Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

1 (6 oz.) pkg. Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice
3- 14 oz. cans chicken broth
1 small onion, chopped
2-3 carrots, sliced
3-4 celery ribs, sliced
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
2 cups milk or half and half
1-2 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
4-6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Cook rice according to pkg. directions. In a large soup pot cook onions, celery and carrots in chicken broth until tender. In Med. saucepan, melt butter and add flour, stirring until a smooth paste in formed. Slowly add milk stirring constantly until sauce in thickened, Add salt and pepper.

Add white sauce to broth and vegtables, stirring until smooth.
Add chicken and rice, Cook until soup in hot, but not boiling.
Add bacon just before serving