Chicken Liver
Meat
Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
Yes
Common Allergen
No
Warning
Chicken liver has high levels of vitamin A—an essential nutrient that can be toxic when consumed in excess. For this reason, take care to limit the serving size and frequency; 1 to 2 tablespoons of chicken liver once a week is plenty.
When can babies have chicken liver?
Chicken liver, when well-cooked, may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Chicken liver has high levels of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient, but can be toxic when consumed in excess. For this reason, take care to limit the serving size and frequency; 1 to 2 tablespoons of chicken liver once a week is plenty.
Chicken may be one of the world’s most consumed proteins, but the mighty liver is sometimes overlooked—even though chicken liver is one of the most nutritious foods we can eat. Chicken liver, cow liver, fish liver, and the livers of all sentient beings are the nutrient powerhouse of the body. The vital organ purifies toxins and processes vitamins and minerals during digestion, passing some to fuel bodily functions and storing others for energy. People often either love or hate liver for its distinctive taste—an intense minerality that pairs well with sweet fruits and vegetables and flavorful fats like schmaltz, the rendered fat from chicken skin that adds richness to dishes like the traditional Jewish preparation of chopped liver.
How do you serve chicken liver to babies?
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
6 months old +:
Offer pureed cooked chicken liver or chicken liver pâté on its own on a pre-loaded spoon or spread on other age-appropriate foods like toast strips or a teething rusk. Consider limiting baby’s chicken liver intake to a couple of tablespoons once or twice a week, which is enough to meet baby’s vitamin A needs without exceeding them.
9 months old +:
Serve thin slices or bite-sized pieces of cooked chicken liver as finger food as around this age babies develop a pincer grasp, enabling them to pick up smaller pieces of food. You can also continue with blending chicken liver into a pâté to spread on other foods. Explore adding your family’s favorite spices to the pâté. Consider limiting baby’s chicken liver intake to a couple of tablespoons once or twice a week, which is enough to meet baby’s vitamin A needs without exceeding them.
12 months old +:
Offer thin slices or bite-sized pieces of liver on its own as a finger food or continue to offer pâté liver on toast or thin rice cakes. Consider limiting the child’s chicken liver intake to a couple of tablespoons once or twice a week, which is enough to meet the child’s vitamin A needs without exceeding them.
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Is chicken liver a choking hazard for babies?
Yes. Chicken liver can be firm and challenging to chew, which are qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, refrain from cutting liver into chunks or cubes and prepare and serve it in an age-appropriate way as described in the How to Serve section. Also, be sure not to overcook chicken liver as this causes it to be dry and more challenging to chew and move backwards to swallow. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals.
Learn the signs of choking and gagging and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.
Is chicken liver a common allergen?
No. Chicken is not a common food allergen, though cases of poultry allergy have been reported. Chicken can also be a trigger for Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome, (FPIES), which results in delayed vomiting and/or diarrhea 2-4 hours after the ingestion of chicken meat.
While rare, certain individuals with fish allergies may have an increased risk of being sensitive to chicken. Some individuals with known allergy to feather and egg also have positive allergy test results to chicken meat. However, this does not commonly result in symptoms after the ingestion of well-cooked meat, as the allergenic protein is heat sensitive. Therefore, routine testing for chicken meat allergy is not recommended in cases of egg allergy.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity during the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
Is chicken liver healthy for babies?
Yes, in moderation as part of a varied diet. When serving chicken liver to baby, a little goes a long way. Chicken liver has high levels of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient, but can be toxic when consumed in excess. For this reason, take care to limit the serving size and frequency; 1 to 2 tablespoons of chicken liver once a week is plenty.
Chicken liver is rich in fat and protein, in addition to choline, iron, folate, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, B12, and other B vitamins. Together, these nutrients support baby’s energy to play and explore, brain development, growth, strength, red blood cells, hormones, immune function, taste perception, vision, and metabolic processes.
Since research is limited on their safety, avoid liver supplements for babies.
Do I need to start solids with purees?
You can if you’d like, but there's no developmental need to start with textureless food. Babies can be served modified versions of what you eat. Use our First Foods Database to find how to safely serve any food.
What are some great first foods for babies?
There are many wonderful options. Look for foods that are easy for baby to feed to themselves, that are low in choking risk, and that offer nutrients babies need, such as iron. A few of our favorite first foods include cooked broccoli, oatmeal, and mango pits.
Our Team
Written by
Dr. Rachel Ruiz
Pediatrician & pediatric gastroenterologist
Dr. Sakina Bajowala
Pediatrician & pediatric allergist/immunologist
Kim Grenawitzke
Pediatric occupational therapist, feeding & swallowing specialist, international board-certified lactation consultant
Venus Kalami
Pediatric registered dietitian & nutritionist
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