Broccoli and cheese..what could be better?

Ok..time for a side dish!

Tonight we are having baked chicken breast (caught them on sale, bone in for 98cents a lb!). Came in large packages of course, and we broke them down to 4 pieces per package, got a good many packages too! Soo here ya go, to go with your favorite baked chicken recipe......
When you get your chicken in the oven, start this recipe

Broccoli and Cheese Casserole! (use the oven for double duty!)
1 Cup uncooked regular or long grain rice (NOT INSTANT!)
2 C. salted water.
6 slices of bacon cut into small pieces
1 medium to large onion (chopped)

1 package (10 oz) frozen broccoli (thawed and drained)
1 can cream of soup (your choice, chicken, mushroom, celery)
1 C. Milk
1 C. shredded cheese, mild cheddar. (or you can use a mix of cheddar and soft cheese like Velveeta.
SPICES:
Tad of garlic powder
Salt & Pepper

Ready? Let's cook!
Cook the rice in the water till done (bring water to boil, add rice, stir till it comes back to a boil, turn heat down to very low, place lid on top and let sit, stirring occasionally for 20 mins)

Fry up the bacon till brown and done (remove from pan) now add the onion. Saute' till clear and nearly soft. Drain.
In a large casserole dish combine the cooked rice, bacon, onions, broccoli, soup and milk and 3/4's of the cheese. (Reserve some for the top) Add the spices. Stir well. (taste for spice content) Bake 30 mins at 350.
Take casserole out of oven and top with remaining cheese. Let sit till melted. Serve!

** A few hints that I do.
I use a mix of mild cheddar and Velveeta cheese.
Need a dish for a large gathering..just double this one! Make sure you have a large casserole dish.

Fancy this up by adding spiced or plain bread crumbs to the top. Add the topping cheese and the bread crumbs, put it back in the oven on broil for about 3 mins till cheese melts and crumbs start to get browned.

For our baked chicken, we do it simple.
I LOVE Cajun spice, so I sprinkle the chicken with Cajun spice, put it in a cast iron skillet COVERED and pop it in the oven, 350, 30 mins. Then I take the cover off and cook for another 20 mins. :) YUM!
Makes for good timing on the broccoli cheese casserole!

Happy Cooking!