Chicken, Rice, and Vegetable Skillet

olive oil

large sweet Vidalia onion, diced small

to 4 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed

medium red bell pepper, diced small

to 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces

cooked rice (to save time use two 8.5-ounce packets precooked rice; I used Jasmine Ready Rice)

to 3 cups broccoli florets

water

paprika

cardamom

to 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste

freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

to 2 cups shredded cheese, optional

to 3 green onions, sliced into thin rounds