Oh, you know the struggle when you have a giant dog! Keeping them nourished with quality food is a full-time job, right? We pour over labels looking for the best Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs), but then training sessions come up, and suddenly you need 50 high-value rewards that won’t ruin their actual meal plan.
Thatโs exactly why I whipped up these Green Bean Chicken Training Treats! I want you to know right away these aren’t meant to replace their main dietโthey are purely functional rewards. I learned the hard way that too many rich treats turn into a tummy ache, and thatโs no help when youโre tackling advanced recall training. These are simple, fast, and perfect for rewarding those big wins without any complex fillers you see everywhere else. Trust me, your pupโs focus will be incredible!
Why These Green Bean Chicken Training Treats Work for Large Dogs
For large breeds, you need treats that hit the sweet spot between high-value motivation and easy digestion. We aren’t looking for filler ingredients here; we are looking for fuel that keeps the training momentum going! These little bites are designed specifically so you can reward frequently without worrying about overloading their system.
Hereโs why these simple additions make such a difference for your big guy or gal:
- Perfect for Repetition: They are small, about the size of a marble, which means you can give numerous rewards during a long session without adding unnecessary bulk to their daily calories. Big dogs need lots of reinforcement!
- Ingredient Transparency: When you make them yourself, you know exactly what’s going in. Unlike some store-bought options, there are no mystery meat meals or artificial preservatives lurking in here.
- Great Texture for Quick Rewards: We bake these until they are firm but still yield a little when squeezed. This texture is ideal because they don’t turn into rocks, but they also don’t crumble into tiny pieces that distract your dog.
- Simple, Real Protein Source: Cooked chicken is a fantastic, lean protein that most dogs adore. Itโs a reliable motivator because it tastes amazing and supports their big muscles. Check out more chicken-based recipes if you love using poultry!
Gathering Ingredients for Your Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs) Treats
Okay, now for the fun partโgetting our good stuff together! Since these are going into our dogโs system frequently during training, quality really matters, just like when we look for clean ingredients in our own food. The absolute number one rule? That chicken has to be plain. I mean itโabsolutely no salt, no onion powder, no garlic, no bones, nothing. We want pure, shredded protein power here to keep things clean and safe for sensitive tummies.
Think of this as building a solid foundation. The green beans add lovely fiber and some nutrients, and the flour acts as our binder to hold everything together so we can roll those perfect little training bites. Weโre keeping this recipe super straightforward, focusing on whole, recognizable components. You can find more inspiration for chicken-based full meals right here if youโre looking to scale up! Letโs look at exactly what you need for this batch.
Treat Ingredients List
- Treat Ingredients
- 8 oz cooked chicken, shredded (no seasonings or bones)
- 4 oz fresh green beans, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (Substitute alternatives for grain sensitivities)
- 1 large egg (Safe when treats are fully cooked)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Your Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs) Treats
Getting these easy treats together takes almost no time, which is perfect because when youโre training a large dog, you go through a lot of rewards quickly! Always start with your oven setup first; consistency in baking temperature is key to getting treats that are easy to chew but don’t fall apart in your pocket. Once the oven is warming up, we move straight to mixing everything!
Preparation and Mixing
First things first, get that oven humming at 350ยฐF. Seriously, donโt skip this! And line your baking sheet with parchment paper; trust me, youโll thank yourself later when you donโt have to scrape baked chicken bits off. Now, in a large bowl, we combine the dry powerhouses: the shredded chicken, those finely chopped green beans, and your whole wheat flour. Mix this trio really well until the flour coats everything evenly. You want that chicken and bean mixture to be thoroughly mixed before we add the wet stuff.
Next up, toss in the egg and that drizzle of olive oil. Mix this gently. We are aiming for a dough that just *barely* comes together. If you squeeze a piece in your hand, it should look like it wants to stick together. If it seems too crumblyโwhich happens if your chicken was extra dryโjust add a half teaspoon of water at a time until it holds. Avoid mixing too vigorously; we are making treats, not a tough rubber ball!

