Chicken & Sweet Potato

Ingredients

• 100 gboneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 medium (about 150 g)sweet potato
• 3–4 tbspwater

Instructions

1. 1

   Dice the sweet potato

   Peel the sweet potato and cut it into small cubes.

2. 2

   Steam the sweet potato

   Steam the cubes for 15–18 minutes, until very tender.

3. 3

   Steam the chicken

   Cut the chicken breast into pieces and steam for 15–18 minutes, until fully cooked through.

4. 4

   Cool the ingredients

   Let the sweet potato and chicken cool slightly.

5. 5

   Blend until smooth

   Put the chicken and sweet potato in a blender. Add 3–4 tablespoons of water and blend until completely smooth.

What is chicken and sweet potato purée?

This is a simple baby-food purée combining cooked chicken breast with sweet potato. Both ingredients are steamed, then blended with water to make a smooth mixture.

The recipe is built around a soft texture and a short ingredient list. Its sweet potato adds a naturally mild flavour alongside the savoury chicken.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 249 calories, 24g protein, 30g carbs, 3g fat.

Sweet potato supplies most of the carbohydrates, while the chicken provides most of the protein. The chicken also contributes a small amount of fat; serving the purée with an age-appropriate food from another food group can make a more varied meal.

Why steam the ingredients separately?

Sweet potato: cutting it into small cubes helps it become very tender in the stated steaming time.

Chicken: steaming the pieces separately lets you check that they are fully cooked before blending.

Getting a smooth texture

Blend the cooked ingredients until no pieces remain. Add the measured water to help the blender process the mixture.

If the texture is thicker than you want, adjust it gradually with a little more water, checking the consistency as you blend.

How to check doneness

Sweet potato: it should be very tender after 15–18 minutes of steaming and easy to break apart.

Chicken: make sure it is fully cooked through after 15–18 minutes; the exact time can vary with the size of the pieces.

Serving the purée

Allow the purée to cool to a suitable temperature before serving. Follow your usual guidance for introducing foods and for the texture appropriate to your baby.

This recipe makes one serving as written. Serve it on its own or alongside other age-appropriate foods.

Recipe notes & tips

• Cut the sweet potato into evenly sized small cubes so they steam at a similar rate.
• Keep the chicken pieces similar in size to help them cook evenly.
• Check that the chicken is fully cooked before blending.
• Add the water as the blender runs if you want to control the consistency.
• Let the ingredients cool slightly before blending.

Variations

• Thicker purée: use less of the measured water and blend until the texture suits your needs.
• Looser purée: add a little extra water gradually while blending.
• Other vegetables: replace some of the sweet potato with another cooked vegetable suitable for your baby.
• Batch cooking: multiply the ingredient amounts to make several portions.
• Chunkier texture: blend less finely only when your baby is ready for a less smooth texture.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Large sweet potato cubes: they may take longer to soften; cut them into small, even pieces.
• Undercooked chicken: it is not ready to blend; steam until fully cooked through.
• Adding all the water at once: the purée may become too loose; add it gradually.
• Blending while very hot: let the ingredients cool slightly first.
• Stopping too soon: unblended pieces remain; continue until the mixture is completely smooth.

How to store

Cool promptly and store in a clean, covered container in the fridge for up to 2 days, or freeze in individual portions. Reheat a portion thoroughly, stir well and check that it has cooled to a suitable temperature before serving; discard any food left in the serving bowl.

Frequently asked questions