Since most baby formulas are fortified with iron and other important micronutrients, it’s not as important for formula-fed babies to get the additional iron found in dark meat. Ask your pediatrician whether dark meat or white meat is a better choice for your baby. [5] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Chicken thighs are also higher in fat compared to the breasts, which makes them more flavorful and easier to puree. [6] X Research source You will need 1-2 thighs to make about ½ cup (approximately 65 g) of cooked chicken. A single 6 oz (170 g) bone-in, skin-on thigh will yield about 3 ounces (85 g) of meat, but you’ll need more if you’re using small thighs. [7] X Research source
Chicken skin does not puree well. [9] X Research source If you leave it on, you may end up with large pieces of skin in your puree, which could cause your baby to choke.
Putting the chicken in your freezer for 15 minutes before you slice it will make it easier to cut. [11] X Research source Always take care when using a sharp knife. Keep your fingertips curled under when holding the chicken in place so you don’t accidentally cut them.
The amount of time this takes will vary depending on how much liquid is in the pan. Check the pan frequently so you don’t lose track and overcook your chicken.
Take care not to overcook the chicken, or it will become tough and chewy. Always make sure the chicken is completely cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C), or else it won’t be safe to eat. [16] X Expert Source Monica Moreno, MS, RD, LD/NRegistered Dietitian Expert Interview. 17 June 2021.
Using the cooking broth will add flavor and help restore some of the nutrients that were lost during the poaching process.
Wait until the chicken is cool enough to comfortably touch. Be sure to assemble your blender or food processor before adding the chicken to the bowl!
Don’t add all of the liquid at once. You may not need all of it, and adding too much can make your puree runny.
Some food processors have a feed tube that allows you to add extra ingredients while the machine is running. If you don’t have this feature, you will have to stop the machine and uncover it to add any more liquid or other ingredients.
Using the “pulse” feature will help ensure that your chicken is evenly blended. [25] X Research source
This process should only take a few minutes, but the time you need may vary depending on your blender or food processor.
Avoid adding too much liquid so your puree doesn’t get runny. If your puree does become too runny, you can thicken it by adding more chicken. [28] X Research source
To avoid giving your baby too much sugar, use 100% unsweetened juice. [30] X Research source
Use a small amount of any seasoning at first so that your baby can get used to the new flavor. Wait to try this until your baby has already tried pure chicken puree, and only experiment with 1 seasoning at a time. If your baby is allergic to a food or seasoning, this will make it easier to tell which ingredients to avoid in the future.
Steaming your fruits or vegetables rather than boiling them will help them taste better and retain more of their nutrients. Add about 1/4 cup (approx. 45 g) of the cooked fruits vegetables to the blender or food processor along with the chicken. Try combining chicken with apples, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes, peas, or spinach. Only experiment with 1 new ingredient at a time so that you can easily identify any foods your baby is allergic to.
