Discover how to make chicken jerky for dogs with this simple, healthy, and delicious DIY recipe. Perfect for your furry friend, this homemade treat is packed with flavor and free from preservatives—making it the ultimate snack for happy tails!
Welcome back to another post about my adventures with Luna, my sweet four-legged best friend. Today, we’re diving into an easy, DIY dog treat recipe: homemade chicken jerky marinated in apple cider vinegar. Luna absolutely loves it, and I bet your pup will too!
Ingredients for making dried chicken for dogs:
- Chicken breast (thinly sliced): I use the Purdue brand, but any brand will do.
- Apple cider vinegar
- Optional tools: Gloves, a large bowl, and a dehydrator.
How to make chicken jerky for dogs:
Prep the Chicken:
Take your chicken breast slices (around 3–6 thin slices per pack) and separate them. I usually prepare as much as my dehydrator can hold—in today’s case, 8 packs.
Make sure your cutting utensils and hands are clean to handle the raw chicken safely. Gloves help a lot!
Marinate chicken with apple cider vinegar:
Place the chicken slices in a large bowl. Pour in enough apple cider vinegar to coat the chicken evenly. Stir gently to ensure there are no air bubbles and all pieces are fully covered.
Let the chicken marinate for 5–10 minutes. This step gives the jerky a golden finish and prevents burning during the dehydration process.
Load the Dehydrator:
Arrange the marinated chicken on your dehydrator trays. Leave about an inch of space between slices to allow even drying.
Set your dehydrator to 165°F (or the recommended setting for poultry in your machine’s instructions) and let it run for about 24 hours.
Check and Store:
After 24 hours, the chicken should be golden, crisp, and thoroughly dried. Store the jerky in a large resealable bag—it’ll last for a couple of weeks, though with Luna around, it never lasts that long!
Luna’s Taste Test:
As soon as the dehydrator timer goes off, Luna knows what’s coming. Her tail wags like crazy when she gets a piece, and her eyes say it all: pure joy. Seeing her enjoy something homemade makes the effort so worth it.
If you give this recipe a try, let me know how your pup likes it! Making treats like these at home is such a fun way to bond with our furry friends. Until next time, happy treat-making!
