Home » Misc » Ground chicken baby food recipe

Ground chicken baby food recipe


Favorite Chicken Puree

Learn how to make iron-rich baby food with this easy recipe for Chicken Puree with three flavor combinations and easy storage tips. This works as a Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 baby food.

Chicken Puree for Baby

Incorporating iron-rich and protein-packed foods when you start offering baby solids can be a challenge, but this easy puree is a great option to have in the mix. It’s fast to make, stores easily, and can have a variety of flavors according to what you have on hand or prefer.

And you only need a few ingredients to make this baby food, so you don’t need to worry about spending a lot of money on ingredients you won’t be able to use up.

This chicken puree can be made super smooth and offered as a Stage 1 baby food, combined with other purees as a Stage 2 baby food, or pureed less smooth (or not at all) as a Stage 3 baby food.

You can even spread it onto toast or offer it on a preloaded spoon if you’re doing baby-led weaning.

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe, you’ll need these ingredients:

  • Ground chicken: This usually contains a mix of white and dark meat, so it’s a good source of iron.
  • Olive oil
  • Dried thyme, oregano, or cumin, optional: You can add a spice for more flavor.
  • Chicken broth: I use reduced-sodium chicken broth for flavor but less sodium. You can also use salt-free if you prefer.
  • Additional baby food puree, optional: Add flavor and nutrients by mixing it with Sweet Potato Puree, Butternut Squash Puree, Avocado Puree, or Carrot Puree.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at how to make this baby food recipe so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full recipe.

  1. Warm the olive oil in a skillet and add the chicken. Break up with a spoon.
  2. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
  3. Add the cooked chicken to a blender with the broth and optional additional baby food puree. Add the optional spice if using.
  4. Blend as smooth as you like, adding more or less liquid as desired.

TIP: You can use water, breastmilk, or formula in place of the chicken broth if you prefer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my 6-month-old chicken?

Yes, it just needs to be prepared in a way that is easy for baby to eat. This puree has all the nutrients in chicken but is low in sodium and is easy to offer as a Stage 1 baby food. And since iron stores in baby start to run out around the 6-month mark, offering iron-rich foods is important.

Can you puree chicken in a blender?

Yes, it is easy to puree in a blender if you add some liquid to help it easily move around the blade. Cook the chicken first, then puree it to avoid having raw meat in the blender.

What baby food combinations work well with chicken puree?

You can combine any veggie puree with chicken puree such as Carrot Puree, Pea Puree, Butternut Squash Puree, Sweet Potato Puree, Broccoli Puree, or even Avocado Puree. You can use what sounds like a yummy combination to you and go from there.

Chicken Puree for Baby Led Weaning

You can serve large pieces of chicken using the baby-led weaning, or you can spread some of this puree onto a finger-size piece of toast. This is a good option since it’s so easy for baby to eat.

You can also put some of the puree onto a baby spoon and hand the spoon to baby so they can feed it to themselves. This is a great option for feeding baby, no matter which style of starting solids you’re doing.

How to Store

Let the puree cool, then divide into small storage containers and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. Heat briefly before serving. Or you can freeze in an ice cube tray overnight, transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 6 months.

Thaw 1-2 cubes in a small container overnight in the fridge or for about an hour at room temperature.

(Find more on storing baby food.)

Best Tips for Success

  • Start with ground chicken for the easiest process of cooking this puree.
  • Use reduced-sodium or no-sodium chicken broth. You can also use water, breastmilk, or formula if you prefer.
  • Combine the chicken puree with Carrot Puree, Pea Puree, Butternut Squash Puree, Sweet Potato Puree, Broccoli Puree, or even Avocado Puree. Try any other baby food combination you think sounds good.
  • Puree very smooth to serve as a Stage 1 baby food.
  • Puree less smooth to serve as a Stage 2 and 3 baby food. You can also break up the pieces of cooked chicken, stir with the optional additional baby food, and serve to baby as a finger food.
  • You may also like Baked Chicken Meatballs, Instant Pot Butter Chicken, Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids, and Easy Baby Soup.

