Chicken dellychurros
These snacks didn’t start out as churros – a friend decided they look like churros and bingo, add ‘delly’, and they have a name.
In fact, I was looking for a quick way to make training treats for a leftovers mixture that was slightly too solid for the silicone treat baking mat. So, I decided to experiment with the piping bag and it worked a treat (pardon the pun!). One added benefit of the piping bag is that you can cut pieces to whatever size you prefer. Very small for training treats or larger if you want a more generous snack.
This recipe has also already proved very popular with our usual tasting panel.
Chicken dellychurros
Ingredients:
120g sous vide chicken
90g wilted spinach stalks and leaves
125g carrots, steamed and pureed
140g sorghum
15 g oven dried salmon skins, finely chopped
75g rolled oats
25g malt
10 g nutritional yeast
3 medium eggs
* See below for the benefits of the individual ingredients at a glance.
Method:
Sorghum, chicken and spinach and carrot puree
Add remaining ingredients. Mix to form a loose dough.
Place dough in piping bag and pipe “churros” onto baking sheet, leaving enough space for turning half way.
If only using one baking sheet, place on bottom shelf. Cook at 175*C for 30 minutes. Move to middle shelf, cook for further 5 minutes, turn off oven and leave churros in oven as it cools.
I used two baking sheeets for this mixture.
Obviously, using two baking sheets on different racks means that you’ll need to swap the baking sheets between the shelves during baking, as placement in the oven makes a difference – even without the fan assist.
Place baking sheets on middle and lower shelves. Cover churros on middle shelf (only) with baking parchment.
Bake at 175*C for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, turn churros on middle shelf over to ensure even cooking. Replace in oven, still covered.
After a further 15 minutes remove baking parchment, swap baking sheet from the middle shelf to low shelf and baking sheet from low shelf to middle shelf. Bake for a further 5-10 minutes, depending on how soft/crispy you want your treats to be. Leave churros in oven as it cools.
Ingredients: the benefits at a glance
Cooked chicken meat is a high-quality, lean protein source with high nutritional value that supports muscle maintenance and repair. It provides essential amino acids, which are vital for overall growth, immune function, and cellular health. Chicken is also rich in B vitamins, particularly B6 and niacin, which aid in energy metabolism and brain function. Additionally, chicken meat contains important minerals like phosphorus and selenium, which contribute to bone strength, immune support, and antioxidant protection. Given the risk of salmonella and other infections, I don’t feed chicken raw but cook it plain, usually by steaming or poaching. Note: For most dogs, chicken meat is easy to digest but its widespread usage in dog foods has likely led to more common allergies to this ingredient[1].
Carrots are packed with antioxidants like beta-carotene, which support overall health and the immune system, and are also a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for healthy vision. There are also rich in dietary fibre, which supports gut health, and contain key minerals that are good for bones and muscle and nerve function.
Spinach is a nutrient-rich leafy green that provides vitamins A, B, C, and K, which support vision, immune function, and blood clotting. It also offers minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, contributing to energy metabolism and muscle function. Spinach also contains antioxidants, including beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, which help combat oxidative stress and support eye health. However, although rich in vitamins and minerals, spinach should be fed in moderation because its high oxalate content can reduce calcium absorption.
Eggs are a highly nutritious ingredient. Containing all essential amino acids, they are a complete protein for dogs. They provide vitamin A, which supports vision, immune function and skin health; a host of B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12), which aid in energy metabolism, brain function and red blood cell production; vitamin D, for calcium absorption and bone strength; and vitamin E, which supports immune function and protects against oxidative damage. Eggs are also a rich source of choline, which supports cognitive function and liver health. Important minerals also found in eggs, including selenium, iron and phosphorus, contribute to immune support, oxygen transport and bone health. The yolk contains healthy fats and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which promote eye health. And don’t throw away those shells: they are approximately 95% calcium!
Sorghum flour is a gluten-free grain, rich in fibre, vitamins, protein, essential minerals such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium. Nutritional and health benefits include muscle maintenance and repair, digestive health support, blood sugar management and heart health. Sorghum flour is also rich in antioxidants, including phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which help reduce oxidative stress and support immune function.
Malt extract powder is made from barley grains that are sprouted, ‘kilned’ and cleaned. Malt extract is rich in carbohydrates and sugars. It also contains B vitamins, protein and trace elements which support energy metabolism, brain function and nerve health. Its natural sweetness and rich, malty flavour enhances the taste of baked goods and is popular with dogs. Owing to sugar content it should be used in moderation but fear not: a little goes a long way!
Nutritional yeast is a nutrient-rich supplement with a savoury flavour. It’s that flavour that makes yeast extracts a common palatability enhancer in commercial dog food, in addition to the nutritional benefits. For example, nutritional yeast is high in B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, and B12) that support energy metabolism, cognitive function and cell health. It’s also a good source of protein, promoting muscle maintenance and repair. Minerals such as iron, magnesium, and potassium support muscle function, nerve health, and the immune system. And last but by no means least, antioxidants like glutathione help reduce oxidative stress and promote overall wellness.
Salmon skins are a nutrient-dense ingredient that can be dried easily in the oven. These healthy treats contain omega-3 fatty acids, natural collagen and protein, all of which contribute to heart health, brain and eye function – not to mention muscle maintenance and joint mobility. They are also rich in antioxidants like astaxanthin, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation. Ensure they are sourced from high-quality salmon and served in moderation. Also avoid feeding to young puppies to avoid digestive ‘mishaps’.
Rolled oats are a nutritious, easily digestible whole grain that provides protein and soluble dietary fibre to support gut health, digestion and blood sugar stabilisation. Incorporating oats into a dog’s diet provides a range of essential nutrients that support overall health. They are a great source of complex carbohydrates, offering sustained energy release, especially for active dogs. Oats also contain vitamins E, K, B6 and B9, which aid energy metabolism and brain function, and essential minerals like iron, magnesium and phosphorus, which contribute to muscle function, bone strength and overall wellness. They also have powerful antioxidants, known as avenanthramides, which can help with skin allergies and sensitivities. Rolled oats are generally quicker to cook and easier to digest.
[1] Biel W, Natonek-Wiśniewska M, Kępińska-Pacelik J, Kazimierska K, Czerniawska-Piątkowska E, Krzyścin P. Detection of chicken DNA in commercial dog foods. BMC Vet Res. 2022 Mar 9;18(1):92. doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03200-z. PMID: 35264164; PMCID: PMC8905904.
Important Considerations:
- Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
- If you are feeding commercial food, check the label for ingredients before giving more. Excessive intake of any foods can have adverse effects.
- Ensure (where possible) that you use high-quality, organic products specifically formulated for pets (or better still, human grade ingredients) to avoid any potential adverse effects.
- Introduce new foods gradually to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
- I provide nutritional information purely as a helpful guide. Nutritional information on ingredients is obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central site (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html) and any nutritional information provided in recipes is based on an online calculator: calories and other information will vary based on brands, ingredients and other factors.
- Check nutrient levels and recommendations for your dog’s weight, age and activity. For example this nutritional guideline produced by FEDIAF.
- I am not a professional canine nutritionist but supporting research is cited.
- The recipes shared were created by me and tested in my kitchen – and tasted and approved by our doggy friends!