Ingredients

Preparation

3 half chicken breasts
1 Stalk celery, thinly sliced
1 small onion
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp whole white peppercorns
1/8 tsp dried thyme leaves
3 cups water
1 sweet red bell pepper, seeded, slivered
2 tbsp butter or margarine
1 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp long grain white rice
1 cup half-and-half (light cream)
1 egg
1 tbsp lemon juice
Chopped parsley and lemon slices for garnish

1.  In a large saucepan combine chicken breasts, celery, onion, salt, white peppercorns, thyme and water.  Bring to boiling, cover.  Reduce heat, simmer 30 minutes.  Strain, reserving broth.  Discard vegetables, seasoning, bones and skin.  Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and reserve.

2.  In a 3-quart saucepan, cook red pepper in heated butter until tender but not brown, remove and reserve pepper strips.

3.  To butter in pan add flour and rice; stir until bubbly.  Remove from heat.  Gradually stir in reserved broth.  Cook stirring until liquid boils.  Cover and simmer until rice is just tender, about 20 minutes.  Mix in half-and-half.

4.  Beat egg and lemon juice in a small bowl; stir in a little of the hot broth.  Return egg mixture to hot broth.  Mix in red pepper and chicken.  Cook over medium heat, stirring until steaming hot (do not boil).  Salt, if needed.  Garnish with parsley and lemon.