How To Slice Chicken To Make Jerky
Raw chicken is notoriously slippery to work with. To make the chicken easier to handle, place the chicken in the freezer for 45 minutes to an hour and half to firm it up. You dont want the chicken to freeze completely though as it will be impossible to slice. You just want it to hold its shape while you cut it.
Slice your chicken between ¼ and ½ inch thick. Try to be consistent with how thick your cuts are so that all your meat dries at the same rate. Dont cut strips too much over ½ inch or the inside of the cut may not dry out properly.
If you want to get a visual tutorial on how to slice the meat, check out this video.
Seasoning For 5 Lbs Of Sliced Chicken
- 3 Tbsp. Bradley Honey Cure
- 4 tsp. pepper, black
- 1 tsp. hickory smoke flavour
- 1 tsp. cayenne
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. poultry seasoning
- 6 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 1/2 cups white cranberry-apple juice or white cranberry-peach juice
- 4 cups cold water
Note: If the meat weighs either more or less than 5 pounds , the amount of cure mix applied must be proportional to that weight. For example, if the weight of the meat is 2 1/2 pounds , then each ingredient, including the Bradley Cure, needs to be cut in half.
Chicken Jerky Dog Treats
If you’re looking for all natural dog treats that are easy to make at home, these chicken jerky dog treats are what you need to make!
All Natural Homemade Dog Treats
If youre wild about your dogs and want to show them how much you love them, I promise your dogs will go wild for these homemade chicken jerky dog treats. While the process of dehydrating the chicken does take some time, this is a single ingredient recipe and is super easy to do, whether youre using a traditional oven or an air fryer oven. Theres also the added benefit of knowing exactly what is in the treats you are giving to your furry companions, or more specifically knowing what is NOT in these dog treats no preservatives, dyes or other unpronounceable ingredients. You can add these treats to other homemade dog treat recipes like my Sweet Potato and Apple Dog Treat Twists, the No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Puppy Treats and my Blueberry Pup Muffins to keep your pups happy all the time.
How to make Chicken Jerky
The first step to making these chicken jerky dog treats is to freeze a chicken breast for just a couple of hours. This makes the chicken firm enough to slice into very thin slices, which is key. Of course, this is your opportunity to choose the quality of the chicken you are feeding to your pooches organic, free-range, etc
Oven vs Air Fryer
Time and Temperature for Chicken Jerky
How to Store Chicken Jerky
- Cook Time: 2h15m
- Freezing Time: 1h
- Total Time: 3h25m
- Servings:
Instructions
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Chicken Jerky Marinade Ingredients:
Making jerky requires some preparation. The first step is making the marinade. To do this, combine 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke, 1/2 cup Italian dressing, and 1/2 cup Teriyaki sauce. Mix them in the bottom of a large shallow dish.
The 1 1/2 2 pounds of partially frozen chicken breast is prepared by removing the fat and gristle. It is then sliced into 1/4 inch thick strips. I use my meat slicer but a knife would work as well. It is important that the meat be partially frozen still to make it easier to cut. Once all the chicken is cut place it with the marinade and turn it to coat it well. Place the marinating chicken breast covered in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours and turn it a few times to coat all surfaces.
Disclaimer: The USDA recommendation is for the interior of the chicken to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit for safe consumption. Not all dehydrators reach that temperature. If yours doesnt you could place the chicken on a baking tray and place it in the oven at 200-225 degrees until the inside temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees then start the dehydration process.
Whats The Best Way To Make Chicken Jerky In The Oven
Chicken breasts should be cut into 14-inch thick pieces. Place slices on a greased cookie sheet, spacing them out at least 12 inches apart. Preheat the oven to 200°F and bake for two hours. Check the slices after two hours to see if they are dry. This is accomplished by placing the meat on a cookie sheet and baking it for about 10 minutes at 300°F. This can be done either before or after dehydration. Food safety is crucial when producing jerky, especially chicken or turkey jerky.
Preheat the oven to 175 degrees F when ready to bake. Place baking racks on top of 2-3 big rimmed baking sheets that have been lined with foil. Drain the marinade off the steak and arrange the strips on the baking racks in a single layer. Bake, the beef jerky for 3-4 hours, or until the texture is to your liking. Place the pork strips on the trays of a dehydrator. Dry for 5-7 hours at 145°F or until totally dry .
