Okra & Chicken Breast Dog Treats (Dehydrated)

Spoil your furry friend with these healthy, homemade pet treats. Fresh okra halves are filled with a lean chicken breast paste and dehydrated into a chewy, nutrient-packed snack.

Ingredients

• 10-12 fresh green okra pods
• 200 g boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 pinch white sesame seeds

Instructions

1. 1Blanch the Okra

   

   Place the raw green okra into a pot of boiling water. Blanching the okra helps remove the oxalic acid, making it safer and healthier for your dog to consume.

   Tip: Do not boil the okra for too long; you just want to blanch it quickly so it retains its structure for filling later.
2. 2Trim the Stems

   

   Once the okra is blanched and slightly cooled, transfer it to a clean cutting board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice off the tough stems and the tips of each pod.

   Tip: Wearing food-safe gloves can help keep your hands clean, as the interior of the okra can be quite sticky and slimy.
3. 3Halve the Okra

   

   Take each trimmed okra pod and slice it straight down the middle lengthwise. This creates two boat-like halves that will eventually hold the chicken paste filling.

   Tip: Use a smooth slicing motion to ensure you get clean, even halves without crushing the delicate vegetable.
4. 4Scoop Out the Seeds

   

   Gently use your fingers to scoop out the white pith and seeds from the center of the halved okra pods. You can reserve this scooped-out portion to blend in with the meat later, depending on your dogs specific dietary needs.

   Tip: Be gentle during this step so you do not tear the outer skin of the okra boats.
5. 5Prepare the Chicken Breast

   

   Take a clean, raw chicken breast and remove any visible fat. Place it on the cutting board and slice it into smaller, manageable chunks to prepare it for the food processor.

   Tip: Slightly freezing the chicken breast for about 15-20 minutes before cutting makes it firmer and much easier to slice cleanly.
6. 6Add to Food Processor

   

   Transfer the chunks of raw chicken breast directly into the bowl of a clear food processor. Make sure the blades are securely attached before adding the meat.

   Tip: Avoid overloading the food processor. If you are making a large batch, process the chicken in smaller batches to ensure a completely smooth paste.
7. 7Combine with Okra Seeds

   

   Add the reserved okra pith and seeds directly into the food processor alongside the chicken chunks. Including these inner seeds adds extra nutritional value to the snacks.

   Tip: Distribute the seeds evenly over the chicken so they blend more uniformly into a smooth paste.
8. 8Blend to a Paste

   

   Process the chicken and okra seeds together until they form a smooth, uniform meat paste without any large chunks.

   Tip: If the mixture seems too thick or uneven, pause to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula before blending again.
9. 9Transfer to Piping Bag

   

   Using a spatula, carefully scoop the blended meat mixture out of the food processor and transfer it into a disposable piping bag. Snip a small opening at the tip for easy filling.

   Tip: Place the empty piping bag into a tall glass and fold the edges over the rim to keep it steady while you fill it.
10. 10Fill the Okra

    

    Take the prepared okra halves and carefully pipe the chicken paste directly into the hollowed-out centers, filling them evenly from end to end.

    Tip: Apply gentle, consistent pressure from the top of the piping bag to ensure an even layer of meat and to avoid air pockets.
11. 11Garnish with Sesame Seeds

    

    Arrange the meat-filled okra halves onto your dehydrator trays, leaving some space between them. Sprinkle a pinch of white sesame seeds over the exposed chicken paste for a final touch.

    Tip: Press the sesame seeds lightly into the paste if needed so they adhere well and do not fall off during the drying process.
12. 12Dehydrate the Snacks

    

    Slide the loaded trays into the dehydrator. Set the machine to 65°C (150°F) and let them dry for about 15 hours, or overnight, until completely firm and thoroughly dehydrated.

    Tip: Check on the treats toward the end of the drying cycle; thicker layers of meat may require an additional hour or two to dry safely.

Storage Instructions

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions