nonstick cooking spray
2 cups water
8 ounces boneless, skinless, chicken thigh meat, trimmed of fat and cut into bite-size pieces
1 ½ cups diced onion
1 cup uncooked brown rice, preferably parboiled variety
4 medium garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons sodium-free chicken bouillon granules
½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 cups fresh asparagus tips, broken in 2-inch pieces, or frozen French cut green beans, thawed
½ teaspoon salt
2 ounces (½ cup) reduced-fat sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded