Pineapple Chicken Rice Cheese (Printable Version)

Tender chicken, juicy pineapple, fluffy rice, and melted cheese baked to golden perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), cubed

→ Vegetables & Fruit

02 - 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned and drained
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Rice

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
07 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy

08 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup sour cream

→ Sauces & Seasonings

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly browned on the exterior.
03 - Add chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften.
04 - Transfer sautéed chicken and vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add uncooked rice, pineapple chunks, chicken broth, and sour cream. Stir until well combined.
05 - Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish and spread evenly with a spatula.
06 - Cover casserole tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove foil carefully. Distribute shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the surface. Return to oven uncovered and bake for 10 additional minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and rice is tender.
08 - Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Top with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Pointers:

01 -
  • It tastes like someone fussed over dinner for you, but honestly requires less than an hour from start to table.
  • The sweet and savory balance is addictive in a way that keeps people coming back for seconds without quite being able to name why.
  • Everything happens in one dish, which means your cleanup won't steal the joy of having made something delicious.
02 -
  • Don't fully cook the chicken before baking—partially cooked pieces finish perfectly in the oven and stay tender rather than becoming tough.
  • Drain canned pineapple thoroughly or your casserole becomes watery; that juice is tempting to use, but resist it and save it for a drink instead.
03 -
  • Taste your chicken broth before using it—good broth is already seasoned, and knowing its flavor profile helps you adjust your seasonings accordingly.
  • Let the casserole rest those 5 minutes after baking; it sounds like a tiny thing, but it lets the rice finish absorbing liquid and makes serving cleaner and less soupy.
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