NZ Hormone-Free Chicken Bone Broth & Rice for Babies (12m+)
Chicken Bone Broth & Rice Bowl
Simmering a chicken drumstick low and slow produces a golden, mineral-rich bone broth that no store-bought stock can replicate. The collagen, gelatin, and natural minerals released from the bone create a deeply nourishing cooking liquid — and then you cook the rice in it.
Every grain of rice absorbs that golden broth, making this a complete and utterly satisfying baby meal. It is the Cantonese tradition of 雞湯 distilled into the simplest possible weeknight dinner for your little one.
Ingredients
Makes approx. 2 baby servings. Freeze in a covered container for up to 1 month.
How to Make
Place the chicken drumstick in a small saucepan with 800ml cold water (and ginger slice if using). Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 30 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Lift out the drumstick. Strip all meat from the bone, shred finely, and set aside. Discard the bone and ginger. Skim any visible fat from the broth surface.
Strain broth through a fine sieve. Return 500ml of broth to the pan, add rinsed rice, and simmer on low heat for 18–20 minutes, stirring often, until rice is completely soft.
Stir shredded chicken into the broth rice. Adjust consistency with a little water if needed. Cool to a safe temperature and serve warm. Freeze leftovers in a covered container for up to 1 month.
The Power of Bone Broth
Bone broth cooked from a real drumstick delivers nutrients that pre-packaged stock simply cannot match. No artificial flavourings, no sodium, no additives — just pure, mineral-rich cooking liquid from quality NZ chicken.
Tips for Parents
As the broth first comes to a boil, skim off and discard the grey foam that rises to the surface. This removes impurities and produces a cleaner, clearer golden broth for your baby.
A thin slice of fresh ginger (removed before serving) is a traditional Cantonese addition that reduces the "gamey" note in chicken broth. Only introduce ginger after your baby has been eating meat confidently for a few weeks.
You can simmer 2–3 drumsticks at once to make a larger batch of broth. Cool completely and freeze in ice cube trays — each cube is a perfect portion for cooking baby rice or soup later.
Do not add salt, soy sauce, or any seasoning to this dish. The natural savouriness of real chicken bone broth is all the flavour this rice needs — and more than enough for your baby.
Get the Chicken Drumstick
120g bone-in packs, vacuum-sealed and ready in your freezer. Buy 10+ packs for free delivery.
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