Baked Chicken and Rice

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1/4 cup of chopped onion
• 1/4 cup of chopped celery
• 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 2 cups of cooked white rice
• 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic; cook until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with flour, salt, thyme, and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
3. Slowly add chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Place chicken breasts in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour sauce over chicken, then spread cooked rice over the top. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Interesting Facts

• This dish is a great way to use up leftover cooked rice.
• You can substitute cooked brown rice for the white rice, if desired.
• This dish can be easily doubled to feed a larger crowd.