Chicken Veggie Orzo for Toddlers

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (for sautéing)
• 0.25 cup onion (finely diced)
• 1 garlic (clove, minced)
• 0.5 lb chicken breast (cut into small, bite-sized cubes)
• 0.5 cup zucchini (diced into small pieces)
• 0.5 cup carrot (peeled and finely diced)
• 0.5 cup orzo pasta (dry)
• 1.25 cup chicken broth (low sodium or homemade; use enough to cover pasta)
• 0.5 cup fresh spinach (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp parmesan cheese (grated)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare all ingredients by dicing the chicken, onion, zucchini, and carrots into very small, uniform pieces suitable for a toddler to chew safely.

2. 2

   In a medium skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until bubbling slightly.

3. 3

   Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

4. 4

   Add the cubed chicken breast to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides and no longer pink on the exterior.

5. 5

   Stir in the diced carrots and zucchini. Sauté the vegetables with the chicken for 2-3 minutes to allow them to soften slightly.

6. 6

   Add the dry orzo pasta to the pan and stir for 1 minute to lightly toast the grains and coat them in the butter.

7. 7

   Pour in the chicken broth. Ensure there is enough liquid to fully submerge the orzo. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

8. 8

   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom. Cook until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

9. 9

   Remove the lid and stir in the finely chopped spinach. The residual heat will wilt the spinach within about 30-60 seconds.

10. 10

    Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the mixture and stir well to combine until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.

11. 11

    Allow the dish to cool significantly before serving to a toddler. Ensure the chicken pieces are tender and the vegetables are soft.

Notes

If the orzo absorbs all the liquid before it is fully cooked, add a splash more broth or water. For younger babies, you can finely mince the chicken even further or pulse the finished meal in a food processor for a chunkier puree texture.

Nutrition per serving

• toddler meal
• baby-led weaning
• one-pot
• chicken
• orzo
• healthy
• lunch
• dinner