Same chicken. Same rice. Same peppers. I set aside their portion before the wine and garlic go in — that's the whole secret. One pan, ten extra minutes, two happy diners.
Cooking for your dog doesn't have to be difficult, complex or time-consuming. If you're already cooking dinner for yourself, you're already 80% of the way there. Most homemade dog meals are just a version of what you're already making — the same proteins, the same vegetables, the same base. The only thing standing between your dinner and theirs is a short list of ingredients you don't add to their portion.
Paella is the perfect example. You're going to be in the kitchen anyway. The chicken goes in first, the rice goes in next, the peppers and peas go in after. You set aside your dog's portion at that point — before the white wine, before the garlic, before the onion. Then you carry on making yours. Total extra effort: about ten minutes and one small bowl set to the side.
That's it. That's the whole system. Cook once, feed both.
Based on feeding ~2–2.5% of body weight daily. Adjust for activity level and current weight.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🐓 Protein | ||
| Chicken thigh (cooked, bone removed) | 70g | Skin removed — too much fat for small dogs |
| Egg (scrambled, no butter) | ½ egg (~25g) | Stir into rice while warm |
| 🍚 Carbs | ||
| Short-grain paella rice (cooked) | 40g | Bomba or Arborio — plain, no salt |
| 🥦 Vegetables | ||
| Red bell pepper (roasted or raw) | 20g | Finely chopped |
| Green beans (steamed, chopped) | 15g | Steamed until just soft |
| Peas (cooked, fresh or frozen) | 10g | Not tinned — no added salt |
| Ripe tomato (fresh only) | 1 tbsp (~15g) | Fully ripe, no green parts |
| 🌿 Finishing | ||
| Olive oil (extra virgin) | ½ tsp | Drizzle over finished bowl |
| Turmeric | Pinch | Gives the golden colour, anti-inflammatory |
| Bone broth (unsalted) | 30ml | Replaces wine — deglazes and adds flavour |
Total: ~180–190g per meal (once daily). Split into two if your dog eats twice a day.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🐓 Protein | ||
| Chicken thigh (cooked, bone removed) | 150g | Skin removed for leaner meal |
| Egg (scrambled, no butter) | 1 egg (~50g) | Stir into rice while warm |
| 🍚 Carbs | ||
| Short-grain paella rice (cooked) | 85g | Plain, no salt |
| 🥦 Vegetables | ||
| Red bell pepper (roasted or raw) | 40g | Finely chopped |
| Green beans (steamed, chopped) | 30g | Steamed until just soft |
| Peas (cooked, fresh or frozen) | 25g | Not tinned — no added salt |
| Ripe tomato (fresh only) | 2 tbsp (~25g) | Fully ripe only |
| 🌿 Finishing | ||
| Olive oil (extra virgin) | 1 tsp | Drizzle over finished bowl |
| Turmeric | Small pinch | Anti-inflammatory, gives golden colour |
| Bone broth (unsalted) | 60ml | Replaces wine — deglazes and adds flavour |
Total: ~380–400g per meal (once daily). Split into two meals if your dog eats twice a day.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🐓 Protein | ||
| Chicken thigh (cooked, bone removed) | 240g | Skin on is fine for active large dogs |
| Egg (scrambled, no butter) | 1½ eggs (~75g) | Stir into rice while warm |
| 🍚 Carbs | ||
| Short-grain paella rice (cooked) | 135g | Plain, no salt |
| 🥦 Vegetables | ||
| Red bell pepper (roasted or raw) | 65g | Finely chopped |
| Green beans (steamed, chopped) | 50g | Steamed until just soft |
| Peas (cooked, fresh or frozen) | 40g | Not tinned |
| Ripe tomato (fresh only) | 3 tbsp (~40g) | Fully ripe only |
| 🌿 Finishing | ||
| Olive oil (extra virgin) | 1½ tsp | Drizzle over finished bowl |
| Turmeric | Small pinch | Anti-inflammatory |
| Bone broth (unsalted) | 90ml | Replaces wine |
Total: ~620–640g per meal (once daily). Split into two meals for bloat-risk breeds.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🐓 Protein | ||
| Chicken thigh (cooked, bone removed) | 360g | Can mix with chicken breast to reduce fat |
| Egg (scrambled, no butter) | 2 eggs (~100g) | Stir into rice while warm |
| 🍚 Carbs | ||
| Short-grain paella rice (cooked) | 200g | Plain, no salt |
| 🥦 Vegetables | ||
| Red bell pepper (roasted or raw) | 95g | Finely chopped |
| Green beans (steamed, chopped) | 75g | Steamed until just soft |
| Peas (cooked, fresh or frozen) | 60g | Not tinned |
| Ripe tomato (fresh only) | 4 tbsp (~55g) | Fully ripe only |
| 🌿 Finishing | ||
| Olive oil (extra virgin) | 2 tsp | Drizzle over finished bowl |
| Turmeric | Pinch | Anti-inflammatory |
| Bone broth (unsalted) | 120ml | Replaces wine |
Total: ~950g–1kg per meal. Always split giant breed meals across two servings to reduce bloat risk.
The "set aside" method: Cook your chicken and rice together with peppers, green beans, peas and tomato. When everything is cooked through but before you add wine, garlic or salt — scoop your dog's portion into their bowl and set it aside. Then continue making yours as normal. The dog bowl gets bone broth drizzled on top. Yours gets the wine. Everyone's happy.
