Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala for Baby Led Weaning

Chicken Tikka Masala is one of the most popular curries in both Ireland and the UK. I have no doubt about it, because this particular Healthy Chicken Tikka Masala is the MOST popular recipe on Baby Led Feeding since I started.  It is my kids favourite dish of all time and this week they have been hounding me to make it again for them. So! I decided to reshoot it, and to do a video too! Whoop. I don’t know why I didn’t do one before.

Is it o.k to give a baby spices?

Chicken Tikka Masala is creamy, packed full of flavour and perfect as a baby led weaning dinner recipe. The best part is babies love it and while you may not think a curry is a good recipe for a 6 month old baby, I promise it is amazing! Curry is a great way to introduce aromatic spices, not spicy hot ones, but spices like cumin, coriander and turmeric.

As parents we think babies need to start eating boiled chicken pureed with avocado or vegetables but in Asian countries all over the world, spice is introduced right from an early age.

Do spices pass through breastmilk?

If you are a breastfeeding Momma, and you also love curry, then your baby has already has tastes of spices, because it does it fact pass through breastmilk. It’s the same way if you eat lots of beans, your baby might be gassy 🙂 We’ve all been there.

If I was to have one tagline in life, I actually think it would be ‘Aileen Cox Blundell – She loves curry’ (or something in that vain). In all seriousness though (and I take curry very, very seriously) it is my favourite meal in the world. When we go camping, I bring curry to reheat. When I bring a dish for dinner, it will always be a curry and when my friends come over for diner… yes you’ve guessed it, your getting curry. My husband and I loved curry so much that when we got hitched we backpacked through the west coast of India, just for the food alone!

Chicken Tikka Masala – how do you give meat to a baby?

You have 2 options when cooking, in a large saucepan which is what I usually do, or alternatively you can use a slow-cooker and make a crock pot curry recipe instead.

• Crock Pot/Slow Cookier the chicken completely falls apart making it super delicious and safe for babies. If you cook slow, the meat will be tender and that is what you are looking for.
• Saucepan add the chicken to the sauce after blending, then cover with a lid and simmer for about 40 minutes on a low heat. Back fork the chicken for babies, and cut into fine strips for older babies with teeth.

Vegan Tikka Masala – how do you give chickpeas to a baby?

If you would like to make this a vegan tikka masala simply swap the chicken for chickpeas. You can also use coconut yogurt instead of natural.  You then only need to make sure the peppers are soft enough for your baby which only takes about 15-20 minutes. To serve chickpeas, just squash them until they are slightly flattened making them super safe!

How to serve this dish to a baby.

When Oscar was 6 months I didn’t use a plate and put the curry onto his high chair tray. Roll the saucy chicken in rice turns it in to a really easy food for babies to eat. You can also preload a spoon, or if you are like me, just let your little one make the mess. Enjoy the spices and all that curry flavour.

Yes, curry is messy, but it is also so delicious for your baby. She be well on the road to becoming an adventurous eater. If on the other hand you simply can’t handle the thought of curry in their hair turn it into pies! Whip up some shortcrust pasty, spoon in a little curry with chicken. Finally, top with a circle of pastry and bake for 25 minutes. Voila, healthy, less messy, curry 🙂

This curry is AMAZING with my 2 ingredient Naan Breads! So quick I made an entire batch while the rice was cooking 🙂

Happy Friday and Yipppeeee it’s the weekend.

Aileen & Oscar xoxoxox