With all the horror stories of dogs becoming sick, or even dying, from eating contaminated jerky treats, more and more people are searching for ways to make their own. It is actually really easy to do, and costs a fraction of what the treats in the store do.
What you will need:
An oven
Chicken breast with excess fat trimmed off *
Sharp, non-serrated knife
* To make the chicken easier to slice, you can bake it first, as if making it for yourself for dinner. Or you can use slightly frozen chicken, but remember cooking times will be longer.
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
2 . Slice chicken breast into thin strips, about 1/4 inch thick (or smaller, if you can). Slice with the grain, not against it. This will make the strips chewier, thus lasting a bit longer.
3. Arrange the chicken strips on a greased cookie sheet. Remember to use one with a raised edge, or line the bottom of your oven with foil to collect the juices.
4. Bake for 2-2 1/2 hours, or until strips are dry. They should not be so dry that they break when bent, but they should be dry and chewy.
5. Extra pieces can be placed in a zip-lock bag or airtight container and stored in the fridge. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
For extra money savings, keep your eyes out for packages of marked down chicken breasts in the supermarket. These packages are often nearing their sell-by date, but if frozen or cooked right away are perfectly fine. This recipe is also a great way to use up chicken breasts that may have gotten a tad freezer burned.
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