Read Also: What’s General Tso’s Chicken
Where To Buy A Dehydrator
A dehydrator is a machine that helps preserve food by removing moisture from foods, usually dried fruit or vegetables. This helps to preserve the food. The three main types of dehydrators are: food dehydrators, commercial dehydrators, and home dehydrators. Food dehydrators are designed to be used with food. They use heat and air to remove moisture from food. These can be found in food stores or at home improvement stores. Commercial dehydrators are designed to be used in commercial situations, such as food factories. These are typically large units that use forced air or hot air to remove moisture from food. Home dehydrators are the smallest dehydrators. They are typically small units that use fans or air, heat, and moisture to remove moisture from food.
Is It Possible To Freeze Homemade Chicken Jerky
They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to a month, and they should be kept in the freezer after that. People will also keep things on the shelf for long periods. If you still have your beef jerky in its original packaging from the manufacturer, you can freeze the bag itself. Your best bet is to keep the original package. When transferring beef jerky from an open package into an airtight container, its best to do so immediately.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends keeping dried meats in an unrefrigerated location for two weeks. After that, store the dehydrated jars in the freezer or refrigerator for up to a year. Mold growth will be limited if oxygen exposure is kept to a minimum. If youve opened a pack of jerky and want to keep it fresh and avoid mold, store it in an airtight container. It doesnt need to be flawless, but the less air there is, the better.
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What Is The Shelf Life Of Homemade Chicken Jerky
This jerky will keep in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature, and it can be kept in the fridge for up to two weeks. Whether you vacuum-seal the packaging or not makes a difference when it comes to handmade jerky. If thats the case, the meat should keep in the pantry for 1 to 2 months and even longer in the fridge. If not, a month at room temperature and 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge are reasonable estimates. After first airtight packaging, your handmade jerky should survive 1-2 months if you follow the methods below.
Jerky will last about a week in ziplock style bags in a dark cupboard jerky will keep 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. Properly dried jerky will last two weeks at room temperature in a sealed container. Refrigerate or freeze jerky for optimum results, increased shelf life, and the greatest flavor and quality. If you prepare your jerky, its best to consume it within two months. It can last as long as store-bought jerky if properly prepared and vacuum-sealed. A commercially manufactured and packaged jerky can last for 12 years.
Smoked Chicken Jerky Recipe
Skinned and boned thighs of the chicken are the best material for making chicken jerky. It is very easy to remove the bone from a chicken thigh. First, lay the thigh skin-side-down on a cutting board. Locate the bone with your fingers, and make a long slit through the flesh that is on top of the bone. Stroke along the bone with the tip of the knife. The flesh will gradually peel away from the bone. Remove the skin.
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Want More Homemade Healthy Dog Treat Recipes
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Now in its 2nd edition, 52 Weeks of Treats has over 30 healthy DIY dog treat recipes including everything from summer Blueberry Pupsicles to hearty winter Beef Bites.
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Tools Needed To Make Chicken Jerky
There are only a few tools you need to make chicken jerky at home. These tools include a sharp knife, a clean cutting board, a food dehydrator, or if you dont have a food dehydrator, a cooling rack and a baking sheet you can leave in the oven. Lets go over these one by one.
- Sharp Knife: In order to cut the meat cleanly and easily you need to make sure you have a sharpened knife. Believe me, it makes a difference when slicing the meat. If your knife is dull you may end up with ragged, unevenly thick pieces that will dry at different rates.
- Clean Cutting Board: Remember when working with raw chicken its important to keep all your utensils you use in preparation separate from other items in the kitchen to prevent cross contamination.
- Food Dehydrator: You can purchase a food dehydrator for as little as $60, and they get more expensive the more bells and whistles they have. If youre going to do any emergency preparedness at all, I strongly suggest purchasing a food dehydrator. Its much more efficient than using the oven to dehydrate food.
- Cooling Rack and Baking Sheet: If you dont want to purchase a food dehydrator you can absolutely use your oven to dry out food. Simply place your chicken on a cooling rack over a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. The baking sheet will catch any drippings, whether fat or sauce, and make cleanup easier.
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How To Make Chicken Dog Jerky In The Air Fryer
All you need to make these treats is a boneless, skinless chicken breast. Thats it!
Step 1: First thing you want to do is slice the chicken breast into uniform thin pieces. The size and thickness of the pieces will determine how long it will need to air fry.
TIP: Use a frozen chicken breast and let it thaw for a little bit. It will be much easier to slice. You can see the plate below for how thin I sliced it.
TIP 2:Slice the chicken with the grain for a chewy piece of jerky.
