Tiny Chicken Noodle Soup Stars
A comforting and mild chicken noodle soup with tiny pasta shapes and soft veggies, perfect for little ones learning to eat solids and liquids.
Ingredients
- 1 small chicken breast or 2 chicken tenders (about 4 oz), cut into very small, bite-sized pieces
- 1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup small pasta (like acini di pepe, orzo, stars, or broken spaghetti)
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or homemade unsalted broth)
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- A sprig of fresh parsley or a pinch of dried parsley (optional)
Instructions
Gather all ingredients and chop the chicken, carrot, and celery into very small, manageable pieces for your toddler.
Heat olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat.
Add the diced chicken to the pot. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside (about 3-5 minutes).
Add the diced carrot and celery (if using) to the pot with the chicken. Sauté for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften slightly.
Pour the low-sodium chicken broth into the pot.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, add the small pasta to the pot. Stir well to prevent sticking.
Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook according to the pasta package directions (usually about 8-10 minutes), or until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Check the chicken and carrots to ensure they are cooked through and soft. The chicken should be easily shredded with a fork, and the carrots should be easily pierced.
If using fresh parsley, add the sprig to the soup during the last few minutes of cooking for flavor. Remove the sprig before serving.
If using dried parsley, add it to the soup during the last few minutes of cooking.
Carefully remove the pot from the heat and let the soup cool down considerably. Soup can be very hot and dangerous for young children.
Before serving, you can mash some of the carrot or lightly shred the chicken pieces with a fork to make the textures even smaller and easier to manage for your toddler.
Serve the soup warm, not hot. You can serve it in a bowl, helping your toddler with the broth using a spoon, while they practice picking out bits of noodle and carrot. Alternatively, serve the solids on a plate with a little broth to keep them moist, which can be easier for self-feeding.
Safety Notes
- Adult supervision required for all steps, especially when using the stove and handling hot liquids.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Cool the soup down completely before serving to prevent burns.
- Cut all ingredients into small, manageable pieces to prevent choking.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 150 kcal per serving
Protein: 15g
Carbs: 15g
Fat: 4g