Baby Jjimdak: Tender and Flavorful Braised Chicken for Little Ones
Homemade Baby Jjimdak: A Healthy and Tender Chicken Dish Made with Vegetable Broth
This is a gently seasoned Jjimdak, perfect for babies and toddlers, boasting a rich umami flavor from chicken and vegetable broths without any added water. It results in incredibly tender and melt-in-your-mouth chicken. This easy-to-prepare dish is a must-try! You’ll be able to easily cook a wonderfully soft and moist Jjimdak that your child will devour.
Main Ingredients- 1 whole chicken for stir-frying (portion for one baby meal)
- 1/2 onion (small)
- 1/4 carrot (small)
- 1 potato (small)
Baby-Friendly Seasoning- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (use baby-specific soy sauce or mild crab soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (optional, adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (adjust to taste)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (use baby-specific soy sauce or mild crab soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (or corn syrup)
- 1 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (optional, adjust sweetness)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the seasoning sauce, which is key to delicious Jjimdak. In a bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of baby-specific soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of mirin, 1 tablespoon of plum extract, and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. When using soy sauce for babies, be sure to use a low-sodium, baby-specific brand or a mild crab soy sauce to preserve the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Step 2
Next, prepare the chicken. Rinse the stir-fry chicken thoroughly under running water. Place the chicken in a pot and add a very small amount of olive oil. Adding a little oil helps prevent the chicken from sticking to the pot and adds a subtle savory note.
Step 3
While the chicken is preparing, chop the vegetables. Dice the onion, carrot, and potato into bite-sized pieces that are easy for babies to eat. If they are too large, they will take longer to cook, so cutting them into manageable pieces is best. Add the chopped vegetables to the pot with the chicken, and pour in all the prepared seasoning sauce. Gently mix everything with your hands to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed for a more flavorful dish.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to cook the Jjimdak. Cover the pot tightly with a lid and place it over high heat. A key feature of this recipe is that no water is added! When cooked with the lid on high heat, the chicken and vegetables will naturally release their delicious juices. Let it simmer over high heat for about 5 minutes, then open the lid and gently flip the chicken and vegetables once. This step helps the seasoning penetrate evenly and enhances the richness of the juices. After flipping, reduce the heat to medium, re-cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 20 more minutes. If it seems dry during cooking, you can add a very small amount of water, but cooking without any added water initially is the secret to maximizing the natural umami flavors.
Step 5
And there you have it – delicious Baby Jjimdak! This dish is made without a single drop of added water, allowing the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables, along with their own juices, to shine. The result is incredibly soft and tender chicken, perfect for babies. Check that it’s cooked through and tender. If the seasoning is too strong for your baby, you can dilute it by adding a little hot water and simmering briefly. Add this healthy and flavorful Jjimdak to your baby’s meal for a satisfying dish. Any leftovers can be cooled and served as baby food. 🧡