Shaping and Baking
This is where we tailor these for large dogs. Since you are rewarding constantly, you want them bite-sized but sturdy. I find rolling them into marble-sized balls works best. They bake evenly that way. You can keep them round or gently flatten them with a fork tip. If you have mini cookie cutters, now is the time to use them! Remember, consistency in size equals consistency in baking time.

Pop that packed baking sheet into the preheated oven. They need about 15 to 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You are looking for firmnessโthey should look golden brown around the edges and feel solid when you gently tap one. If they feel soft or squishy in the middle, give them another 3-5 minutes. Once theyโre done, pull them out and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Never give a warm treat to your dog; those little mouths are sensitive! If you want to see variations on other great meals, take a peek at these lentil and carrot combos.
Tips for Perfect Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs) Treats
Making treats that work well for a big dog in a training scenario requires a little finesse, mostly around texture and shape. You want them to be motivating, yes, but you also don’t want them to be so hard that your dog spends five minutes crunching away when you really need their attention back on you for the next command!
My goal here is “firm-but-tender.” They should snap nicely without crumbling everywhere, but they shouldn’t be rock-hard. If you find your dough is crumbling when you try to roll itโmaybe your chicken was drier than usualโdon’t panic or start dumping in more egg! That just makes things messy. Instead, just bring it back together with a tiny splash, maybe just half a teaspoon, of warm water or even low-sodium chicken broth if you have some handy. Mix that in very slowly until it just barely clumps.

On the flip side, if your dough feels greasy or sticks to your hands way too much, add your whole wheat flour, one level teaspoon at a time. Remember, we are using flour sparingly since this isn’t meant to be a dense, meal-replacement biscuit, just a binder. For my giant Lab, I try to keep the treats around the size of a fat jellybean. That size is usually big enough to feel like a real reward but small enough that he can swallow it quickly and refocus. Give these tips a try next time your dough isnโt behaving, and check out this beef and green bean recipe if you want to switch up the protein source!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs) Treats
When we talk about clean eatingโwhether for us or for our furry friendsโwe have to pay attention to every single ingredient, even the flours! I chose whole wheat flour here because itโs generally accessible and holds up well in the oven, giving us that nice structure we need for treats that won’t shatter. But I know so many of you deal with grain sensitivities, just like I try to monitor my own carb intake sometimes!
If your large dog has trouble with wheat, switching this out is super easy. You simply substitute the whole wheat flour with an equal amount of oat flour or brown rice flour. Both work beautifully as binders, keep the treat structure intact, and are usually much easier on sensitive digestion systems. You don’t need to change any other part of the recipe; just swap the grain! It’s these little clean swaps that make homemade dog food so much better for long-term health. If you’re thinking about other poultry options, check out this turkey recipe!
Storage and Making Ahead with Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs) Treats
Since we are making these training treats specifically for large dogs, you probably want to make a massive batch, right? Making a big load means less time in the kitchen and more time focusing on those perfect training sessions! The good news is these goodies store really well, provided you treat them like real foodโwhich they are!
You must cool the treats completely before you even *think* about putting them into a container. Warm treats create condensation, and that moisture is a fast track to mold, which we definitely don’t want lurking around. Once they are totally cool, put them into an airtight container. Since these treats contain fresh, real ingredients like chicken and egg, they are not built for days on the counter.
For short-term useโlike during an afternoon training session or maybe for a week of daily rewardsโkeep them in the refrigerator. They should be good for up to one week in there. Honestly, for my guy while we are focusing on intensive obedience, a weekโs batch is usually gone in about four days, but sticking to seven days is safe!
But if youโre batch cookingโwhich you should be for large breedsโyou need the freezer! Seal them tightly in freezer bags (I like to press out as much air as possible first) and they will last for about two to three months. When you need some, just pull out what you think youโll use in the next couple of days and let them defrost slowly in the fridge. Itโs just like meal prepping for myself, but for my dog! If youโre interested in other great batch-cooking ideas for larger meals, this resource on freezer-friendly dog food is a game-changer!
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs) Treats
I know youโve got questions! When youโre committed to providing the best for your big canine companion, especially when thinking about homemade options like the base Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs), you need clarity on the treats, too. Here are a few things I hear most often from owners making this recipe!
Are these treats a complete meal for my large dog?
Absolutely not, and this is super important! These are high-value, highly rewarding *training treats*. While they contain good ingredients like chicken and green beans, they don’t have the balanced mix of calories, calcium, and other elements needed for a full daily diet, especially for a growing or active large breed. Think of them as the perfect tiny reward for nailing that stay command, not dinner time! They are supplements to their main, balanced diet.
Can I use canned chicken instead of cooked, shredded chicken?
Oh, thatโs a smart shortcut question! You *can* use canned chicken in a pinch because itโs already cooked, but you have to be extremely careful about the liquid itโs packed in. If itโs packed in water, that’s okay, just make sure you drain it really well. If itโs packed in broth or saltโeven low sodiumโyou need to avoid it completely. The added sodium is a real concern for us when weโre making treats this frequently, so plain, previously cooked, shredded chicken is always my top recommendation!
How do I know if they are baked enough for my large dog?
Since you are aiming for a reward that wonโt crumble when you toss it or slip out of your hand, you want them firm. After 15 minutes, carefully take one treat off the sheet and let it cool for just a minute. Poke it gentlyโit should feel firm and slightly springy. If it feels mushy or doughy when you press it, they need another five minutes. Remember, since these are for high-frequency rewarding, you want them dry enough to snap, not soggy!
Why are these shaped small if I have a massive dog?
It seems counterintuitive, I know! But large dogs, especially those in active training, can handle a lot of calories quickly. If you make a giant treat, they spend the next five minutes happily crunching away while youโre trying to issue your next command. Small, marble-sized treats mean instant satisfaction, a quick swallow, and *immediate* refocus back on you. It keeps the training session fluid and engaging. They stack up quickly, but since they are low-impact ingredients, itโs fine for short sessions!

