google-services.json file is unnecessary to receive notifications. Just add a variable for each flavour in your build.gradle file:
buildConfigField "String", "GCM_SENDER_ID", "\"111111111111\""
Use this variable BuildConfig.GCM_SENDER_ID instead of getString(R.string.gcm_defaultSenderId) while registering:
instanceID.getToken(BuildConfig.GCM_SENDER_ID, GoogleCloudMessaging.INSTANCE_ID_SCOPE, null);