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Chicken and rice for dogs: the classic bland meal

The go-to bland meal for a dog with an upset stomach — plain chicken and rice, cooked simply, with the amounts and safety notes that matter.

By Emma Hart · NatBuddy editorial
July 4, 2026 · 5 min read
Chicken and rice for dogs: the classic bland meal

Chicken and rice is the classic meal for a dog with a mildly upset stomach — plain, gentle and easy to digest. It's a recipe to make for a short spell, not a long-term diet: lean chicken for protein, plain white rice for easy energy, and nothing else to irritate a sensitive gut.

The whole point is blandness. No oil, butter, salt or seasoning, no skin and no bones — just boiled chicken and boiled rice. Vets often suggest it for a day or two when a dog has had mild diarrhea or has been a bit off, alongside plenty of water.

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Use boneless, skinless chicken breast and cook it through completely. Boil or poach it (don't fry), then shred it and check there are no bones. White rice is easier on the stomach than brown for this.

The ratio that works

A common mix is about two parts cooked white rice to one part cooked chicken. Start with small portions a few times a day rather than one big bowl, which is gentler on a recovering stomach. As your dog improves, gradually reintroduce their normal food over a few days rather than switching straight back.

Plain boiled chicken and white rice, two-to-one — the gentlest meal for a poorly tummy.

Chicken and rice isn't complete and balanced for the long term, so it's a short-term helper, not a permanent diet. If the upset lasts more than a day or two, or your dog seems unwell, call your vet. Informational only — always consult your vet.

The recipe

Chicken and rice for dogs: the classic bland meal

Total time
About 25 minutes
Makes
About 3 cups — a starting point; scale to your dog's size and follow your vet's guidance
Ingredients
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 cup white rice, uncooked (about 3 cups cooked)
2 cups water, for cooking the rice
Water, for boiling the chicken
Steps
1

Boil or poach the chicken breast in plain water until fully cooked through, with no pink remaining.

2

Cook the white rice in the water until soft and the water is absorbed.

3

Let the chicken cool, then shred it and check carefully for any bones.

4

Mix roughly two parts rice to one part chicken, and let it cool to room temperature.

5

Serve small portions a few times a day, with fresh water always available.

Vet-informed and informational only. Chicken and rice is a short-term bland meal for a mild upset stomach, not a complete and balanced long-term diet. Feed it plain, reintroduce normal food gradually, and call your vet if the upset lasts more than a day or two, is severe, or your dog seems unwell.

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Informational only — not a substitute for veterinary advice. Recipes here are vet-informed and use no ingredients known to be toxic to dogs, but every dog is different. Consult your vet before changing your dog's diet.

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Emma Hart

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Emma Hart writes NatBuddy's dog-nutrition guides — the food-safety explainers, feeding math, and homemade recipes you'll find on this blog. She isn't a veterinarian, and nothing she writes replaces yours.

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