Very Thick & Cheesy Chicken, Bacon & Rice Soup

I have been trying new recipes lately.

Here is one I made to warm my family up on a cold winter night.

It was yummy!!

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Very Thick & Cheesy Chicken, Bacon & Rice Soup
3 Tbsp. Extra Virgin olive oil
1 Medium onion, finely chopped
3 Stalks of celery, finely chopped
3 Large carrots, finely chopped
1 1/2 cups Zucchini, diced
2 Tbsp. fresh minced garlic
2 cups cooked & shredded rotisserie chicken~I just used canned chicken
2 cups steamed white rice
4 Tbsp. butter
1/4 C. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper
3 1/2 C. chicken broth
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1 C. cooked & crumbled bacon

Heat oil into a soup pot over medium heat. Saute onions, celery,
carrots & zucchini for 10 min. or until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 min.
then add chicken & rice. Reduce heat to low.

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk in flour,
salt & pepper. Slowly whisk in chicken broth until thick and creamy, nearly to a boil.
Stir in cheddar cheese until melted, then pour mixture into chicken & vegetables.
Add bacon, stir then season according to taste. Simmer on low until ready to serve.
Makes 8 servings.

Enjoy!