Blended Chicken and Rice Soft-Food Dinner

Start to Finish: 55 minutes

Servings: 4

Blending chicken and rice into a smooth, spoonable dinner can make mealtime easier for children who have difficulty chewing and swallowing. This dinner can be thinned with warm broth for safer eating. Work with a dietitian or speech-language pathologist to determine the right consistency.

An occupational therapist can also help with the physical mechanics of eating with Rett syndrome.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
• ¾ cup uncooked long-grain brown rice
• 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth (use a certified gluten-free brand if needed), divided
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and 1½ cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer according to the package directions (about 45 minutes), until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
2. Meanwhile, in a separate pot, combine the chicken chunks with the remaining 1 cup of broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Drain the chicken, reserving the cooking broth.
4. Transfer the cooked rice, cooked chicken, olive oil, and ½ cup of the reserved broth to a blender or food processor.
5. Blend on high until completely smooth, adding more reserved broth 2 tablespoons at a time until the mixture reaches a smooth consistency.
6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

Nutritional information (per serving): Calories: 375 | Protein: 32 grams | Carbohydrates: 32 grams | Fiber: 1 gram | Fat: 12 grams | Sodium: 220 milligrams

Suitable for: Gluten-free diet (when made with gluten-free broth), Rett syndrome-friendly diet, soft-food diet

References

1. Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing — American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

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