Baby and toddler recipes

🥬 Chicken and spinach saag

Name: Chicken and spinach saag
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: about 6 baby portions
Ingredients: 3 boneless thighs Chicken thigh; 200g Spinach; 1 Onion; 1 clove Garlic; 1 tsp Ginger; ½ tsp Cumin; ¼ tsp Garam masala; 1 Tomato; 3 tbsp Yoghurt; 1 tsp Ghee; to serve Chapati

Tender chicken in a silky, gently spiced spinach sauce with a little yoghurt. A mild take on a South Asian classic, with iron from the spinach and protein from the chicken.

From 9 monthsPrep 10 minCook 30 minFreezes wellContains: Milk, Gluten

Makes about 6 baby portions

Ingredients

3 boneless thighs Chicken thigh (skin removed, diced small)
200g Spinach (washed)
1 Onion (finely chopped)
1 clove Garlic
1 tsp Ginger (grated)
½ tsp Cumin
¼ tsp Garam masala
1 Tomato (chopped)
3 tbsp Yoghurt (plain full-fat)
1 tsp Ghee
to serve Chapati

Method

Wilt the spinach in a dry pan, then blend to a smooth puree.
Soften the onion in the ghee for 8 minutes, then add the garlic, ginger and spices and stir for 1 minute.
Add the chicken and tomato and cook for 5 minutes.
Stir in the spinach puree and a splash of water. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Take off the heat and stir in the yoghurt.

Serving it to your baby

At 9 months, shred the chicken finely and serve with strips of soft chapati for dipping. For younger babies from 7 months, blend the whole dish to a smooth or lumpy texture.

For the rest of the family

Add salt, green chilli and a squeeze of lemon to the adult portions, with rice and naan.

Storing and reheating

Cool quickly (within an hour), then keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze in baby portions for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, reheat until steaming hot all the way through, stir well and let it cool before serving. Never reheat more than once.

How to introduce milk · How to introduce gluten

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Questions parents ask

Does spinach give babies iron?

Spinach contains iron, though the body absorbs it less easily than iron from meat. Serving it with chicken and vitamin C rich tomato helps.

Is garam masala too spicy for babies?

Garam masala is a warm blend rather than a hot one, so a small pinch is fine. Check the label has no chilli or added salt.

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).