Thigh meat has more flavour and more zinc, iron and B vitamins than breast — and dogs love the taste. Remove the bone before cooking (cooked poultry bones splinter and are dangerous) and the skin if your dog is overweight or prone to pancreatitis. For lean, active dogs, a little skin adds calorie density and fat-soluble vitamins.
Complete ProteinZincB VitaminsBomba and Arborio varieties absorb liquid well, creating a slightly sticky texture that holds the bowl together — which makes it easier for dogs to eat cleanly. Short-grain rice has a higher glycaemic response than brown rice but is easier on sensitive stomachs and appropriate for active dogs that need quick energy.
Digestible CarbsManganeseOne of the best vegetables you can add to a dog's bowl. Red peppers contain three times more Vitamin C than an orange and are rich in beta-carotene (which converts to Vitamin A) and lycopene. They're naturally sweet, and most dogs eat them willingly without persuasion. Always use red — green and yellow are also safe but lower in these compounds.
Vitamin CBeta-CaroteneLycopeneLow calorie, high fibre, and one of the most versatile dog-safe vegetables. Green beans add bulk to the bowl without adding significant calories — useful for dogs that need to lose weight or for owners who want to stretch a meal. Rich in silicon, which supports bone and connective tissue health.
FibreSiliconLow CalorieA source of plant-based protein, B vitamins and potassium. Note: peas are a legume, and breeds with an elevated DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy) risk — primarily Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, Boxers and Irish Wolfhounds — should have legumes limited or removed. For all other breeds, peas in a meal this size are completely fine.
Plant ProteinPotassiumVitamin B1Fully ripe tomatoes are safe and actually nutritious for dogs — rich in lycopene (an antioxidant with cancer-protective properties), Vitamin C and potassium. The danger is unripe tomato flesh and the green parts (leaves, stems, calyx) which contain tomatine. Always use small amounts of ripe, fresh tomato and never tinned (added salt).
LycopeneVitamin CAntioxidantExtra-virgin olive oil provides Vitamin E, polyphenols and oleocanthal — a compound with proven anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen in mechanism (without the toxicity). A small drizzle over the finished bowl is enough. Don't cook with it at high heat for the dog's portion — the beneficial polyphenols are heat-sensitive.
Vitamin EPolyphenolsAnti-inflammatoryThe spice that replaces saffron's golden colour — and does a far better nutritional job. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has extensive anti-inflammatory and antioxidant research behind it. For dogs, bioavailability is better when turmeric is paired with a small amount of fat (olive oil) — which is already in this bowl. A pinch per meal is ideal.
CurcuminAnti-inflammatoryThis is what replaces the wine. A splash of unsalted bone broth deglazes the pan just as well, adds a deep savoury flavour that dogs love, and contributes collagen and glycine for joint and gut health. Always check the label: must say no onion, no garlic, no salt. Better still — make your own from chicken carcasses.
CollagenGlycineGut HealthRemove the bone from each thigh — run a knife along the bone and pull it out. Optionally remove the skin if your dog is prone to weight gain. Cut into bite-sized pieces, roughly 2–3cm. Season yours however you like at this point; leave the dog's portion plain.
In a wide pan with a small amount of olive oil, add the chicken and cook until sealed on all sides. Add the paella rice and stir to coat. For your portion, add garlic and onion now. For the dog's portion, skip straight to the next step.
Add the red bell pepper, green beans, peas and ripe tomato. Pour in unsalted bone broth (for the dog's portion) or a mix of wine and stock (for yours). Add a pinch of turmeric to the dog's portion for colour. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 15–18 minutes until the rice is tender.
When the rice is cooked and the liquid absorbed, scoop the dog's measured amount into their bowl. This is the key step — do it before you add salt, before any final garlic, before anything else goes into your pan. Their bowl is done at this point.
Scramble half an egg separately and stir it through the dog's bowl while still warm. Drizzle with olive oil. Their dinner is ready. Yours gets seasoned, garnished with lemon and herbs, and plated however you like. Serve side by side.
The Galgo Español — Spanish Greyhound — is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, descended from ancient sighthounds brought to the Iberian Peninsula over two thousand years ago. They are elegant, lean, deeply affectionate dogs with a quiet, gentle nature that surprises most people who meet them.
As a lean sighthound, the Galgo has specific nutritional needs that this recipe suits particularly well. They carry very little body fat, have high lean muscle mass, and need high-quality protein to maintain their build without unnecessary calories. Chicken thigh provides exactly that — complete protein with the right balance of amino acids for muscle maintenance. The absence of added fat (beyond the olive oil drizzle) keeps the meal appropriately lean.
Bell peppers and turmeric support the Galgo's joint health, which matters given their deep chest and long limbs. Bone broth provides collagen — especially useful for the tendons and joints that take the strain of their speed and agility. This is a recipe built for how they're actually put together.
Batch cooking: Double the dog's portion and refrigerate for up to 3 days, or freeze in individual servings for up to 3 months. Reheat gently — warm, not hot. Add the olive oil drizzle fresh each time, not before freezing. For picky dogs, stir a spoonful of plain yogurt through the bowl when serving warm — the probiotic boost helps and most dogs love the creaminess.
Paella night sorted. Next: Japanese Salmon Teriyaki — same concept, ten minutes, two bowls.
Japanese Salmon Teriyaki → Browse All Recipes →