AGE
6m+
Yam, Carrot & Chicken Millet Porridge (Baby · 6m+)
From the iBuddies parent community · Gentle on tummies · Baby porridge
Yam, Carrot & Chicken Millet Porridge
Yellow millet × fresh yam × minced New Zealand chicken thigh — creamy, warming and easy to digest, one comforting bowl 🍚
When the weather turns or baby's appetite dips, nothing comforts quite like a warm bowl of porridge. This millet porridge starts with a base of yellow millet and white rice, with finely minced New Zealand chicken thigh, fresh yam and carrot. Yam has long been treasured as a gentle, tummy-friendly food — soft and starchy, paired with tender minced chicken and sweet carrot, it cooks down creamy and easy to digest. Protein, carbs and veg in one bowl, just right for babies 6 months and older to take slowly.
Ingredients
Porridge base
- Yellow milletabout 1 tbsp
- White riceabout 1 tbsp
- Water (adjust to the thickness you want)about 250–300ml
Add-ins
- New Zealand Hormone-Free Chicken ThighShop ↗ (finely minced)about 20–30g
- Fresh yam (peeled)about 30–40g
- Carrot (peeled)about 20–30g
Method
- PrepRinse the white rice and yellow millet (soaking for 30 minutes helps them break down). Peel and finely dice the yam and carrot (for younger babies, steam and mash them first). Loosen the minced chicken with a little water.
- Cook the porridgePut the white rice, millet and water (about 250–300ml) in a pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower to medium-low and cook for about 10–15 minutes, until the millet just opens. Add the diced yam, carrot and minced chicken and stir well so the chicken doesn't clump or stick.
- Simmer thickLower to a gentle simmer, cover (leaving a small gap so it doesn't boil over) and cook for a further 15–20 minutes, until everything is soft and the porridge is thick, stirring now and then, making sure the chicken is cooked through, no pink, juices run clear.
- Adjust texture6–7 months: let the porridge cool slightly, then blend smooth (add a little water if needed). 8 months and older: simply mash the larger pieces with a fork or spoon, leaving some small bits to practise chewing.
- ServeCool to a safe temperature for baby (about 37–40°C — test on the inside of your wrist) and serve.
Safety notes
- The minced chicken must be fully cooked — cooked through, no pink, juices run clear; never serve underdone.
- Allergens: none of the common allergens. If any ingredient is new, introduce one new food at a time and watch for 2–3 days for any reaction.
- No added salt, sugar or honey under 1. Fresh yam and carrot are already naturally sweet, so no seasoning is needed.
- If you want to season (salt, light soy, etc.), keep it for the adults' or a 1y+ portion only, and use very little.
- The mucilage from fresh yam can make skin itchy — wear gloves to peel it. Serve the porridge warm, with baby seated and supervised.
Why it's great for baby
Chicken thigh is tender with a touch of richness; finely minced it's easy to chew, and it brings quality protein and iron to support growth and healthy blood. Fresh yam is soft, starchy and easy to digest — long regarded as a gentle, tummy-friendly food, ideal for delicate little stomachs. Yellow millet and white rice give easily absorbed carbs and energy, while carrot adds beta-carotene (a vitamin A precursor) and fibre. One bowl with protein, carbs and veg all in.
Quality protein
Gentle on tummies
Easy to digest
Iron source
Tips
Cook once, freeze in portions: make a bigger batch, divide into small tubs and freeze in single servings — just steam to warm before serving, and use within a few days for best freshness.
Share with adults: after you've set aside baby's portion, season the adults' share (a little salt, pepper, spring onion) — one pot, two meals.
Texture by age: for younger babies, steam and mash the yam and carrot first and blend the porridge smooth; for older babies, leave small bits to slowly practise chewing and swallowing.
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Recipe card (save it)
A warm bowl of porridge, starting with good meat 🍚
iBuddies' New Zealand Hormone-Free Chicken Thigh is hormone-free, tender and fragrant — finely minced into porridge it cooks up silky, for protein and iron in every spoon.
Shop New Zealand Hormone-Free Chicken Thigh More baby recipes