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it, so please rate and comment below!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Author Amy Palanjian

Cuisine American

Course Baby Food

Calories 128kcal

Servings 4

  • ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ▢ 1/2 pound ground chicken
  • ▢ 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, oregano, or cumin (choose one, optional)
  • ▢ 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth (or no sodium)
  • ▢ 1/4 cup sweet potato puree (optional; or other baby food puree)

  • Add the olive oil to a medium pan over medium heat. When warm, add the chicken. Break up with a wooden spoon.

  • Sprinkle with desired spice, if using, and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat into small pieces until fully cooked and no longer pink. Turn off the heat and let cool for a few minutes.

  • Transfer meat to a blender with the broth and sweet potato, if using. Blend well, starting on low and working up to high. Add more broth if needed to make a smooth puree.

  • Serve, or store in the fridge in ¼-cup portions or in the freezer for future use.

  • Green Pan Non-Stick Pan

  • Vitamix Blender

  • Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Freeze the puree in an ice cube tray overnight, then transfer frozen cubes to a storage bag, with as much air removed as possible, and freeze for up to 6 months.
  • If you’d like to cook the sweet potato with the chicken, peel and dice 1 small sweet potato finely. Add to the pan with the chicken and cook until soft. Proceed with the recipe.
  • Use reduced-sodium or no-sodium chicken broth. You can also use water, breastmilk, or formula if you prefer.
  • Combine the chicken puree with Carrot Puree, Pea Puree, Butternut Squash Puree, Sweet Potato Puree, Broccoli Puree, or even Avocado Puree. Or try any other baby food combination you think sounds good.
  • Puree very smooth to serve as a Stage 1 baby food.
  • Puree less smooth to serve as a Stage 2 and 3 baby food. You can also break up the pieces of cooked chicken, stir with the optional additional baby food, and serve to baby as a finger food.
  • To serve this for baby-led weaning, form the raw ground meat into little oval meatballs and cook in the pan for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through. The shape should be easy for baby to hold and self-feed.

Calories: 128kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 49mg, Sodium: 98mg, Potassium: 383mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 3363IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Rate in the comments and tag @yummytoddlerfood on IG!

Soft Chicken Meatballs For Babies, Toddlers, Kids (BLW)

BABY | Baby Led Weaning | Dairy free | Finger Foods | GAPS | Gluten free | Grain free | KIDS | Lunch Box | Main Meals | Meals & Sides | TODDLER

11. 4K shares

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

Soft chicken meatballs for baby made with ground chicken, vegetables, soft avocado and seasonings, no bread or flour needed. These chicken meatballs are a great way to serve chicken for babies starting from 6-7 month and up. They are perfect for baby led weaning (BLW) as finger food, including toddlers and older kid’s school lunch box.

Since these baby chicken meatballs are freezer friendly you can make them ahead of time and serve them in under 20 minutes. Plus they are completely customizable, egg free option included.

You may also like these soft beef meatballs, baby turkey meatballs or these turkey avocado patties.

Chicken Meatballs For Babies (BWL), Toddlers & Kids

That’s what I love about these baby chicken meatballs. They are SO EASY to make and meal prep friendly. They can be served with mashed cauliflower and roasted vegetables or saved for the next week’s meatball dinner, when hunger calls. Whether you’re doing baby led weaning or not these chicken meatballs are perfect as baby led weaning finger food – they’re soft enough for babies to gum them even when they don’t have any teeth.

If you’re looking to reduce stovetop messes, then you’ll love how well these baby chicken meatballs can be browned in a hot oven rather than frying in a skillet. And then there’s the option to just simmer the meatballs in sauce without pre-cooking at all. I like to simmer the meatballs in chicken broth/ stock with some added coconut milk (or cream) with garlic and Dijon mustard and season to taste.

