Mom'S Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

10 ounces frozen chopped broccoli, microwaved about 6 minutes to thaw
2 cups cooked rice
2 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
2 (10 1/2 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
1 (5 ounce) can Carnation Evaporated Milk
1 onion, diced
1/2 cup celery, diced
1 (5 ounce) can premium chunk chicken (I sometimes use 2 or the large can when I'm treating this as a one-dish meal)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter

Preparation

Saute onions and celery in butter until soft. Add chicken, salt, and pepper. Saute a minute or so to marry flavors.
In a large bowl, combine soups, milk, rice, broccoli, onion/chicken mixture. Fold in 2 cups cheese.
Pour into a greased 2 quart casserole dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese (I sometimes use more -- it's terrible, I know! ;).
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes uncovered.