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    The Purposeful Pantry » Dehydrating

    Author: Darcy Baldwin • Published: Apr 1, 2020 · Modified: May 17, 2022

    Dehydrated Chicken Jerky Treats for Dogs

    Dehydrated Chicken Jerky Treats for Dogs are one of the best ways to show your dog you love them, and save money in the meantime!

    Chicken jerky treats for dogs in a mason jar on a fence post

    Many jerky treats for dogs are made with chemicals we wouldn't eat ourselves, so why feed them to our best friend?

    This easy chicken jerky treat for dogs will make you feel better about what you're offering your fur babies. And it will make your fur babies extremely happy that you're doing it for them!

    ► Tip - before you get started, you can freeze your chicken breast or tenders for an hour or so to make slicing easier.

    Are these Dehydrated Chicken Jerky Treats Safe for Humans?

    Unfortunately, while dogs can eat just about anything, the human body cannot deal with chicken jerky prepared in this manner. Chicken jerky for humans must be thoroughly cooked first, then dried, to ensure that all harmful bacteria have been killed.

    What Kind of Chicken can I Use?

    • Breast
    • Tenders
    • Livers & gizzards - while they are not the focus of this particular process, they can also be done for dog treats.

    Do I Need a Dehydrator? What Kind?

    A dehydrator is a useful food preservation tool to have for putting away garden produce for use down the line. It's also great for making jerky for your family.

    I use an Excalibur Dehydrator, but have used a Nesco Dehydrator in the past. I've also shared some great tips for buying your first dehydrator including what to look for in a dehydrator, how to get them a little less expensively, and some great models in every price range.

    But to answer the question, no, you can use your oven, too, and those instructions are further down the page.

    And thanks to my Dad for grabbing these shots the last time he made jerky for his dog, Shelby!

    Chicken treats for dogs on a Nesco Dehydrator, and chicken jerky in a mason jar on a farm fence

    How to make Dehydrated Chicken Jerky in a Dehydrator

    1. Preheat your dehydrator to 160°F+/71°C

    Preheating allows the machine to get hot while you are preparing your strips, and keep your chicken at a safe temperature, longer.

    2. Slice your chicken breasts in ¼ slices

    Raw chicken slices on a wooden cutting board with a knife
    Your slices should be less than those on the left - ⅛-1/6" if possible - SUPER thin.

    Freezing for an hour or two ahead of time can help make this task a little easier.

    Be sure to trim away any visible fat. Fat is great except when dehydrating. Fat can go rancid quickly!

    3. Season with dog-friendly seasonings of choice.

    This is the point where you can sprinkle a little turmeric or ginger on your treats.

    4. Place on Dehydrator Trays

    raw chicken in two stages dehydrating on a presto dehydrator

    Dry @ 160°F/71°C for 10-12+ hrs

    It's helpful to set your dehydrator as high as it will go. You'll see a lot of recipes that call for 145°F degrees. Unfortunately, this is not a safe dehydrating temperature for chicken.

    And even feeding it to your dog, YOU are handling that meat. So keep it safe to kill the bacteria for you and your pet.

    Time will depend on how thick your chicken strips are, how powerful your machine is, the humidity in your home, etc. So begin checking, and keep checking until it is crispy and dry.

    Chicken jerky strips for dogs on a Presto dehydrator

    One More Tip: You might find that the jerky might be too pointy for your pup. You can either break the sharp points off, or you can make thicker pieces that are less likely to injure, and just know that it will take longer to dry.

    Dehydrated Chicken Jerky for Dogs in an Oven

    Preparation is the same for oven and dehydrator, so follow the above prep steps.

    1. Preheat oven to 250°F/121°C

    2. Slice chicken breast

    Thin strips between about ⅙" . Freeze for an hour to make slicing easier.

    3. Season with dog-friendly spices if desired

    Tumeric or ginger are good options.

    4. Place on an oven-safe rack over a cookie sheet

    5. Dry for 2-3 hours

    After the first hour or so, flip so that they are evenly dried. Check every half- hour after to get them dried, but not burnt.

    When is Dehydrated Chicken Jerky Done?

    When the chicken is crisp and leathery.

    Dehydrating Basics & Journal for Beginners and Beyond book ad

    How to Store Jerky?

    Once cooled, it is important to keep the chicken in an airtight container of your choice. Keep it in the fridge or store it in the freezer for longer-term storage.