Related: Salmon Meatballs (BLW)

Ingredients For The Recipe

  • Ground chicken – you can use the store-bought version or make some ground chicken yourself. Just add some chicken meat in a food processor and mix it with plenty of dry spices and herbs.
  • Garlic & Onion – finely chopped. Ground powder works well, but I prefer to use real food ingredients for baby’s recipes.
  • Carrot – you can use any starchy vegetable you like.
  • Avocado – is used to provide the chicken meatballs a softer texture. Since we’re not using breadcrumbs or cheese, this will also help with binding everything together.
  • Egg – is used as a binding agent. See egg free version below in recipe card.
  • Tomato paste – is used for flavoring. The acid component brightens up the flavor.
  • Seasonings – I used the most basic ones usually suitable for chicken meat: black pepper, sage and salt, but you can also try some fresh chopped basil, dried oregano or coriander. Use Himalayan pink salt for very small babies or omit it entirely.

How To Make Baby Chicken Meatballs

Prepare & Mix The Ingredients:
  • Prep the vegetables (onion, carrot, garlic): clean and peel and throw them in a food processor along with avocado and seasonings.
  • Mix: pulse a few times until finely chopped, then add the egg and tomato paste, pulse another few times until incorporated. Then add the ground chicken and mix by hand or with a spatula. Don’t mix in the food processor it will make the texture very wet and will be harder to handle.

This post may contain affiliate links. To read the disclaimer policy See This.

Form The Chicken Meatballs
  • Use a small cookie or ice cream scoop to evenly portion out the meatballs. Place one by one in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, or if you have mini muffin pan, use that, it will help keep the shape better. To help with stickiness when rolling: lightly dampen hands with some oil.

Bake The Chicken Meatballs
  • Place in a 400-degree F oven and bake for 20 minutes until slightly golden browned. They usually have a lighter color than those made with red meat. You can turn the broil function for the last minute or two of baking for a more golden surface. Baking the chicken meatballs is easier, healthier and mess free. But you can also fry them if you like.

Keep the Chicken Meatballs Moist And Soft

  • When using ground chicken, add some thigh meat mixed with white chicken meat – for a more round flavor and fat. Red chicken meat is usually less lean (than chicken breast) and softer when cooked.
  • Don’t over bake the meatballs. Take them out of the oven when they are cooked through inside, sometimes they might not get browned but they tend to cook even after you take them out.

Make Ahead

Gather the ingredients and form the baby meatballs, place them on parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Freeze them raw. Once frozen transfer them in a plastic bag and keep frozen for up to 3-4 months. When you need a quick finger food or meal for your baby, you’ll have fresh tasting chicken meatballs for your baby in no time!

Egg Free Baby Chicken Meatballs Version

Keep everything the same, you just need to replace the egg with parmesan cheese and add some bread crumbs (or flour) in order to absorb the extra moisture. Add them at the end with the meat and mix by hand. For the grain free / gluten free version opt for a nut/ seed flour or arrowroot flour.

How To Store

  • Store leftovers for 4-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Freeze up to 3 months in an airtight container.
  • Thaw / reheat – just pop them out of the freezer and place them on a backing sheet. Cover with foil and reheat at 170C /350F until heated through. Or thaw the chicken meatballs overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stove: In a pot add a touch of water or stock and the meatballs, cover and let them steam inside at low temperature for 10-15 minutes.
Need more recipes? Check out the finger food category for more ideas!
More Recipes With Meat / Chicken For Babies
  • Beef Meatballs For Baby (BLW) Toddler, No Egg
  • Chicken & Mushroom Crepe Rolls – Kid & Baby Friendly
  • Baby Turkey Meatballs (BLW)
  • Turkey Avocado Patties For Baby (BLW) Toddlers, Kids
  • Chicken Soup For Baby, Toddler, Kids (GAPS Friendly)
  • Chicken Liver Muffins For Babies, Toddlers, Kids

Have you tried this recipe? Your feedback is really helpful, please rate and leave a comment below recipe card!

