Slow Cooker Chicken Curry For Babies and Toddler
Table of Contents
Can Babies Have Chicken Curry?
Yes! Chicken curry for babies is a delightful and nutritious option for babies embarking on their journey of baby led weaning. It is an excellent mild chicken curry recipe to introduce a range of new flavours and textures to their developing palates.
Made with tender pieces of chicken thigh cooked in a mild curry sauce, this dish provides a balanced combination of protein and essential nutrients required for growth.
The soft and easily chewable chicken, coupled with the aromatic spices and vegetables, adds a burst of exciting tastes that will captivate your little one's taste buds.
Chicken curry for baby-led weaning is not only a delicious meal but also a fantastic way to introduce them to the diverse world of spices and create a foundation for a lifelong love of flavourful recipes.
Slow Cooking Chicken
Slow cooking chicken is a great option for baby-led weaning due to its numerous benefits. First and foremost, slow cooking ensures that the chicken becomes incredibly tender, making it easier for little ones to chew and swallow.
The gentle cooking process also helps retain the essential nutrients and flavours of the chicken, enriching the dish. Moreover, slow cooking allows you to infuse the chicken with various herbs and spices, thereby introducing new tastes and aromas to your baby's palate.
This method of cooking also requires minimal effort, as you can simply throw the chicken in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.
The convenience and versatility of slow cooking chicken make it an excellent choice for introducing solid foods to your little one during their weaning journey.
Chicken For Baby
Chicken is an excellent addition to a baby-led weaning diet, providing numerous benefits for little ones embarking on their journey of solid foods. Packed with high-quality protein, chicken aids in the growth and development of strong muscles and bones.
The meat is also an excellent source of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12, which are crucial for a healthy immune system and brain development.
Chicken’s soft texture and mild flavour make it a versatile choice for introducing different tastes and textures to babies, helping them develop a diverse palate. It is also low in sodium, making it a heart-healthy option for little ones.
By incorporating chicken into their diet, babies can enjoy a flavourful and nutrient-dense food that supports their overall growth and development.
Slow Cooker
In today's fast-paced world, investing in a slow cooker can be a game-changer for those seeking convenience and efficiency in the kitchen.
Slow cookers offer lots of benefits that make them a must-have appliance for any home cook. Whether you're a busy professional, a parent juggling multiple responsibilities, or simply someone who values yummy meals without spending hours in the kitchen, a slow cooker is the solution you've been looking for.
With its click and go functionality, a slow cooker allows you to dump in your ingredients, set the cooking time, and go about your day worry-free. Imagine coming home to the aroma of a beautifully tender, home-cooked meal such as this chicken curry waiting for you.
Slow cooking enhances the flavours and textures of ingredients, making your dishes more rich and intense. From savoury stews and soups to succulent roasts and delectable desserts, a slow cooker is the versatile tool that will effortlessly elevate your culinary repertoire.
So, invest in a slow cooker today and let this kitchen magician do all the hard work while you savour the mouth-watering results.
Spices For Baby
Introducing spices to babies can be incredibly beneficial for their development and overall food experience.
By gradually introducing mild spices like cinnamon, ginger, or turmeric, we not only enhance the flavour profile of their meals but also expose them to a world of diverse tastes from an early age.
Spices are packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants, which can support their immune system and promote healthy digestion.
Introducing a variety of flavours early on can help broaden their palate, making them more likely to accept and enjoy a wider range of healthy foods as they grow older.
It's important to start slowly, using small amounts and monitoring their reaction, but when done thoughtfully, introducing spices can be a flavourful and enriching addition to a baby's diet.
Ingredient information
Chicken - I have used chicken thighs but you can use chicken breasts if you prefer.
Onion - One onion is all you need for the recipe.
Garlic paste - You could use 2 garlic cloves instead.
Turmeric - A lovely earthy flavour for the curry.
Coriander - I have used ground coriander, a great spice to have in the store cupboard.
Cumin - I have used ground cumin, a great versatile spice which can be used in many recipes for baby;
Mild Curry Powder - I use a salt free curry powder. A great spice to have without the salt.
Tomato paste - Perfect to have as one of your staples, I store in the fridge once opened.
Coconut milk - You can use a light or full fat coconut milk for the recipe.
Black pepper - I only season using black pepper and no salt.
Ground almonds - This really does bring the whole curry together at the end, you could leave this out for nut free babies.
Serving suggestion
The perfect accompaniment for this curry dish is some rice, I have served with some brown rice. You could also serve with some naan bread too., or a cauliflower traybake.
Alternatively you can blitz this for babies if you wish.
Other recipes you may like: Chicken nuggets, Baked chicken meatballs or Creamy chicken risotto.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
I Do Not Have A Slow Cooker
If you do not have a slow cooker, not to worry you can still enjoy this recipe, All you will need to do is follow the recipe, but instead of popping all the ingredients in the slow cooker, you will need to add all the ingredients to an oven proof dish (with a lid if possible, if not cover with tin foil)
I use a roasting tin! Pop into a preheated oven on 160C/320F and cook for 3-4 hours. Add in the ground almonds at the end as per the recipe and stir and serve with sides.
Storage instructions
The curry can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Or you can store in airtight containers in the freezer for up to 3 months. Its best to label the freezer bag and airtight container with the item and the date.
To defrost the chicken curry, thaw in the fridge overnight, once fully defrosted, you can reheat the chicken curry.
To reheat the chicken curry, preheat your oven to 180C/350F and reheat for up to 20-25 minutes. You can also re heat on the hob on a medium heat until piping hot.
Once thawed and reheated you will not be able to refreeze and store.
Equipment used to help with this recipe
No salt curry powder - I found and liked this curry powder that is mildly spiced and, more importantly, salt free.
Slow cooker liners - Food safe liners, disposable and BPA free - these are a great idea for lining the slow cooker pot.
Airtight container - I much prefer the click-shut lids on these containers compared to others. They are also dishwasher and freezer safe and BPA free, so very suitable for food use.
Roasting tin - The design of this ovenproof dish allows for self-basting and will keep the food moist. It also has a non-stick coating, so is easy to clean!
Slow cooker - A slow cooker is well worth the investment. I use one that has a non-stick removable pan for ease of cleaning, and an in-built timer.
Recipe | Slow Cooker Chicken Curry For Babies and Toddler
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
600g boneless skinless chicken thighs (or you can use chicken breast, cubed or whole and shred once cooked)
1 medium onion, diced
1 tablespoon garlic paste or 4 crushed garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
5 tablespoons tomato paste
1 400g can coconut milk
A grind of black pepper
4-5 tablespoons ground almonds
Instructions
Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker, and stir! I would highly recommend using a slow cooker liner - saves time when it comes to clearing up!
Pop the lid on and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
Once cooked and the time is up, add in the ground almonds, stir and serve with rice and broccoli/cauliflower, and leave to cool before serving to your baby.
Hope you and your whole family enjoy!
Recipe notes
This can also be a great veggie curry too, add in some potatoes, cauliflower and spinach and this will be a delightful veggie curry too!
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A finger food option for baby and toddler. Great as a snack or a fun way to introduce peanuts to baby. Use natural peanut butter without added sugars or salt.