Chicken is a popular household staple because of its nutritional value and versatility. But there are often a lot of questions when it comes to introducing it to your child. When is a child old enough to begin eating chicken? How should it be cooked so that it’s delicious and secure for them?
Many times, parents are curious about how to feed chicken to their infant in a way that won’t harm their developing digestive system. Chicken is a fantastic option for growing children because it’s high in essential nutrients and proteins. However, it’s crucial to understand how to introduce it correctly.
This post will discuss when it’s ideal to introduce chicken to your child as well as offer some delectable and simple recipes, like chicken soufflé, that are appropriate for picky eaters. It can be easy and joyful for you and your child to introduce chicken to their diet if you follow the proper instructions.
Age Group | Chicken Dishes |
6-8 months | Chicken puree, small portions of finely minced chicken |
9-12 months | Chicken soufflé, small bites of soft-cooked chicken |
12-24 months | Chicken strips, chicken soup, finely chopped chicken in casseroles |
2 years and older | Grilled chicken pieces, chicken sandwiches, chicken salad |
- Benefits of chicken meat
- Harm of chicken for a child
- From what age can you give it
- How to make chicken soufflé
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Benefits of chicken meat
- Chicken is a source of proteins, which contain all the amino acids important for the development of children.
- Since chicken contains little fat, such meat is considered a dietary product.
- From chicken meat, the child will receive iron, cobalt, phosphorus, zinc and many other trace elements, as well as vitamins.
- Since the structure of chicken dishes is denser, the baby will learn to chew more actively.
Harm of chicken for a child
- Some children develop an allergy to the proteins contained in chicken meat. Its symptoms are often represented by a rash, itchy skin, swelling.
- With excessive consumption of chicken, the load on the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract of the baby increases.
Store-bought chicken may be of questionable quality and tainted with dangerous ingredients like antibiotics. Try to purchase homemade chicken from reputable vendors.
As early as six months, a child can begin eating chicken, but it’s crucial to prepare it in a way that makes it easy to digest, like a puree or soufflé. These foods help babies get the nourishment they require while progressively broadening their palates by providing a gentle introduction to new textures and flavors.
From what age can you give it
After introducing them to less allergenic meats (turkey, rabbit), infants as young as eight months old are first given chicken in the form of meat puree. The lean portion of the bird is blended after it has been cooked through by boiling it.
The puree is thinned with breast milk or a tiny bit of formula to give it a more delicate consistency and to suit the baby better.
Half a teaspoon should be the first amount of such puree to be consumed. The amount is increased gradually while maintaining a normal tolerance.
The child can start giving chicken broth a month after first experiencing boiled chicken. They can add 30 to 50 milliliters of chicken broth to soups made with cereal and vegetables or pureed vegetables. For the first time, a vegetable dish is served with just one or two spoons of broth, and the baby’s body is observed to see how it responds. The amount of broth is gradually increased if symptoms of allergies and other issues do not manifest.
One-year-olds can safely be given chicken soup cooked in broth. Additionally, dishes made with minced chicken (prepared at home) that are baked or boiled are served to children older than one year. Children should not be served fried chicken until they are at least three years old.
How to make chicken soufflé
For children older than one year old, this recipe for souffle is advised.
Children enjoy this chicken dish because of its flavorful and tender texture.
To get ready, take:
- 100 g boiled chicken fillet
- 1 chicken egg
- 1 tbsp. spoon of rice
- 2 tbsp. spoon of milk
- 1 tsp. spoon of butter
After being cooked until soft, the fillet is first divided into pieces and blended until smooth. To make a thick porridge, boil rice with milk. It is blended once more before being added to the chicken puree.
Melted butter is added to the mixture after the yolk has been added. Beat the protein on its own until a thick foam forms, then gently fold it into the chicken mass and place it into a mold. The soufflé is taken out of the mold once it has cooled down after being steam-cooked for roughly 20 minutes. This dish can be served with different side dishes, like buckwheat porridge, or it can be served on its own.
Including chicken in your child’s diet can be a fantastic way to increase nutrition and variety. Small amounts of well-cooked chicken can generally be introduced to babies between the ages of 6 and 8 months, provided they have had experience with other solid foods and do not exhibit any symptoms of allergies.
Purees, finely shredded chicken, or soufflé are good options for a gentle introduction. These foods combine well with grains or vegetables to make a well-balanced meal, and they are simple to digest. Don’t forget to hold off on adding sugar, salt, or strong spices just yet.
You can experiment with different chicken recipes as your child gets older, adding more flavor and texture over time. When introducing new foods to your child, pay attention to their reactions and preferences. If you have any concerns, speak with your pediatrician.