Try This Tasty Chicken and Celery Recipe for the Kids
Simple and flavorful recipes can make all the difference in getting kids excited about healthy eating. This chicken and celery recipe is a fantastic option that not only packs a nutritious punch but also introduces children to the delightful crunch of celery. This crunchy vegetable is often overlooked and rich in vitamins and fiber, making it a great addition to any meal.
This recipe combines tender, juicy chicken with fresh, crisp celery to create a satisfying and easy-to-prepare dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want to serve something wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s fun to involve kids in the cooking process! They’ll enjoy helping, whether washing the vegetables, mixing ingredients, or even assembling their plates.
This chicken and celery recipe can be served as a main dish, a filling for wraps, or even a topping for rice or pasta, making it incredibly versatile. Join me as we dive into this delicious, kid-friendly recipe that nourishes and encourages a love for cooking and healthy eating in the little ones!
Reading the Labels
If you have visited my web page before, you know that I am currently the primary caregiver for our 10-month-old baby daughter, Nell. Like her daddy, this kid has quite an appetite, and from reading the labels on her baby food, I see that she is eating better than I am.
We prepare homemade foods like pureed fruits and vegetables as much as possible to supplement her formula, rice, and barley cereal. However, we also buy those cute little jars of baby food that we’re all familiar with from our childhood days.
Recently, I went to our local supermarket to stock up on little jars and was thrilled to see the vast selection available. Now I may be dating myself, but I don’t remember being served Organically Grown Pasta Primavera or Apple Mango Kiwi.
I don’t even think my parents knew what a kiwi was back then.
I remember some plain old Gerber Turkey and rice, but no Certified Organic Garden Carrots and Brown Rice. Gerber now even has “Table Teaching foods” that are “designed to help older babies learn to eat a variety of foods with more texture and flavor until they are ready for table foods.”
Does this mean they will start out loving asparagus? I’m looking forward to shopping at Dan’s one day for little jars of Chateaubriand for one or maybe a little Pate de Foie Gras with Organic Chanterelle mushrooms.
Hey, why go out for dinner?
So now I’m curious and have decided to see what some current baby cookbooks are offering my precious nine-month-old. Again, I’m surprised!
How about a little Lamb and couscous or Cod Fish with Bell Pepper Rice topped off with Vanilla Custard served in ramekin dishes? This is great.
Here’s a delicious tasting recipe from Cooking For Babies and Toddlers that you might serve your young ones or hey maybe try for dinner yourself.
What Is A Kids Meal?
A kid’s meal is specially designed for children and is typically offered at restaurants, fast-food chains, and other dining establishments. These meals are crafted to cater to children’s tastes, portion sizes, and nutritional needs. Here are some key characteristics of kids meals:
- Smaller Portions: Kids’ meals are served in smaller portions than adult meals, making them more suitable for a child’s appetite.
- Kid-Friendly Foods: The menu options often include foods popular with children, such as chicken nuggets, hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, pizza, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
- Balanced Nutrition: Many establishments aim to provide balanced meals by including fruits, vegetables, and dairy options alongside the main dish. For example, a kid’s meal might include apple slices, carrot sticks, or yogurt.
- Fun Presentation: Kids’ meals are often presented in a fun and appealing way, sometimes featuring colorful packaging or being served in containers shaped like popular characters or themes.
- Toys and Activities: To enhance the dining experience, kids’ meals frequently come with toys, games, or activity sheets. This entertains the children and makes the meal more attractive to them.
- Healthier Options: In response to growing concerns about childhood obesity and nutrition, many restaurants now offer healthier kids’ meal options, such as grilled chicken, whole grain, and low-fat milk.
Kids meals are designed to provide a convenient and enjoyable dining experience for children and their parents, making it easier for families to eat out together.
Chicken and Celery Supper for the Kids
Ingredients
- 6 ounces chicken thighs skinned and boned
- ¼ onion
- 8 ounces carrots
- 3 ounces celery
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste or vegetable
- 1 cup chicken stock homemade is best
Instructions
- Rinse the chicken under cold water, pat dry, trim off any fat and cut into chunks.
- Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the chicken and onion and sauté for a few minutes, stirring until browned.
- Add the carrots, celery, paste and water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes until tender.
- Chop or process the mixture to the desired consistency, If using a food processor, process the solids first and then add the liquid a little at a time.
- Spoon a little into a bowl, test the temperature and cool if necessary, before serving.
- Cover the remaining food and refrigerate as soon as possible. Use within 24 hours. This dish is suitable for freezing.
- This is one dish you won’t mind tasting for temperature.
