Oh my gosh, you guys, you know I get obsessive about what goes into my own body, right? Well, that clean-living bug totally jumped over to my sweet pup, Gus! I hate seeing all those mystery ingredients in commercial kibbleโitโs just frustrating when you want the absolute best for your furry family member. So, I started tinkering in the kitchen, and I landed on something truly spectacular: this Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs. It’s simple, itโs packed with whole foods, and honestly, the smell when it simmers is making me smell-test every batch! If youโre looking to ditch the fillers and serve up real nutrition, grab your biggest pot; weโre making magic!

Who Should Make This Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs
If youโre anything like me, you read every label, searching for whatโs *not* in your food. Guess what? That care shouldnโt stop at your dogโs bowl! This recipe is custom-made for the dog parent who is tired of mystery fillers and artificial anything in their pupโs diet. You want to see exactly where every nutrient comes from, and trust me, I get that desire for total control.
This soup is perfect as a topper to boost their regular meals or as a wholesome, easy-to-digest supplement when they need a little extra TLC. Remember, while this Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs is super nourishing, itโs best used alongside their primary diet unless your vet gives you the green light for full-time feeding. If youโre looking for other fun ways to get veggies into their bowl, check out some easy kitchen creationsโwe love making food fun!
Why This Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs is a Winner
When youโre making something by hand, you want to know itโs hitting all the right notes for your dogโs health. Honestly, thatโs why this Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs is on repeat at my house. Itโs all about nutrient density without any junk!
- Lean Protein Power: The chicken gives them all the muscle-building amino acids they need.
- Fiber & Vitamins: That sweet potato is packed with Vitamin Aโitโs basically sunshine in a bowl for their coat and eyes!
- Gut Happy Goodness: Lentils pack fiber to keep their digestive system running smoothly.
Plus, because itโs soup, itโs super easy to digest, which is fantastic if your pup has a sensitive tummy. If you need more ideas for happy mealtimes, poke around other meal ideasโweโve got tons!
Essential Equipment for Your Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs
Okay, equipment time! The good news here is that this recipe is super simple, meaning you don’t need a million fancy gadgets cluttering up your cabinets. Honestly, I hate cleaning up complicated cooking gear, so I keep this part really straightforward for us busy pet parents.
For your Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs, you really only need one main thing:
- A Large Pot: This is non-negotiable since weโre dealing with broth and simmering a whole pound of chicken.
Hereโs a little tip I learned the hard wayโalways use a heavy-bottomed pot if you have one! Since weโre cooking down lentils and potatoes, if you use a really thin aluminum pot, things have a nasty habit of sticking and scorching right to the bottom. We want nourishing soup, not burnt bits! This ensures everything cooks evenly and saves your scrubbing time later, which we all value!
Gathering Ingredients for Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs
Getting our supplies ready is half the fun, isnโt it? Once you see these beautiful, clean ingredients piled up, you just know youโre doing something good for your pup. When assembling your Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs, organization is everything, so I always group things the way the recipe shows. Let’s look at what we need to chop and measure!
Soup Base
This is where the powerhouse nutrition comes from. You want fresh, good quality stuff here because your dog can truly taste the difference, just like we can!
- We need 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighsโI usually stick to thighs because they keep things a little richer, but either works!
- One large sweet potatoโmake sure you peel that skin off and dice it up small so it breaks down nicely while simmering.
- One cup of dried lentils. Stick to green or brown lentils for this recipe; they hold their shape just enough while still getting beautifully tender.
- Four cups of low-sodium chicken broth. Okay, hear me out on this one because it is crucial, especially for our furry friends: low-sodium is a must! Their systems aren’t built to handle the salt we add to our soups, so always double-check that label. You can always add a tiny pinch of salt later for yourself if you taste it, but for them, keep it minimal.
- One cup of plain water, just to help it stretch out into a nice soupy consistency.
- One small carrot, diced finely.
- One celery stalk, chopped. This is a great way to sneak in extra hydration and nutrients!
- One tablespoon of good quality olive oil for getting that initial sear on the chicken.
If you are ever curious about making your own safe brothโbecause letโs be real, low-sodium options arenโt always availableโI highly recommend checking out this guide on safe chicken broth for dogs. It makes a huge difference!
Garnish
This part is mostly for looks, but dogs love the smell of parsley!
- Just a little bit of fresh parsley, chopped up fine, to sprinkle on top before serving those cooled portions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs
Making this soup is less about complicated cooking and more about letting great ingredients marry together slowly on the stove. Itโs almost foolproof, I promise! We are taking this recipe for Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs from raw ingredients to ready-to-eat goodness in about an hour. Just follow these simple steps, and youโll have a huge batch of delicious, clean fuel for your pup.
Preparing the Base Ingredients
First things first, get everything ready to go. You know I preach about mise en placeโit keeps stress levels low! Peel and dice your big sweet potato, and make sure your carrots and celery are chopped small. We want them tender enough to break down easily.
Next, grab that large pot. Set it over medium heat and drizzle in your tablespoon of olive oil. Wait until that oil is shimmering just a bit, then carefully add your chicken. You arenโt trying to cook it all the way through right now; we just want a nice little browning on both sides. This seals in flavor, and trust me, itโs worth the extra step!
Simmering the Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs
This is where everything comes together. Once your chicken has a little color, toss in all the good stuff: the diced sweet potato, carrots, celery, and those dried lentils. Give it a really good stir to coat everything in that little bit of chicken fat and oil.
Now, pour in your four cups of broth and the cup of water. Stir it all up one last time. Bring that mixture up to a rolling boil over higher heat. Once itโs bubbling happily, immediately turn the temperature down so it maintains a gentle simmer. You need to let this cook for about 40 minutes. Keep an eye on the liquid level, but generally, let it simmer until those lentils are perfectly soft and the chicken is completely cooked through. And hey, double-check: is that broth definitely low-sodium? Good work!

