Soft and creamy foods are better tolerated in early stages after weight loss surgery. This creamy chicken casserole with butternut squash and apples is perfect for bariatric patients to eat during their soft diet stage.
During the soft food stages, I always recommend ground meat, in particular, chicken and turkey. These proteins are soft and can be used in a variety of recipes. Chicken and turkey are also lean proteins and to lower calorie choice.
Many of my patients are able to tolerate soft vegetables and fruit during this stage. This casserole includes soft butternut squash and cooked apples. These foods do not overshadow the chicken so you will be able to consume sufficient protein.
Sauces and gravies are helpful at during the soft stage and beyond. Dry food is often not tolerated after weight loss surgery. This creamy chicken casserole uses low-fat cream soup and low-fat milk. If you don't tolerate dairy products you could use some broth and a milk alternative (although I did not test the recipe with this).
Tips to make the creamy chicken casserole:
- Ground chicken is very lean so may stick or easy brown in a saute pan. If this happens, turn down the heat or spray with olive oil spray.
- Cream soups can be high in fat and calories. Choose a low-fat option like Campbell's Healthy Request.
- If you have an intolerance to dairy you could use broth or a milk alternative.
- If you don't have frozen butternut squash you can use fresh but will have to cook the butternut squash ahead of time as it will not fully cook in this recipe.
- You can eliminate the breadcrumbs if you wish, however you should be able to tolerate them.
Another soft-food recipe you may enjoy:
A new twist on turkey meatballs with a hint of Thanksgiving flavor.
Lea says
It was very good and perfect for stage 3. I had my sleeve 9 days ago and the portion was perfect.. at first I wasn’t sure if I could eat it all but I chewed my 30x each bite and was able to get the whole piece down within 20 mins and it was well tolerated. My picky husband who isn’t a fan of dishes with fruit (he doesn’t like sweet dishes) liked it as well as my 9 y/o son You’re right, the apples and squash are such a small portion that it doesn’t overtake the protein. I’ll be eating it for the next couple of days as well! After I finish this, your ricotta , egg salad and chicken salad is next on my list. So grateful to not eat only protein shakes and yogurts only. Thanks for your site!
Jennifer Pullman says
So glad everyone enjoyed the recipe.
Char says
I tried this recipe yesterday. I have not had the bariatric surgery but was looking for a high protein meal to try. I did not use the cream of chicken soup, but instead used fat free Greek yogurt & a little chicken broth. Also just had white cheddar cheese squares I placed on top then placed in the oven to melt & crisp up the panko crumbs. Both my husband & I absolutely loved this dish. It’s a keeper.
Jennifer Pullman says
Hi Char! I'm so glad you were able to modify the recipe to your liking!!
Melody says
Is it ok to use whole e milk? My mother is elderly and requires more fat and calories
Jennifer Pullman says
You definitely can use whole milk. If you need to add some extra calories on top of the milk a little bit of sour cream in the sauce will work too.
Stacy says
I am so excited to try this, have you tried it with cubed chicken instead of ground?
Jennifer Pullman says
I don't see why not!
Lisa says
I did make this. It was fabulous! My husband tried it and he liked it as well. My first go round, only I ate it. I do leftover for lunch and dinner. I also through a little into a frying pan and added a little bit of shredded cheddar cheese. Thank here is something about melting the cheese through the frying pan that gives it a different flavor.
Jennifer Pullman says
So glad you both liked the recipes. It's one of my favorites.
Laurie Ryan says
Hi, am thinking of making this recipe for a friend who just had bowel surgery. What kind of apple do you recommend? Sweeter? Less sweet? Thank you!
Jennifer Pullman says
I like sweet apples, so use either pink lady or gala.
Angelica says
My daughter was put on a soft food diet for TMJ issues. She is very picky and this recipe was delicious, she loved the flavor and so did the rest of the family. *I used a granny smith apple.
Jennifer Pullman says
Glad your daughter liked the recipes. It's one of my favorites. I've had TMJ and know how she feels.
Diane says
Super easy and very delicious. Just as I’d got fed up of mashed potato and soups...this was a perfect and tasty dish. Thank you!
Jennifer Pullman says
Glad you enjoyed it, Diane.
Amy says
Do you have a recipe book I’ve just had sleeve on Friday and will be on soft foods in 4 weeks it’s all so new
Erin says
This was very good. I doubled the recipe to feed my family and used chopped chicken. I'm 3 weeks post-op in my clinic's soft foods phase so I chewed everything very well. I added dried sage and omitted the bread crumbs at the recommendation of my clinic. I used apple wood smoked cheddar I just happened to have and it tasted very good with this flavor pallet.
Sherry Norris says
Just wondering; is the serving size in this recipe for WLS servings or normal servings?
Jennifer Pullman says
All recipes are for wls patients, so portions and servings are for patients. The recipe serves 8, which gives you about 2 ounces per serving, which is a good starting point for patients after surgery.
Lisa says
This was FANTASTIC! I had dental surgery plus bone grafting done so I can’t eat anything I have to chew. I’m so sick of applesauce, yogurt, puddings, etc! I am so glad I found your site! I will be making a lot more of your recipes over next few weeks! Thank you!
Constance says
I don’t understand how squash and panko are allowed at this stage. Seems too soon. It’s not allowed on my first at stage 3
Jennifer Pullman says
Every practice has a different take on stages. The practices I have worked with view stage 3 as soft or fork mashable. Since squash can be easily mashed with a fork this vegetable would be fine to eat on stage 3. We have also permitted soft veggies and fruit to be added at this stage. As far as the panko it's not much and superfine so there's no issue with tolerance, however can be easily left off.
Jenn Sandie says
This sounds so yummy! I am waiting for my surgery date, but I am wondering if this could be frozen in single serving sizes. I would rather be able to break up my servings and I most likely wouldn't eat the whole 8 servings before it goes bad
Jennifer Pullman says
You should be able to freeze smaller portions.