Baking chicken for your baby is a low-cost and nutritious alternative to commercial baby foods. Although store-bought baby foods are safe and convenient, you can control how much salt, water and sugar goes into the homemade variety. Babies who are about 6 to 8 months old can handle foods that are slightly lumpy and textured such as baked chicken, however check with your pediatrician if you are unsure if your baby is ready.
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 2
Trim the skin, fat, bones, connective tissue and gristle away from the chicken pieces. If desired, sprinkle the meat with seasonings such as rosemary, parsley or paprika.
Step 3
Position the chicken in a single layer inside of a roasting pan or baking dish.
Step 4
Bake the chicken uncovered for up to 20 minutes. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. The internal temperature must reach at least 170 F.
Step 5
Remove the chicken from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
Step 6
Puree the chicken in a food mill or blender. Mix in a little chicken broth or water until you reach the desired texture. Instead of pureeing, you can just chop the chicken into very tiny pieces for older babies.
Tips and Warnings
- The National Network for Child Care recommends baking a large batch of chicken for your baby ahead of time and freezing individual portions in ice cube trays. Remove the cubes once frozen and tightly seal the chicken in a freezer bag. Reheat in a small bowl of water when you are ready to serve. You can store frozen chicken in the freezer for up to one month.
- To prevent the spread of food borne illness, always wash your hands, equipment and cooking surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after baking chicken baby food. Use caution when reheating your baby's food in the microwave because they can create hot spots that can severely burn your baby. Always stir well and test the temperature yourself before serving.
Things You'll Need
- Chicken
- Roasting pan or baking dish
- Seasonings such as rosemary, parsley or paprika
- Meat thermometer
- Food mill or blender
- Chicken broth or water
- Ice cube trays
- Freezer bag
References
- Better Homes and Gardens: How to Bake Chicken Breast
- National Network for Child Care; Making Baby Food; Elisabeth Schafer and Nicholas K. Fradgley
- Babycenter; How to Make Your Own Baby Food; March 2010
- Babycenter; Baby Food Revolution: New Rules for Feeding Your Baby; Evonne Lack; November 2009
- The University of Maine; Making Your Own Baby Food; Nellie Hedstrom; 2002
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