Finishing and Cooling
Once itโs done simmering, the last decision is about texture. Puppies or older dogs might prefer it super smooth, in which case you can use an immersion blender right in the pot to whip everything into a delicious, smooth texture. If your dog likes chewing his food, however, just leave it chunky! I sometimes blend half and leave half chunky. Itโs all about what your particular dog enjoys eating. The most important step, though? Take it off the heat and let it cool down thoroughly. Serving piping hot soup, even dog-safe stuff, is never a good idea. You can find tons of tips on other quick and easy homemade dog food options if you want to mix things up later!

Tips for Perfect Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs
Even though this is a straightforward recipe, I always have a few little tricks up my sleeve to make sure Gus eats every last drop of his Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs! Trust me, these small adjustments are what turn a good soup into a โlick-the-bowl-cleanโ masterpiece.
Here are the top things I always remember:
- The Simmer Check: We talked about simmering for 40 minutes, but always check the lentils! They should be completely softโno resistance at all when you mash one against the side of the pot with a spoon. If theyโre still a bit firm, just add another half-cup of water (or broth) and let it ride for another 10 minutes. We need that perfect texture.
- Chicken Shredding Secret: Don’t just leave the chicken in big chunks if your dog is a picky eater. Once itโs cooked through, take two forks and shred it right in the pot. The shredded texture blends much better with the lentils and sweet potato, making it look more appealing and less like a giant piece of meat floating in broth.
- Temperature Control is Key: I know we mentioned cooling, but Iโm stressing it again because itโs so important! Always serve this soup at room temperature or slightly warm. If itโs too hot, you risk burning your pup, and if it’s too cold, well, sometimes they turn their nose up. A quick stir ensures the heat is uniform throughout.
If you ever want to see some other ways vets approve of adding variety to your dogโs diet, you should definitely browse this list of vet-approved recipes. It always gives me peace of mind when Iโm trying new things!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for This Dog Soup
I always get asked if you absolutely *have* to use chicken, or if you can swap out the lentils because Sparky gets gassy after eating them. Thatโs a totally valid concern! We want this soup to be helpful, not cause tummy troubles. The beauty of homemade food is flexibility, but when it comes to our dogs, we always have to proceed with a little caution.
When swapping out core ingredients, think about what nutrient you are replacing. Protein is protein, so if chicken isnโt working for whatever reasonโmaybe your dog has a specific allergyโlean turkey works beautifully! It cooks down in almost the exact same way. If youโre worried about getting enough fiber because your dog doesn’t tolerate lentils well, you can absolutely pivot here.
If lentils cause bloat, you might switch them out for half a cup of brown rice added when you add your liquid. It offers great slow-release energy, though it won’t give you the same protein boost as the lentils. Remember, Iโm sharing what works in my kitchen, but before you permanently change your dogโs core diet, please, please, chat with your holistic vet first. They know your dogโs specific needs best!

