To satisfy the dietary needs and tastes of multigeneration family members, nothing beats a rotisserie chicken. Most larger grocers carry them. Choose from a variety of seasoning options – our favorite features cracked pepper and sea salt – and take home a healthy entree that’s pre-cooked, versatile, and inexpensive.
Standard Diet Options
Rotisserie Chicken with Mediterranean Flair – Carve the bird, then serve with a side of pita chips and hummus. Round out the meal with a spinach salad topped with cucumber, tomato, and feta cheese crumbles.
Chicken Wraps – Arrange slices or shreds of rotisserie chicken on a soft tortilla. Add greens, onion, tomato, shredded cheddar, or other toppings as desired. Fold and secure with a toothpick. Serve with slaw and cold beans, or with chips and salsa.
Soft Diet Options
Chicken Salad – Chop chicken into very small pieces, then combine with mayonnaise, salad dressing, or yogurt. Be generous — the mayo or dressing aids in the swallowing of the chicken, for those who suffer from dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Season to meet the needs of family members on a limited diet, possibly with a few sprinkles of dried thyme or cumin. For extra zing add some finely chopped pickle or olive, or simply add some juice from the jar. Serve with pureed or smashed cold beans and finely chopped fresh tomato without skin.
Homemade Chicken Broth – Remove excess chicken from the leftover chicken bones; set the chicken aside for another use. Place the bones in a soup pot; add water to cover. Add chicken bouillon or soup base, a bay leaf, and some chopped onion, carrot, and other extra fresh veggies as desired. Over low to medium heat, allow mixture to bubble but not boil. Let the flavors blend for at least one hour. Cool and strain broth to remove all possible choking hazards. Reheat broth and adjust seasonings before serving.
Child-Friendly Options
Chicken Noodle Soup – Prepare as for Homemade Chicken Broth, above. In a small pot saute chopped onion, carrot, and celery in a small amount of olive oil. (This step adds flavor, increasing the odds that your child might actually eat these veggies!) Add them to the broth, along with the pasta of your choice. Simmer, don’t boil, the mixture until the pasta is done to al dente. Near the end of cooking time add some chopped rotisserie chicken and adjust seasonings as needed. Small amounts of dried thyme or oregano work well.
Serve any of the options listed above, as per your child’s preferences. If your child has no-food-can-touch-any-other-food syndrome, serve accordingly but insist he or she at least sample everything.
Check with your physician or other qualified professional for specific dietary guidelines, especially for seniors, young children, and any family members with health issues.