Step 2: Spray your air fryer trays or basket with nonstick cooking spray and lay the chicken slices on them. Dont overlap or crowd them if you can.
Step 3: Set your air fryer for 180°F and cook for 2 hours. Yours might take more time or less time depending on how thin you cut your chicken breast. You know when they are done they are hard and not spongy to the touch.
Step 4: Let them cool and then store in baggie in the refrigerator. They should last for up to a week.
I dont know if these are Izzys favorite treats or not because she seems to like them all LOL!
However I feel better about giving them to her because I know they dont have any artificial ingredients or preservatives. Also I like cooking for my loved ones and she is definitely a loved one!
I hope you enjoyed this simple homemade dog jerky. If you want more healthy dog treats, here are my 6 homemade dog treats post so you can check them out.
Easy Chicken Jerky Recipe For Dogs
I prefer to make these popular homemade dog treats for my dogs rather than purchase chicken jerky. You can make it in the oven at home quickly and easily with just one ingredient: chicken!
The chicken jerky recipe is made from thin strips of chicken that have been slow-cooked almost to the point of crispness.
Slicing the chicken is the most time-consuming part the chicken should be baked for a few hours to become chewy like jerky.
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What Kind Of Meat Is Best For Jerky
Top Round, Bottom Round, Lifter, and Pectoral are the greatest cuts of meat for beef jerky, although other cuts like Flank Steak and Skirt Steak can also be utilized. These cuts of beef meet all of the criteria for beef jerky: theyre affordable, lean, and flavorful. While the best cuts are top round, bottom round, pectoral, and lifter, flank and skirt steak can also be used to produce jerky. All of these beef cuts are lean, inexpensive, and flavorful. Lets look at a few different meat cuts and see how to pick the best ones for making beef jerky.
Jerky in commercial packaging lasts roughly a year. A packages best-by date is usually included, and its a good place to start. As long as you keep the packaging unopened, the meat should be fine for a month or two after the expiration date. Or even longer if its high in preservatives. Beef jerky is high in zinc, iron, vitamin B12, phosphorus, folate, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. Its also portable and has a long shelf life, making it a wonderful on-the-go solution.
How To Make Chicken Jerky
If youre seeking directions on making chicken jerky, youve come to the right place. Chicken jerky is a high-protein, high-nutrient superfood. Unlike beef or turkey jerky, chicken jerky is made from lean chicken breast marinated in honey and garlic sauce. Here are the steps to create your delicious chicken jerky. Enjoy! However, before we begin, lets go through everything youll need.
Chicken jerky is a popular snack item, and its simple and inexpensive to make at home. You can even make spicy jerky with spices in your pantry. Just make sure the meat is completely dry after cooking. Then, please put it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. But keep in mind that the meat must reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe to eat. Although this temperature is only feasible in certain parts of the country, you can still use a dehydrator to get the desired temperature.
Prepare the sweet potatoes next. Potatoes should be cut into thin pieces, and cooking time will be reduced if the strips are thinner. After every half hour, check and inspect them again. You can bake the sweet potato slices in a small basin filled with water if you dont have an oven. A food processor fitted with a slicing blade can also be used for this phase. Before drying, the slices should be soaked for at least two hours.
Also Check: How To Season Grilled Chicken
More Jerky Marinade Ideas:
- This turkey jerky recipe uses brown sugar for sweetness, liquid smoke, and curing salt. Will from Jerkyholic is a great resource for all things jerky, by the way.
- Jerk turkey jerky made scotch bonnets and a beaucoup of spices.
- This Traeger turkey jerky uses chili garlic sauce and lime juice in addition to curing salt.
The Benefit Of Homemade Chicken Jerky
I started making this homemade chicken jerky a few years ago after I first looked through the ingredient label of my former favorite store-bought treats. While they were advertised as All-Natural, one of the first ingredients listed on the bag was sugar followed by a whole bunch of preservatives and ingredients I couldnt pronounce. Since Im careful with what I feed my dogs, I immediately boycotted commercial jerky and decided I was much better off making my own.
The best part about this recipe is it only has one ingredient. Thats right just one. CHICKEN! There are no preservatives added. No sugar. No salt. Nothing extra. Just chicken.
Well, unless you want to add some dog-approved spices but those will just add to the health benefits!
When I gave my chicken jerky to my dogs for the first time, they gobbled it right up. I mean, whats not to love? From your dogs point of view, theyre getting a delicious treat. From my point of view, they are eating a low-fat, high-protein snack. Thats not to mention how easy they are to make!
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