For vegetable swaps? Sweet potatoes are generally safe and wonderful, but you can try using butternut squash if you have that on hand instead. Just make sure you skip any vegetable that is known to be toxic to dogsโI shouldn’t even have to say it, but onions and garlic are absolute no-gos here! For more ideas on vegetable blends, you can look at my notes on simple lentil and veggie mixes; they might give you inspiration for your next batch!
Storing Leftovers of Your Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs
Okay, the only tough part about making a big batch like this is knowing how to properly store the leftovers of your Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs so it stays fresh for the whole week. You definitely don’t want to be making this every single day when you could be relaxing!
I always make sure everything is completely cool before I put it away. Trying to store soup that is still radiating heat is a recipe for disasterโit raises the temperature of everything else in your fridge, which isn’t great for food safety, right?
For the short term, refrigeration is your best friend. You can definitely keep this soup sealed up tight in airtight containers in the fridge for about four to five days. I use my glass containers because they don’t hold onto odors, and they go straight from the fridge to the microwave without any fuss.
Reheating the Dog Soup
When itโs time to serve it up, don’t just serve it ice-cold out of the fridge. While Gus sometimes grabs a cold piece if Iโm rushing, itโs much betterโand frankly, much more appetizing to himโif itโs gently warmed up.
Use the microwave on a medium setting for about 30 seconds, stirring halfway through. You want it lukewarmโnot hot enough to cause internal steam burns for your dog, but warm enough to smell amazing! If youโre making a huge batch, you can also heat a portion gently on the stovetop in a small saucepan just until it reaches that perfect serving temperature.
Freezing for Future Meals
If you canโt use it all within five days, freezing is the only answer! This recipe scales up so well, and it freezes almost perfectly. I portion mine out into small, freezer-safe bags or ice cube trays (if I only made a half batch). For larger batches, the bags work best; just flatten them out before freezing so they stack nicely in the freezer. It keeps well frozen solid for up to three months.
When youโre ready to use a frozen batch, transfer it to the fridge the night before you plan to feed it, and treat it like fresh leftovers then. It thaws beautifully. I even found this great deep dive on general storage methods for homemade dog food that covered freezing techniques I use for other meals, too!
Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Dog Food
I always get a ton of questions when I post about making food for Gusโand thatโs awesome! Transparency is everything when youโre cooking for your best friend. We want to make sure weโre covering the basics before we start whipping up a new batch of soup. Here are the most common things folks ask!
Is this soup a complete meal for my dog?
That is such an important question, and the short answer is: usually no, not on its own! This recipe is fantastic because itโs loaded with whole, clean chicken, veggies, and legumes, which makes it an amazing booster or supplement to their regular, balanced meal plan. Think of it like a super-healthy gravy or topper. If youโre considering switching entirely to homemade food, you absolutely must talk to your veterinarian or a certified canine nutritionist first! They need specific vitamin and mineral ratios that a simple soup might miss.
Can I use other vegetables in this recipe?
Yes, you totally can get creative here, but you have to stick to the dog-safe list! Besides sweet potato and carrots, pups generally love green beans, pumpkin puree (great for digestion!), or even a little bit of chopped zucchini. Please, please, please, never add onions or garlicโthose guys are toxic to dogs and will absolutely ruin a perfectly good batch of soup. Stick to the veggies that you know agree with your dogโs stomach, and introduce new ones very slowly!
How long can I safely store this soup?
Because we used low-sodium broth and didnโt add any preservatives, we are working with a tight timeline here, just like with any fresh leftovers. Once everything is cooled down completely, seal your portions tightly and you can safely store the leftovers in the refrigerator for about four to five days max. If you make a huge batch and know you won’t get through it that fast, pop the extras into freezer-safe containers right awayโthey freeze beautifully for a few months!
For more general tips on keeping your homemade creations fresh and safe, you can always look over my notes on the general articles on my blog; Iโve covered safety a bunch of times!
Share Your Homemade Dog Food Creations
Alright, thatโs it! Youโve made a fantastic, clean, and totally loving batch of Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs. I am so excited for your pup to try this; I hope they love it as much as Gus does!
Now that you have this delicious, vet-approved goodness ready to go, I would absolutely love to see it! Did you leave it chunky or blend it smooth? Did your dog give you that excited little tail wag when you served it?
Head over to social media and snap a picture of your bowlโtag me so I can see your amazing work! Seriously, sharing these successes keeps us all going in the right direction for real wellness. And please, don’t be shy about leaving a comment right here on the page. Did you have an ingredient swap that worked wonders? Did you have a question about the simmering time? Drop all your feedback below. Thatโs how we build a community that supports clean, intentional living, even for our four-legged friends!
By EMILIA, founder of MeltItClean.com
Hi, Iโm EMILIA, the founder of MeltItClean.com โ your digital space for natural weight loss, real wellness habits, and clean-living inspiration that actually fits your life. You can read more about my journey over at my ‘About Me’ page!
For years, I struggled with the ups and downs of dieting. I tried everything โ juice cleanses, low-carb crazes, fitness challenges โ but I always ended up back where I started: tired, bloated, and frustrated. I didnโt just want to โlose weightโ โ I wanted energy, mental clarity, glowing skin, and confidence without sacrificing my joy or sanity.
After years of experimenting, learning, and unlearning, I discovered a simple truth: your body is already powerful โ it just needs support, not restriction. Thatโs when I created Melt It Clean โ a site dedicated to real transformation through clean, intentional, and nourishing daily habits that anyone can follow.
My goal was simple: build a place where people could feel informed, supported, and empowered without being overwhelmed by wellness fads.

Chicken Sweet Potato Lentil Soup for Dogs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Gather all ingredients and chop the sweet potato, carrot, and celery.
- In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, cook the chicken until browned on both sides.
- Add sweet potato, carrots, celery, lentils, chicken broth, and water to the pot. Stir well.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 40 minutes until lentils are tender and chicken is fully cooked.
- Blend if you want a smoother texture or leave it chunky based on your dog’s preference.
- Allow the soup to cool slightly before serving it to your dog.








