AGE
9–10m+
Shredded Chicken & Veggie Mash (Baby · 9–10 months+)
iBuddies parent community · Tender chicken · Veggie mash
Shredded Chicken & Veggie Mash
Tender chicken finely shredded × soft sweet potato mash — from smooth purée to delicate shreds, perfect for baby starting to handle more texture 🍗
Once baby is past 9 months, they can start to manage food with a bit more texture. This shredded chicken and veggie mash uses tender New Zealand chicken thigh, steamed until very soft and finely shredded, blended with soft, naturally sweet sweet potato — smooth where it counts, with delicate shreds to practise chewing. It's gentle, easy to eat and quietly iron-rich.
Ingredients
- New Zealand Hormone-Free Chicken ThighShop ↗ (hormone-free chicken thigh)1 pc
- Sweet potato (peeled and cubed)1/2
- Water, unsalted broth or milk2–4 tbsp
Method
- Steam until softSteam or boil the chicken and cubed sweet potato until very soft. The chicken must be cooked through, no pink, juices run clear.
- Shred and mashFinely shred or chop the chicken; mash the sweet potato.
- Blend to textureBlend everything together. Add a little water, unsalted broth or milk for a smoother, looser texture.
- Cool and serveLet it cool to lukewarm before serving baby.
Safety notes
- Cook the chicken fully — cooked through, no pink, juices run clear. Never serve undercooked.
- Allergens: none of the common allergens. If this is baby's first time with chicken or a new vegetable, introduce one new food at a time and watch for 2–3 days.
- No added salt, sugar or honey under 1. The chicken and sweet potato are naturally sweet and savoury — no seasoning needed.
- Seasoning for adults / 1y+ only: set aside baby's portion before adding any salt or seasoning to your own.
- Shred the chicken finely and mash the veg smooth, serve warm, with baby seated and supervised.
Why it's great for baby
Chicken thigh is tender and well-marbled, easier to shred into fine strands than breast, and gives baby quality protein and iron to support growth and energy after 9 months. Sweet potato is soft, naturally sweet and rich in beta-carotene and fibre. Together they make a bowl that's smooth yet textured — an ideal bridge towards more solid food.
Quality protein
Iron
Chewing practice
Texture transition
Tips
Adjust texture by age: for younger babies or those new to texture, chop the chicken finer and mash the sweet potato completely smooth; for older babies, leave more shreds to practise chewing.
Batch ahead: steam extra chicken and sweet potato, portion into small servings and chill or freeze, then warm and stir through before serving.
Share with adults: after setting aside baby's portion, the same steamed chicken and veg can be seasoned with salt, herbs or sauce for the grown-ups.
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Shared by the iBuddies parent community 💛 Thank you to the parents swapping baby-recipe ideas. Got your own version? Come share it with us in the community.
Recipe card (save it)
Tender chicken, gentle iron — start with one good thigh 🍗
iBuddies New Zealand Hormone-Free Chicken Thigh is hormone-free and beautifully tender — easy to shred into fine strands for baby to practise with, rich in protein and iron.
Shop New Zealand Hormone-Free Chicken Thigh More baby recipes