Top 10 Best Chicken and Rice Dog Food
Chicken and rice recipes are among the most popular and common dog food formulas. Virtually every brand and formula offer a chicken and rice recipe, and for good reason!
Chicken is a lean, healthy, complete protein that’s affordable and highly digestible. Similarly, rice is also a budget-friendly grain that provides fiber and carbohydrates. That said, not all chicken and rice recipes are created equal. Different brands and ingredients offer different quality and nutrition, so you have to do your homework.
Fortunately, we’re here to help! Here are our choices for the 10 best chicken and rice dog food, based on reviews from pet owners like you.
The 10 Best Chicken & Rice Dog Foods
Pedigree Adult Complete Nutrition Dry Dog Food – Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Ground whole grain corn, meat and bone meal, corn gluten meal, animal fat, soybean meal |
| Protein content: | 21.0% min |
| Fat content: | 10.0% min |
The best chicken and rice dog food for the money is Pedigree’s Adult Complete Nutrition Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable recipe. It is affordable and beneficial for your dog, so it serves both your wallet and your pet’s health!
This formula aids in healthy digestion due to the inclusion of whole grains, and the omega-6 fatty acids maintain healthy skin and fur. The crunchy texture of the kibble is designed to promote dental hygiene, contributing to your dog’s oral health.
Again, this recipe includes peas. Be certain to consult your vet to determine if peas are necessary for your dog’s diet.
- Contains peas
- Fewer quality ingredients
- Affordable
- Promotes healthy digestion
- Supports the skin and coat
Ollie Fresh Chicken Recipe – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver |
| Protein content: | 10.0% min |
| Fat content: | 5.0% min |
Ollie’s Chicken Dish with Carrots is our choice for the best overall chicken and rice dog foods. This recipe is packed with high-quality ingredients, providing key nutrients for your pup. It is a good foundation for a healthy diet, making it a premium choice for your pet.
The addition of carrots into the chicken and rice combination makes this formula a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The carrots are also an incredible source of fiber, potassium, and necessary vitamins, supporting your dog’s eye health. The rice provides healthy carbohydrates and proteins, and the spinach and chia seeds provide additional nutrients.
The only concern with this meal is the inclusion of peas. A recent study warns that peas may be directly linked to heart disease1 in canines, so keep that in mind when considering this option.
- Contains peas
- High-quality ingredients
- Supports overall health
- Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Purina Pro Plan Shredded Blend Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, rice, whole grain wheat, poultry by-product meal, soybean meal |
| Protein content: | 26.0% min |
| Fat content: | 16.0% min |
Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula is a third choice due to its unique blend of hard kibble and tender meat. The combination gives pups a meal with high protein content. The protein plus the rice provides plenty of fuel to energize your dog throughout the day.
This formula also includes probiotics. These probiotics support the digestive system and the immune system of your dog, ensuring that it gets a health boost along with the tasty meal. The inclusion of omega-fatty acids gives your dog a shiny, healthy coat and nourishes its skin. Clearly, this recipe provides some premium benefits!
- Expensive
- High in protein
- Probiotics support digestive health
Purina Pro Plan Performance 30/20 Dry Food – Vet’s Choice
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, corn gluten meal, rice, beef fat, poultry by-product meal |
| Protein content: | 30.0% min |
| Fat content: | 20.0% min |
Our vet’s choice is Purina’s Pro Plan 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula. This recipe has several benefits for your dog, including high protein content. With chicken as the first ingredient, the protein shoots up to 30%. Protein provides plenty of energy for your dog, allowing it to be active all day long. It also serves to build and sustain lean muscle and its metabolism.
As with many of Purina’s formulas, this option tends to be a bit on the pricey side. However, the high quality of the ingredients warrants such a price.
- Expensive
- High protein content
- Boosts energy and endurance
- Builds lean muscle
Purina Pro Plan Dry Puppy Food – Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, rice, poultry by-product meal, corn gluten meal, whole grain wheat |
| Protein content: | 28.0% min |
| Fat content: | 18.0% max |
For puppies, Purina’s Pro Plan High Protein Chicken & Rice Formula is an excellent choice. This recipe provides high protein content for young pups with tons of energy along with plenty of other benefits for growing puppies.
Glucosamine is included to support the joints, omega fatty acids contribute to a healthy coat and rejuvenated skin, and the formula is specially designed to be highly digestible.
DHA is included in the recipe, which is an excellent addition for puppies. DHA is vital to the brain development of puppies2, and providing the necessary fatty acids is a great way to support your pup’s development.
- Expensive
- High protein content
- DHA content supports brain development
Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, turkey meal |
| Protein content: | 26.0% min |
| Fat content: | 16.0% min |
For our next pick, we have Merrick’s Classic Healthy Grains Real Chicken + Brown Rice Recipe with Ancient Grains. This is a healthy option, with deboned chicken as the first ingredient. The protein content is high, and the blend of grains, including brown rice, supports healthy digestion. This recipe includes omega-fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin to bolster the skin, fur, and joints.
