Caving to cravings.

I had a hankering last night for something very specific: chicken, broccoli, cheese and rice.  I used my trusty Whole Foods recipe-finding app and typed in those ingredients but nothing came up.  So I removed the cheese ingredient and, lo and behold, a recipe was found.  But it didn't sound all that appealing.  And the reviews of it weren't all that stellar, either.  My craving wasn't going away so I modified it.  And then I typed it up for your enjoyment.  I'm nice like that. 

Cheesy Chicken & Rice with Broccoli (serves 4... unless you are us, serves 2):

• 1 tbs olive oil
• 2 and 3/4 cups broth (I used low-sodium chicken broth)
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 cups broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup cheese (I used sharp cheddar)
• 1 tbs lemon juice (totally optional)
• Salt & pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add onions and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.  Salt and pepper the chicken pieces and then add to pot, searing about 3 minutes per side.  Add garlic and cook 1 minute.  Add rice and stir.  Add broth and bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes without taking off the lid (always so hard for me... I just want to know what is going on in there!).   After 45 minutes,  add broccoli, re-cover and continue to simmer for 5 additional minutes.  Add the cheese and lemon juice, re-cover and remove pot from heat and let it sit for another 5 minutes (your patience will be rewarded).  Fluff with a fork and serve.  Share, if you must.

Such a delicious dish.  And so easy!  I served ours with a spinach salad with sliced carrots and this delicious no-guilt caesar dressing.  We both went back for seconds, hence the reason the main course only served the two of us.  Funny how that works.