Creamy Chicken, Broccoli and Wild Blend Rice

A Kaleidoscope of Autumn Colors  

                                 Creamy Chicken, Broccoli and Wild Blend Rice

Cook's Notes: Whether you're from the Midwest and grew up eating "hot dish" or never heard the word before this comfort food hits the spot on a cool autumn evening. A company worthy dish made with a rotisserie chicken for easier prep mixed in a creamy cheesy white sauce with a savory wild rice blend. No cans of any kind were used in this recipe. Rice can be prepared ahead or even the day before as well as the cracker topping.
Recipe is an Ever Ready Special and serves 4-6
Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked chicken or turkey
• 2 cups dry Wild Rice Blend (I used Lundberg Wild Blend Rice) cooked in 4 cups chicken broth

• 4 slices of bacon, cooked and diced 
• 1 cup diced mini sweet peppers red, yellow and orange
• ¾ cup sweet onions, diced
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup Swiss cheese or white cheddar , grated
• 1-1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 teaspoon each herbes de Provence and parsley flakes
• 2 cups broccoli florets

Topping

• 2 cups coarsely ground butter crackers. e.g. Ritz
• 2 tablespoons melted butter 
• ½ teaspoon herbes de Provenece

Directions:

• In a zip loc bag mix crackers with butter and herbs. Use a rolling pin to crumble, set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 2-1/2 qt. baking dish.
• Cook bacon and set aside. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon drippings. Saute onions and peppers in it.  Add in garlic and cook until fragrant. Clean pan of bacon grease.
• Melt butter in same pan with sauteed mixture and whisk in flour. Stir until smooth. Whisk in broth, Swiss or cheddar cheese, 1 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add in wine and cook until thickened. Fold in broccoli florets, cooked chicken and rice, mix well. 
• Place chicken rice mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle on remaining Parmesan cheese. Add cracker topping and bake 20 minutes uncovered until bubbly.