This formula is made in the United States, ensuring the recipe was made with quality ingredients and crafting. It deliberately avoids ingredients that may disrupt your dog’s well-being, such as potatoes, lentils, and peas.
- Expensive
- Quality ingredients
- High protein content
- First two ingredients are animal-based
Nutro Natural Choice Adult Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, brewers rice, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, whole grain barley |
| Protein content: | 22.0% min |
| Fat content: | 14.0% min |
The chicken and brown rice recipe from Nutro’s Natural Choice Adult formula is developed with the health of your furry friend in mind. With chicken as the first ingredient, this recipe is packed with healthy protein.
Other health benefits include antioxidants that boost the immune system, natural fibers that promote healthy digestion, and fatty acids for the coat and skin. Overall, this recipe supports your pup’s health in several ways and is an excellent choice.
Nutro Natural is also notable for what it lacks. There are no chicken by-products, no wheat, and no soy in this recipe. So, if your dog has sensitivities to any of those ingredients, this could be the option for you.
- Somewhat expensive
- Supports healthy digestion
- Boosts immune system
Whole Earth Farms Large Breed Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken meal, rice, barley, pork meal |
| Protein content: | 24.0% min |
| Fat content: | 14.0% min |
The Whole Earth Farms Healthy Grains Large Breed Chicken & Rice recipe is a great option for a large breed dog.
With chicken and chicken meal as the first two ingredients, this formula is packed with healthy proteins that support your dog’s energy and muscles. The inclusion of apples, carrots, and beets supports healthy digestion as well as overall health. Likewise, antioxidants and omega-fatty acids boost the immune system, skin, and coat.
There is l-carnitine in this recipe as well, helping your dog to reduce weight on their joints by metabolizing fat. Overall, this recipe contains plenty of health benefits for your bigger dogs.
- Large dog breeds only
- First two ingredients are animal-based
- Maintains healthy weight
- Supports sensitive digestion
Nature’s Recipe Small Bites Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, chicken meal, brewers rice, barley, oatmeal |
| Protein content: | 22.0% min |
| Fat content: | 12.0% min |
If you have a small dog, Nature’s Recipe Small Bites Chicken & Rice might be the formula for you. This blend is specifically crafted with small dog breeds in mind, meaning your little pup will get the nutrients they need.
The first two ingredients in this recipe are animal-based: chicken and chicken meal. This gives the meal quality proteins, providing your dog with the energy they need to keep exploring.
Nature’s Recipe has vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are key components to your dog’s health. These additions help to support digestion and the creation of strong muscles. Plus, the kibble is designed specifically for small dog breeds, so it’s ideal for tiny mouths.
- Small dog breeds only
- Supports overall health
- Kibble is built with small dogs in mind
- First two ingredients are animal-based
Merrick Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, turkey meal, oatmeal |
| Protein content: | 28.0% min |
| Fat content: | 16.0% min |
Merrick’s Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble Real Chicken + Brown Rice formula starts off strong with deboned chicken and chicken meal, then follows up with healthy rice to support digestion. Each piece of kibble is coated in a freeze-dried, raw covering that adds a tasty kick to every bite. The coating also gives a protein boost, meaning it’s not only tasty, but it’s healthy!
For all of the excellent qualities this formula has, it is only natural that it is a bit on the expensive side. So, keep that in mind when you are considering this recipe for your dog.
- Expensive
- Quality ingredients
- First two ingredients are animal-based
- High protein content
Buyer’s Guide: Picking the Best Chicken & Rice Dog Food
Now that you have some more information about chicken and rice recipe options, how do you decide which is right for you and your dog?
Look at the Ingredients
- Generally speaking, a meat should be the first ingredient (such as chicken). This is because the first ingredient on the label is the ingredient that is most prominent in the bag.
- However, that does not mean that your dog needs only meat. In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, your dog needs a well-balanced diet. In addition to meat, the recipes should contain elements such as grains, veggies, and fruit.
Consider the Price
- Dog food can get expensive. Unfortunately, the most expensive dog foods also tend to be of the highest quality, so it isn’t always easy to get our dogs the best brand.
- Still, there are plenty of affordable options with high-quality ingredients, and this list has provided a number of them. So, think about what you can regularly spend for your dog when deciding, and you can narrow down some of your options.
Is It AAFCO Approved?
The standard set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a helpful way to determine if a particular dog food is nutritionally balanced. If a dog food formula states that they are AAFCO approved, they have met a specific nutritional requirement ensuring its food is complete and balanced. This guarantees that your dog is getting the nutrients they need.
Final Thoughts
This article included 11 reviews of the best chicken and rice dog food recipes, starting with Ollie Chicken with Carrots Recipe for best overall. The best value goes to Pedigree’s Adult Complete Nutrition and our premium choice to Purina Pro Plan High Protein Shredded Blend with Probiotics. Purina Pro Plan High Protein Formula is the best option for puppies, and Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Formula is our vet’s choice.
While each option listed in this article is an excellent one, the deciding factor comes down to whatever is right for you and your furry friend.