Soft Chicken Meatballs For Babies, Toddlers, Kids (BLW)

ThrivingNest

Soft chicken meatballs for baby made with ground chicken, vegetables, soft avocado and seasonings, no bread or flour needed. These baby chicken meatballs are suitable for 6-7 month old babies and up, baby led weaning (BLW) as finger food, including toddlers and older kid’s school lunch box. Egg free meatball version included.

4.60 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

DIETS: Gluten Free, Dairy Free

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 20 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Baby Food

Servings 25 chicken meatballs

Calories 47 kcal

  • 1 lb (454g) ground chicken
  • 3/4 avocado
  • 1 medium carrot
  • 1 small onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 egg
  • 1.5-2 tbsp tomato paste (lemon juice or some mustard will also work)
  • 1/3 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sage (or basil)
  • 1/3 tsp sea salt (for babies 12 months +)
Eggless Chicken Meatballs
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated) (as eggs substitute)
  • 3-4 tbsp bread crumbs (or almond flour (grain free version))
Prepare The Ingredients

  • Prep the vegetables (onion, carrot, garlic): clean and peel and throw them in a food processor along with avocado and seasonings.

Mix The Ingredients

  • Pulse the ingredients a few times until finely chopped, then add the egg and tomato paste, pulse another few times until incorporated.

  • Then add the ground chicken and mix by hand or with a spatula. Don't mix in the food processor it will make the texture very wet and will be harder to handle.

  • If you can't find pre-made ground chicken, use your food processor to finely ground some chicken breasts. If you can, add some thigh meat as well for a more round flavor.

Form The Meatballs
Bake The Meatballs
Egg Free Chicken Meatballs Version
  1. For more flavor you can add some parmesan cheese to the original recipe and some chopped fresh herbs like parsley, basil, spinach or kale.
  2. Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. 
  3. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove. In a pot add a touch of water or stock and the meatballs, cover and let them steam inside at low temperature for 10-15 minutes. Or just pop them out of the freezer and place them on a backing sheet. Cover with foil and reheat at 170C /350F until heated through. 

Serving: 1meatballCalories: 47kcalCarbohydrates: 1.55gProtein: 3.77gFat: 3.04gPotassium: 159mgFiber: 0.7gSugar: 0.44gVitamin A: 446IUVitamin C: 1.4mgCalcium: 6mgIron: 0.34mg

Have you tried any of these recipes? Your feedback is really helpful, please rate and leave a comment below recipe card!!

Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only and not intended for medical advice. Please refer to my full disclaimer for more info.

©ThrivingNest. Content and photographs are copyright protected and need prior permission to use. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to other websites and any social media is strictly prohibited. Sharing and using the link of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated!

11.4K shares

Post Tags: #12-18 months#18-24 months#6-9 months#9-12 months#kids 2+

Similar Posts

Baby Chicken Minced Cutlets recipe

Skip to content

Delicious and tender diet food for children – minced chicken cutlets

This is the same village chicken that both children and their parents missed so much.

Healthy food

Ingredients

Main course

500 gr. chicken fillet "Kudashka"
1 pc. medium size onion
100 gr. wheat bread, peeled
1 pc. chicken egg
1 root vegetable carrots
50 gr. natural cow's milk
1 st. l. vegetable oil
3 gr. salt

For garnish

100 g rice
3 g salt
bundle greenery

The advantages of chicken cutlets over meat cutlets


They are very tender, just airy. Also in chicken cutlets there is less fat and cholesterol, but as much as in meat, nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

What you need in order to prepare the dish

It is preferable to take high-quality Kudasha chicken fillet as the main ingredient.

How to Make Tender Chicken Cutlets for Baby


This original recipe makes 10 servings and goes great with any side dish. With strict observance of the sequence of all stages of cooking, as well as the temperature and time regime, the dish will turn out for any housewife.

Step 1

Thoroughly wash chicken fillet “Kudashka” and grind into minced meat in a fine-mesh meat grinder. Carrots and onions are peeled, washed, cut into cubes and passed through a meat grinder along with chicken. If necessary, repeat the process one more time.

