Baby and toddler recipes
🍲 Batch cook chicken and butternut casserole cubes
A gentle one-pot chicken casserole with butternut squash, leek and potato, blended into freezer cubes. A mild, comforting meal that introduces poultry early and keeps for months.
Makes about 16 ice cube portions
Ingredients
- 300g boneless, skinless Chicken thigh (diced)
- 300g Butternut squash (peeled and diced)
- 1 small Leek (washed and finely sliced)
- 1 medium Potato (peeled and diced)
- a few sprigs Thyme (leaves only)
- 1 tbsp Rapeseed oil
- 400ml water no stock for babies
Method
- Soften the leek in the oil for 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes, stirring.
- Add the squash, potato, thyme and water. Cover and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are very soft.
- Blend smooth for 6 month olds, or pulse to a coarse texture for older babies.
- Cool, spoon into ice cube trays and freeze.
Serving it to your baby
Serve 2 to 4 cubes at 6 months, increasing with appetite. From 8 months skip the blender and shred the chicken finely instead, so baby gets more texture and can pick up pieces.
For the rest of the family
Make the adult portion into a fuller casserole with a low-salt stock, mustard and seasoning after baby's share is set aside.
Storing and reheating
Cool within an hour, then fridge for up to 2 days or freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, reheat until piping hot all the way through, stir well and cool to warm. Never reheat more than once.
Weaning with OBubba
Plan meals and log what your baby loved.
OBubba keeps a record of every food your baby has tried and spots the allergens for you, so you always know what is next. Free to download.
Questions parents ask
Can I use stock cubes in baby food?
Standard stock cubes are high in salt, so it is best to use plain water for babies under 12 months. The vegetables and herbs give plenty of flavour.
How many cubes should my baby eat?
Appetites vary a lot. Start with one or two cubes and follow baby's cues, offering more if they lean in and open their mouth.
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).