    Dehydrated chicken jerky is not for long-term storage on the shelf. So be sure to keep it in the freezer.

    How Long do Chicken Jerky Treats Last?

    They can safely be stored in the fridge for up to a month. Beyond that, they should be stored in the freezer.

    You'll also see people keeping these on the shelf for longer. Chicken is a much leaner meat than beef, and you may be able to do it a little longer. But to be on the safe side, tuck it away in cold storage if you're going to keep it longer.

    How Much Does 1 Lb of Chicken Breast Make?

    Generally, you'll get about ½ weight of what you started with. So 1 lb of chicken breast will make approximately ½ lb. of jerky.

    More Dehydrated Dog Treat Ideas

    • Sweet Potato Chews
    • Chicken Jerky Treats for Dogs

    More Dehydrating

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      Instant Beef & Vegetable Soup in a Jar
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      Dehydrate Frozen Hash Browns
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      Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole with Dehydrated Hashbrowns
    • Easy apple pie fruit leather in sheets, rolls, and stored in a Weck jar.
      Easy Cinnamon Applesauce Fruit Leather

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beverly says

      March 01, 2023 at 7:52 am

      My dog loves dehydrated chicken and beef. She will stand near the counter where it sits and beg if I don’t remember that she always has some inthe afternoon. 😊 I’d much rather give her this than the chewies I’ve been buying which have all kinds of extra ingredients, including sorbitol that I noticed in one.. Easy to make too!

      Reply
    2. Maybelle says

      June 16, 2022 at 4:52 pm

      I like the idea of making the chicken treats for my dog. Can it be done by cooking the chicken first (either boil or bake) then dehydrate? How would that change the end result? I would like to do small pieces rather than a strip...smaller treats..kinda like small cubes. Would that change the temp?
      What are your thoughts?

      Reply
      • Darcy Baldwin says

        June 18, 2022 at 9:16 am

        You can cook it first - parboiling or pressure cooking - and shreds are fine for smaller dogs to manage. The temp doesn't change.

        Reply
    3. Tina D says

      March 28, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      Does all this go for chicken treats for cats too? Is this method safe for them to eat? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Darcy Baldwin says

        March 30, 2022 at 10:07 am

        You'll need to make pieces much smaller for cats - pressure canned chicken (whether you do it or storebought - might be a better option.

        Reply
    4. Lorryrae says

      April 12, 2021 at 6:21 pm

      I have been making home made dog food for my dogs for years, but I just started making treats too! I started with Peanutbutter/Pumpkin/Egg/Flour. They love them❤️I’m going to try the Chicken Jerky...wish me luck. Seems like I can’t do enough for my doggers!

      Reply
    5. Alena says

      January 17, 2021 at 9:40 am

      I dehydrated some beef, turkey, salmon treats for dog, now I'm making hearts, but mine dehydrator says 150 temperatures for 5-7 hours I always do 6 , but does it seems to be right???

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        January 17, 2021 at 9:50 am

        You do it for however long it takes them to be fully dry. Times given in manuals, on websites, etc. are a window - your time will vary.

        Reply
    6. Stephanie Shepherd says

      September 20, 2020 at 9:45 pm

      Thanks for this! I've been a little leery of dehydrating meat but my dogs love treats like this. I may give it a try and follow your advice to keep it frozen or refrigerated. Do you do any other kinds of meats for your dogs or just chicken?

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        September 22, 2020 at 8:54 pm

        I have only ever done chicken, but people do organ meats as treats for their dogs all the time.

        Reply
    7. Sandra Blac says

      August 03, 2020 at 3:15 pm

      Like what you have shared. I have a dehydrator but my chicken jerky is moist to the touch. I found mold on some of the first ones I did. Any suggestions on what to do for the next batch.

      Reply
      • Darcy says

        August 03, 2020 at 3:22 pm

        Dry it more until it's completely dry (not by the time, but by touch). Store it in the freezer for safest storage.

        Reply

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    Darcy Baldwin of The Purposeful Pantry.

    Howdy! I'm Darcy! I've spent twenty years learning how to stretch our budget and stock our family's pantry by dehydrating food. You can do it, too!

    Learn how I can help you →

    You can get my new book, Dehydrating Basics & Journal to help you get started on your dehydrating journey!

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