Cheesy Chicken and Rice Hotdish

I found another great hotdish recipe to add to my collection! This one was so yummy and cheesy and a hit with everyone that ate it that night... The list included my brother and his kids! :) This would be a great dish to make up early so that you would be able to throw it right in the oven at supper time - I didn't realize the amount of prep work that went into it, so I was running a little behind this night!


Cheesy Chicken and Rice Hotdish
(recipe found at www.becomingbetty.blogspot.com)

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
3 cups white rice, cooked
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

Cheese sauce:
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Heat oil in a skillet on stove. Saute onion, celery and carrots for about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in chicken, rice, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Reduce heat to low. Prepare cheese sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, salt, pepper and chicken broth. Whisk continuously until thick and nearly bubbling. Stir in cheese until melted. Put rice mixture in a casserole dish and pour cheese sauce over it. Stir to combine. You can sprinkle some more cheese on top. Bake for 30 minutes on 350.

I used a 9x13 pan for this recipe and it fit perfectly! And you KNOW that I used the extra cheese on top like was suggested! :)