Cheesy Chicken and Rice with Broccoli

Ingredients

2 C cooked chicken, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 C steamed broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 C mushrooms, sauteed (optional)
2 T butter
2 T white rice flour (superfine)
1 1/2 C heavy cream
1 1/2 C chicken broth
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground dry mustard
freshly ground black pepper
2 T onion flakes
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 C grated sharp white cheddar cheese
1 C grated medium cheddar
1/2 C grated monterey jack
1/2 C grated Jarlsberg or swiss
1/2 C grated Parmesan
5 - 6 C cooked brown or white rice

NOTE: use whatever cheese you have or like....I just like this particular combo.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly oil a large casserole dish.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. When the butter bubbles, add the rice flour. Cook, stirring (best to use a wire whisk), for about 1 minute. While whisking, slowly pour in the cream a little at a time to keep mixture smooth, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick. Continue cooking, and add the chicken broth a little at time while whisking constantly, until the mixture has the thickness and consistency of paint. You don't want it to be too thick, because it will thicken when you add the cheese. Add more or less chicken broth until you achieve the right consistency.

Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, dry mustard, black pepper, garlic powder, onion flakes, all of the Parmesan and MOST of the other cheeses (reserve a little of the grated cheddars and Jarlsberg to sprinkle on top); set the cheese sauce aside.

Put the cooked rice into a large bowl; add the chicken, broccoli, mushrooms and cheese sauce to the rice; mix well but gently.

Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheddar cheese over the top. Bake until top is starting to turn golden brown in spots, about 20 - 25 minutes.