Baby and toddler recipes
🍗 Mild jerk-style chicken with rice and peas
Chicken drumsticks rubbed with allspice, thyme and spring onion, served with coconut rice and kidney beans. A gentle Caribbean favourite with the heat left out for little ones.
Makes about 3 toddler portions plus 2 adult
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken drumstick (skin removed)
- ½ tsp Allspice
- 1 tsp Thyme (dried)
- 3 Spring onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp Ginger (grated)
- 1 Lime (juice)
- 200g Basmati rice (rinsed)
- 1 x 400g tin Kidney beans (no added salt, drained)
- 200ml Coconut milk
- Water (about 250ml)
Method
- Mix the allspice, thyme, half the spring onion, garlic, ginger and lime and rub over the chicken. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Roast at 200C (180C fan) for 35 to 40 minutes until the juices run clear and there is no pink by the bone.
- Meanwhile, put the rice, beans, coconut milk, water and remaining spring onion in a pan. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is soft.
- Pull the chicken from the bones for your toddler, checking carefully for small bones and gristle.
Serving it to your baby
From 12 months, shred the chicken and squash the beans. Toddlers love gnawing on a large drumstick, but remove skin, loose bone and cartilage first and stay close by. For babies from 9 months, shred finely and mash the rice and peas.
For the rest of the family
Add scotch bonnet and salt to the adult marinade, or brush the adult drumsticks with hot sauce before roasting.
Storing and reheating
Cool quickly and keep in the fridge for up to 1 day (because of the rice). Reheat until steaming hot throughout, then cool before serving. Never reheat more than once.
Weaning with OBubba
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Questions parents ask
Is jerk seasoning ok for babies?
Shop-bought jerk seasonings are often salty and hot. A homemade mild rub like this gives the flavour without the heat or salt.
What are rice and peas?
A Caribbean side of rice cooked with coconut milk and beans, usually kidney beans or gungo peas. It is soft, filling and full of fibre.
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).