Chicken thighs for Babies
Complete guide on how to prepare and serve chicken thighs to your baby, by age.
Find recipes with Chicken thighs in Dalo SolidsLast reviewed: May 2026
Safety Information
How to Serve Chicken thighs to a 6–9 Months Old
How to Cut
For babies 6-9 months, ensure the chicken thighs are cooked until very tender. Remove the skin and all bones thoroughly. Serve the chicken as large, soft strips (about the size of two adult fingers), which allows your baby to grasp and gnaw safely. Alternatively, shred the thigh meat or mash it with a bit of broth or water. Avoid offering bite-sized pieces or hard, chewy bits at this age due to choking risk. The meat should be moist and easy to gum, not dry or stringy.
Serving Instructions
For babies aged 6-9 months, offer about 20-30g (¾–1 oz) of cooked, soft chicken thigh as part of a balanced meal. Pair with iron-rich foods like lentils or beans, and vitamin C sources such as broccoli or strawberries to enhance iron absorption. Focus on variety—alternate protein sources throughout the week. Serve the chicken soft and moist for easy eating. Breastmilk or formula remains the main source of nutrition at this age.
Milestones at this age
See what development milestones to expect at 6–9 Months — cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional.
How to Serve Chicken thighs to a 9–18 Months Old
How to Cut
For 9-18 months, continue to cook chicken thighs until very tender and remove any remaining skin or bones. You can now offer the meat as thin, small strips (about 1 cm or ½ inch wide), or as shredded pieces that your child can pick up using fingers. If your child isn’t chewing well, continue mashing or finely dicing the meat. Always monitor for stringy or tough pieces which may pose choking risks. Moisture helps—mix with a sauce, broth, or cooked veggies for easier handling.
Serving Instructions
Between 9 and 18 months, serve 30-40g (1–1.5 oz) of cooked chicken thigh as part of a meal. Encourage self-feeding by allowing your child to pick up strips or shredded pieces. Continue to combine with plant-based iron and vitamin C foods, such as sweet potatoes or peas. Chicken should be moist and cut to appropriate size for safety. Include a wide variety of vegetables, grains, and healthy fats for balanced meals.
Milestones at this age
See what development milestones to expect at 9–12 Months — cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional.
How to Serve Chicken thighs to a 18+ Months Old
How to Cut
At 18 months and up, you can offer chicken thigh meat in small bite-sized pieces (about 1 cm or ½ inch cubes) or continue with strips or shredded meat, according to your child’s chewing skills. Always ensure the meat is cooked until soft and moist, and keep checking for any small bone fragments or tough, stringy parts. At this age, meals can include the chicken alongside other soft foods, helping your child gain confidence with self-feeding. Avoid offering very dry or hard pieces, and always supervise during meals.
Serving Instructions
For children 18 months and older, 40-60g (1.5–2 oz) of cooked chicken thigh per meal is suitable. Serve alongside a diverse plate with whole grains, various vegetables, and healthy fats such as avocado or olive oil. Allow your child to practice with utensils or fingers, supporting self-feeding and independence. Continue to monitor for bone fragments or tough pieces. Keep the texture soft and moist for easy chewing.
Milestones at this age
See what development milestones to expect at 18–24 Months — cognitive, motor, language, and social-emotional.
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When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Every child is different, and your pediatrician knows your baby best. If your baby has known allergies, was born prematurely, or has any feeding difficulties, consult your doctor before introducing new foods. If you ever observe signs of an allergic reaction — such as hives, swelling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency medical care immediately.
Important Safety Disclaimer
Every child develops chewing and swallowing skills at their own pace. The preparation methods shown are general guidelines; you must always evaluate your individual child's ability before serving. By offering this food, you agree to the following:
- Choking & Preparation: All foods can pose a choking hazard. You are strictly responsible for modifying food sizes and textures to match your child's skills. Always physically inspect this food for hidden hazards (e.g., bones, pits, seeds, splinters, or tough skins) before serving.
- Food Handling: Ensure all ingredients are properly washed, stored, and cooked to safe internal temperatures to prevent foodborne illness. Never serve raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs to an infant.
- Allergens: Introduce any new food one at a time. Observe your child closely for signs of an allergic reaction (hives, swelling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing) and seek emergency medical care immediately if symptoms occur.
- Strict Supervision: 100% active, arm's-length adult supervision is required at all times while your child is eating or interacting with food.
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Age and preparation guidance informed by the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the World Health Organization's complementary feeding guidelines, ESPGHAN's (European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) position paper on complementary feeding, and EFSA's (European Food Safety Authority) scientific opinion on the introduction of complementary feeding. This content is independently created by Dalo Baby for informational purposes only and does not imply endorsement by or affiliation with any of these organizations.
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