarian formulated Balanced Homemade Beef Dog Food Recipe I posted, but several asked for a different protein option so they could rotate meals and provide variety for their dogs. That’s why I’m sharing this Balanced Homemade Chicken Dog Food recipe, created by The Farmer’s Dog using their DIY Nutrient Mix.
Did you know that homemade meals can pose risks if not prepared correctly? Dogs require around 40 essential nutrients in the right amounts and ratios for optimal health, and home-cooked diets that aren’t balanced to AAFCO standards can create small daily deficits or excesses that accumulate over time.
Using the Farmer’s Dog DIY Nutrient Mix removes the guesswork and ensures your dog gets a complete and balanced meal, even when you’re cooking at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Peace of mind: No guesswork – with The Farmer’s Dog DIY Nutrient Mix, this recipe provides a complete and balanced meal for your dog.
- Fresh, homemade ingredients: You’re in control of the quality of your chicken, vegetables, and other ingredients for a wholesome, cooked meal.
- Customizable meal plans: Make exactly the amount your dog needs based on their diet needs, while keeping nutrition consistent.
How Does Farmer’s Dog DIY Plan Work?
The Farmer’s Dog DIY Plan is designed for dog owners who want to cook fresh meals at home while still providing complete and balanced nutrition. With the DIY Nutrient Mix, you can choose how much of a supply you’d like, giving you flexibility to cook meals for your dog on your schedule.
Here’s how it works:
1. Create Your Dog’s Profile
Start by filling out a profile with details like your dog’s breed, age, weight, body condition (underweight, ideal, or overweight), and activity level.
- This helps determine your dog’s daily calorie needs and portion sizes, so the recipe you choose is tailored to them.
2. Choose a Recipe
Next, pick a recipe from a variety of options, including:
- Proteins: Poultry, beef, pork, or fish.
- Specialized recipe options: Adult, low-fat, or puppy recipes.
3. Gather and Cook Ingredients
Purchase and cook the fresh ingredients at home, using the exact measurements provided. This gives you full control over quality, freshness, and preparation.
4. Add The Farmer’s Dog DIY Nutrient Mix
Once the ingredients are cooked, mix in the recommended amount of the nutrient mix.
5. Portion According to Your Dog’s Needs
Follow the daily portion amounts provided in your plan.
6. Store and Serve
Refrigerate meals for short-term use and/or freeze extra portions for later, making meal prep easy and convenient.
Ingredients:
Please see the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and measurements!
- Ground chicken – Great source of protein, phosphorus, and B-vitamins. Also contains essential Omega-6 fatty acids, essential amino acids, choline, zinc, iron.
- Spinach – Also contains pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), and fiber.
- Zucchini – Good source of vitamin A, C, K, E, B6, and B9, folate, potassium, and magnesium.
- Sweet potato – Good source of potassium and vitamin B6; also contains magnesium and iron.
- Egg whites – Great source of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, A, and B6, iron, potassium, and magnesium and choline.
- Salmon oil – Provides Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA)
- Sunflower oil – Provides the essential Omega-6 fatty acid, Linoleic Acid
- Nutrient Mix – When a nutrient is essential, it means the body can’t produce enough of it on its own to ensure health. The Nutrient mix works hand in hand with the food ingredients, to assure adequacy of all essential vitamins and minerals. It includes supplemental chelated minerals, essential vitamins and an appropriate combination of calcium, phosphorus + vitamin D3.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Weigh, wash, and roughly chop the vegetables so they are easier to process (or finely chop if you don’t have a food processor).
- Process the vegetables using the pulse function until they are finely chopped and uniform.
- Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, except for the DIY Nutrient Mix.
- Mix thoroughly so that the ingredients are distributed as evenly as possible.
- In a large pot or dutch oven, cook the dog food mixture over medium-high heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the pot from the heat and sprinkle 1 packet of The Farmer’s Dog DIY Nutrient Mix evenly across the surface. Stir to evenly distribute throughout the food until you can no longer see the nutrient mix.
- Once the food is cooked, let it cool down a bit (no longer than 20 minutes). Set aside a few portions and put them in the fridge — you can store food in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- If a single batch will last longer than 4 days, store the remainder in the freezer. Move each portion to the fridge 24 hours before feeding to thaw.
Before You Cook: Read This
- Use a scale. The recipes lists ingredients in both cups and grams, and while a scale isn’t required, it provides far greater accuracy and helps ensure the recipe stays properly balanced.
- Do not adjust quantities of ingredients or make substitutions. This is crucial. Changing portions, swapping ingredients, or altering calorie content can throw off the balance of the recipe – especially since the nutrient mix is calibrated to the formula as written. For a truly complete and balanced meal, follow the exact ingredients and quantities provided.
- Avoid leaving large chunks of vegetables. Finely chopping, grating, or processing them not only reduces choking hazards but also helps break down tough plant cell walls, making the nutrients easier for your dog to absorb.
Try This Next
If you’re looking for nutrient-rich homemade treats, you might also enjoy my recipe for Green-Lipped Mussel Dog Treats. They’re a simple, whole-food snack packed with natural joint-supporting nutrients and make a great addition alongside balanced meals. My girls LOVE these!
Disclaimer: I am not an expert in dog nutrition. Please consult your veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist before starting a homemade diet. Every dog has unique nutritional needs, and even balanced recipes may not be appropriate for all dogs. I also keep up with regular check-ups and routine bloodwork for my own dogs to ensure they’re thriving on their diet.
More Recipes for your dogs
If you tried this Homemade Dog Food recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Homemade Dog Food – Chicken Recipe with DIY Nutrient Mix
Ingredients
- 1361 g ground chicken, 93% lean
- 490 g sweet potato, shredded or finely diced
- 210 g spinach, chopped
- 190 g zucchini
- 66 g egg whites, (2 large eggs)
- 15 g sunflower oil
- 8 g salmon oil
- 1 packet The Farmer's Dog DIY Nutrient Mix
Instructions
- Weigh, wash, and roughly chop the vegetables so they are easier to process (or finely chop or grate if you don't have a food processor).
- Process the vegetables using the pulse function until they are finely chopped and uniform.
- Combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, except for the DIY Nutrient Mix.
- Mix thoroughly so that the ingredients are distributed as evenly as possible.
- In a large pot or dutch oven, cook the dog food mixture over medium-high heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the pot from the heat and sprinkle 1 packet of The Farmer’s Dog DIY Nutrient Mix evenly across the surface. Stir to evenly distribute throughout the food until you can no longer see the nutrient mix.
- If a single batch will last longer than 4 days, store the remainder in the freezer. Move each portion to the fridge 24 hours before feeding to thaw.
Notes
- Use a scale. The recipes lists ingredients in both cups and grams, and while a scale isn’t required, it provides far greater accuracy and helps ensure the recipe stays properly balanced.
- Do not adjust quantities of ingredients or make substitutions. This is crucial. Changing portions, swapping ingredients, or altering calorie content can throw off the balance of the recipe – especially since the nutrient mix is calibrated to the formula as written. For a truly complete and balanced meal, follow the exact ingredients and quantities provided.
- Avoid leaving large chunks of vegetables. Finely chopping, grating, or processing them not only reduces choking hazards but also helps break down tough plant cell walls, making the nutrients easier for your dog to absorb.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
