The Chicken-Carrot Mash is a great baby meal to introduce new foods. It has just 3 ingredients, 2 of which you have ideally already introduced.
With a 6-month-old baby, you will likely have started introducing solid foods, one at a time. So chances are your baby has been eating one single food at a time for a week or so until you have a shortlist of food they have tasted and are able to eat.
It might be time to mix it up a little.
With several foods on your list, you can start combining them to introduce new meals.
The Chicken-Carrot Mash is a perfect example. It has just 3 ingredients, 2 of which you have ideally already introduced.
For us the chicken and carrot have already been on our list of baby-approved foods, so we're going to add a little olive oil here.
Chicken Carrot Mash Ingredients
To make this Chicken Carrot Mash, you will need the following ingredients:
Chicken. Free range chickens should be our first choice here, especially when serving to babies. But whichever chicken you have to choose from, try to make sure that it hasn't been treated with hormones or antibiotics. Although the recipe says to use chicken breast you can also use dark meat if you want to.
Carrots. If possible, try to choose organic carrots. Nevertheless make sure to peel them before cooking if your child is younger than 8 months. For older children you don't really need to peel organic carrots but I still do so out of habit.
Olive oil. I prefer to always use olive oil when cooking for my child as I find that it has the best fatty acid profile. But really any vegetable oil such as sunflower or flaxseed oil you use here is a good choice.
Chicken Carrot Mash Nutritional Benefits
Chicken. Chicken is a great source of lean protein and it has good amounts of iron which is crucial for your little one at this age.
Carrots. Carrots have loads of beta carotene which is great for our eyesight, and their sweet taste helps the meal to be tastier.
Olive oil. Olive oil is loaded with "good" fats which protect the heart and provide loads of energy – crucial for the growth and development of your baby.
How To Prepare Chicken Carrot Mash
Prepare the carrots. Wash, peel and slice the carrot into tiny pieces (if baby-led weaning cut into long thin pieces and if you will be serving as a puree cut into small cubes). Add the carrot in a pot or pan with enough water to cover it. Bring to boil and cook for about 15 minutes
Add the chicken. Slice the chicken into tiny pieces (if baby-led weaning cut into long thin pieces and if you will be serving as a puree cut into small cubes). After 15 minutes of cooking the carrots, add the sliced chicken breast and cook for another 15 minutes
Finalize. Once finished, take out the pan and drizzle with olive oil. Allow to cool for 5 minutes
How to BLW. If following baby-led weaning, cut into long strips so baby can grasp.
How to puree. If pureeing then add to a blender with a tablespoon of water. Keep adding tablespoon by tablespoon of water as necessary to achieve desired consistency
Possible Chicken Carrot Mash Variations
Mix the veggies. To make this Chicken Carrot Mash, you don't need to use carrots. You can actually use any other veggie of choice. We find carrots being a good choice because of their creamy texture and slightly sweet taste but pumpkin, butternut squash or sweet potato would be a great substitute.
Mix the meat. You also don't specifically need to use chicken as a meat and protein source in this dish. Lamb, beef, turkey and any other meat you choose to serve to your baby can pair perfectly with any veggies.
Mix the oil. Olive oil is always my first choice. For kids and for the whole family also. I find it has the best fatty acid profile for our bodies. But any other vegetable oil will provide fats and energy also. Do try to avoid ones with very distinct aroma such as coconut or nut-oils.
More 6 Month Old Recipes
Looking for more 6 Month Old Recipes? Check these out:
Wean With Confidence
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Chicken-Carrot Mash
Ingredients
- 1.4 oz chicken breast (skinless, boneless)
- 1 medium sized carrot
- ½ tsp olive oil
Instructions
- Wash, peel and slice the carrot into tiny pieces (if baby-led weaning cut into long thin pieces and if you will be serving as a puree cut into small cubes)
- Add the carrot in a pot or pan with enough water to cover it. Bring to boil and cook for about 15 minutes
- After 15 minutes add the sliced chicken breast and cook for another 15 minutes
- Once finished, take out the pan and drizzle with olive oil
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes
- If following baby-led weaning, cut into long strips so baby can grasp. If pureeing then add to a blender with a tbsp of water. Keep adding water as necessary to achieve desired consistency
Video
Nutrition
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