Step 2

Soak bread in milk until it is completely absorbed. Squeeze lightly and add it to the minced meat. We also break the egg there, salt and carefully knead the resulting mass with our hands until smooth.

Step 3

Shape the patties with your hands in the shape you like. So that the minced meat does not stick to the hands, we constantly moisten them in cold water. We place the resulting blanks for cutlets on a baking dish greased with vegetable oil.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 180°C and place the baking dish there, after adding about 50 gr. water. Cooking the dish for 20 - 25 minutes. After the specified period, tender chicken cutlets for your child are ready. Cool to an acceptable temperature and serve with any side dish.

Tasty and healthy Kudashka fillet cutlets are very popular with children


This dish is suitable for lunch or dinner and can be prepared even daily. It will fully satisfy the child's body in the necessary substances, minerals and vitamins.

Recommended recipes

Reviews

Over 150 stores

Go to map

Chicken cutlets for kids recipe with photo step by step and video

Chicken cutlets for kids

Sorry, Javascript is disabled or not working . To work with most of the functions on our site, this is a necessary element. Contact your administrator to resolve this issue.

Composition / ingredients

6

Change composition

servings:

Step by step cooking

Cooking time: 1 h 20 min PT1h30M
  1. Step 1:

    How to make juicy and tender chicken cutlets for kids? The secret of these cutlets is actually very simple. But everything is in order. Start by preparing the necessary products on the list. Minced chicken should consist of breast, without impurities of skin and fat. Therefore, it is preferable to make minced meat on your own by chopping the breast in a blender or passing it through a meat grinder.

  2. Step 2:

    Cut the bun into slices, cover with milk and leave to soak. Then squeeze out the excess milk well. Whether or not to cut off the crust from the crumb before soaking is up to you. I did not - the bread soaks very well over the entire surface.

  3. Step 3:

    Peel and cut the onion into very small cubes. So that the onion is not felt at all in cutlets, you can pass it through a meat grinder along with minced meat. True, in this case, the onion will let in a lot of moisture, and the minced meat may have to be slightly thickened with flour or semolina. If your child does not like onions, you can not add it to cutlets at all.

  4. Step 4:

    Combine the chicken mince, onion, soaked pressed bread, egg and salt in a bowl. If the children are old enough (schoolchildren), then you can optionally add a little black pepper. For children of kindergarten age, pepper is usually not added to minced meat.

  6. Step 5:

    Mix the minced meat thoroughly until smooth. It should turn out to be of medium density, not liquid. Leave the mince to stand for 5 minutes.

  7. Step 6:

    With slightly damp hands, shape the minced meat into medium sized patties and coat all sides in the breadcrumbs. You can also take store-bought breadcrumbs or make your own from dried and chopped white bread.

  8. Step 7:

    Place the patties in a parchment-lined baking dish. I got 8 cutlets.

  9. Step 8:

    Place an oblong piece of butter on top of each patty. Put the cutlets in an oven preheated to 180 ° C for 25-30 minutes. The exact time depends on the size and thickness of the patties, as well as on the features of your oven. Enjoy your meal!

Chicken can be substituted for turkey or any other meat of your choice. But keep in mind that in this case, the cooking time and calorie content of the dish will change.

Since the degree of salinity, sweetness, bitterness, spiciness, acidity, hotness is individual for everyone, always add spices, spices and seasonings, focusing on your taste! If you are adding any of the seasonings for the first time, then keep in mind that there are spices that are especially important not to shift (for example, chili pepper).

Please note that every oven is different. The temperature and cooking time may differ from those indicated in the recipe. To make any baked dish successful, use the useful information about the features of the ovens!


What is this code for?
Attention! A special application must be installed on the phone / tablet.

Read more about this code.">

Similar recipes

The remaining categories

Cutlets

meat in the oven baked recipes are quickly just

Chicken cutlets

Second hot dishes

Cutlets in the oven baked delicious recipes

9000 for children

Calorie content of products that can be included in the dish