Tender Chicken and Vegetable Puree Stew
A smooth, comforting stew with perfectly cooked chicken and vegetables, ideal for easy chewing and swallowing. This american-inspired kid friendly ready in about 35 minutes pairs Chicken breast, Carrots, Zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Chicken breast
- 1 cup Carrots
- 1 cup Zucchini
- 1/2 cup Onion
- 2 cups Chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 tsp Thyme
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz diced chicken breast, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 cup diced zucchini, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir to coat all ingredients.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until chicken is tender and vegetables are very soft.
- Step 4: Use an immersion blender to puree the stew until completely smooth, adding a splash of broth if too thick.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tender Chicken and Vegetable Puree Stew take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Tender Chicken and Vegetable Puree Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tender Chicken and Vegetable Puree Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Tender Chicken and Vegetable Puree Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Tender Chicken and Vegetable Puree Stew?
American kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This became a weekly staple! The vegetable puree is silky and my son loves the mild flavor. Even my husband, who hates 'baby food', asked for seconds.
- ★★★★★
My toddler ate the whole bowl! The puree is so smooth and the chicken melted off the bone. Perfect for picky eaters, and I made it in 30 minutes.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the tender chicken, but the carrots took way longer to soften than the recipe said. Added extra broth and it was still delicious for my 2-year-old.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.