Understanding the Estimated Nutritional Value of This Chicken, Rice & Green Beans Homemade Dog Food (Large Dogs) Recipe
When youโre making something homemade, especially for a large dog who needs precise refueling, knowing the estimated numbers gives you peace of mind. These values really help you figure out how many of these treats you can safely offer during a long training day. Remember, these treats are supplements, not their full meal replacement, but it’s good to keep track!
Based on the specific ingredients and amounts used in this recipe, hereโs a look at the estimated nutrition per treat. Naturally, this is just an estimate, and the exact numbers will change slightly depending on the moisture content of your chicken or the specific brand of flour you grab.
- Calories: 50
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
These results show a nice, lean treat that gives a solid protein punch without too much fat, which is totally what we want for frequent rewards. If youโre interested in how these numbers compare to larger meal recipes, check out this list of amazing homemade meals for large dogs!
Share Your Success with Homemade Dog Food
I absolutely love hearing how these little nuggets of goodness are working out for your fuzzy companions! Youโve put in the work to make healthy, simple food for your big dog, and sharing that success is half the fun, isn’t it?
When you make these Green Bean Chicken Training Treats, please take a second to come back here and let me know how your dog reacted. Did they focus extra hard during your session? Did you have any issues with the shaping or baking process? Your feedback really helps the next person who tries this recipe, and honestly, knowing I helped make training a little easier for you and your crew makes my whole day!
Don’t be shy about snapping a picture of your pup performing an amazing trick while holding one of these treats! Tag us on social mediaโI always love seeing happy dogs getting healthy rewards. Itโs all about building this supportive community where we share what actually works in real life. If youโve got other great training hacks or ideas for using up extra chicken and beans, drop them in the comments below! And while youโre here, feel free to browse the rest of the training tips and tricks over on the Melt It Clean Dog Food Blog!
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.
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.

Green Bean Chicken Training Treats
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps with easy treat removal.
- Mix the dry ingredients first: the shredded chicken, chopped green beans, and flour. Mix these for even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Add the egg and olive oil. Mix gently until all ingredients hold together when you squeeze them.
- Roll the dough into marble-sized balls or use mini cookie cutters to shape the treats.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the treats are firm and golden brown. Check the texture to ensure they are correct for training.
- Cool the treats completely before giving them to your dog. Hot treats can cause burns.







