Chicken & Avocado

Ingredients

• 100 gboneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1/2ripe avocado
• 2–3 tbspwater

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook the chicken

   Steam or poach the chicken breast for 15–18 minutes, until it is fully cooked through with no pink remaining.

2. 2

   Cool the chicken

   Leave the cooked chicken to cool completely.

3. 3

   Prepare the avocado

   Halve the avocado, remove the stone and scoop out the flesh.

4. 4

   Combine ingredients

   Put the cooled chicken and avocado flesh in a blender.

5. 5

   Blend until smooth

   Add 2–3 tablespoons of water and blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.

What is chicken and avocado purée?

This is a simple blended baby food rather than a traditional dish with a specific regional origin. It pairs cooked chicken with ripe avocado, then uses water to make a smooth purée.

Chicken provides a mild savoury flavour, while avocado gives the mixture a soft, creamy texture. The method keeps the ingredient list short and lets you adjust the consistency as you blend.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 240 calories, 23g protein, 6g carbs, 12g fat.

The chicken supplies most of the protein, while the avocado contributes most of the fat and some carbohydrate and fibre. To balance a meal for other family members, serve this alongside vegetables and a suitable source of carbohydrate; follow your baby’s individual feeding needs.

Choosing the ingredients

Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless meat is straightforward to cook and blend. Cook it thoroughly before using it in the purée.

Avocado: Choose one that yields slightly when pressed so the flesh blends easily. Remove the stone and scoop out all the flesh you plan to use.

Water: Start with the stated amount, then check the texture. The recipe uses water to loosen the mixture rather than adding another flavour.

Cooking the chicken safely

Steam or poach the chicken for 15–18 minutes, as directed, and check that it is cooked through with no pink remaining. Cooking time can vary with the thickness of the piece, so check the centre before blending.

Cool the chicken completely before adding it to the blender. Cut it into smaller pieces if needed to help the blender process it evenly.

Getting a smooth texture

Blend the chicken and avocado until no pieces remain, adding the water to help the blades move the mixture. Stop and scrape down the sides if the ingredients are sticking.

For a thinner purée, add water gradually and blend again. For a thicker result, use less of the measured water, checking that the texture is suitable for your baby.

Timing and preparation

The chicken takes 15–18 minutes to steam or poach; the remaining time allows for cooling, preparing the avocado and blending. The stated total time is 28 minutes, though cooling time can vary.

You can prepare the avocado while the chicken cooks, but wait until the chicken has cooled before combining the ingredients.

Serving the purée

Serve a small amount in a bowl and check that it is at a suitable temperature before offering it. Follow your baby’s readiness and the texture they can manage, and supervise them while they eat.

For a family meal, serve the baby’s portion separately rather than seasoning the whole mixture. This recipe does not include salt or other seasonings.

Recipe notes & tips

• Use a ripe avocado so it blends readily into the chicken.
• Cut the cooked chicken into smaller pieces if your blender struggles with larger chunks.
• Add the water gradually and stop when the purée reaches the texture you want.
• Scrape down the blender sides if some mixture remains out of reach of the blades.
• Check the chicken is fully cooked before cooling and blending.

Variations

• Thicker texture: Use less water and blend until the mixture is evenly smooth.
• Looser texture: Add the water a little at a time until the purée is easier to spoon.
• More avocado: Use additional ripe avocado for a creamier, less chicken-forward result.
• Batch cooking: Multiply the ingredients to prepare more portions, keeping the same cooking and doneness checks.
• Spoon-fed texture: Blend thoroughly as written, then check for any remaining pieces before serving.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Undercooked chicken: Check the centre and cook until fully done with no pink remaining.
• Blending warm chicken: Let it cool completely before combining it with the avocado.
• Adding all the water at once: Add it gradually so you can control the final consistency.
• Using firm avocado: Choose ripe fruit so it blends into a creamy purée.
• Leaving pieces behind: Scrape down the blender and blend again until completely smooth.

How to store

Refrigerate any unused purée promptly in a clean, covered container and use within 1–2 days. Reheat only the amount you need until hot throughout, then let it cool to a suitable serving temperature and stir well; discard food left in the baby’s bowl.

Frequently asked questions