Pineapple Chicken Rice Cheese (Printable Version)

Tender chicken, pineapple, rice, and melted cheese baked together for a savory main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

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

# Directions:

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 exterior.
03 - Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until vegetables soften slightly.
04 - Transfer chicken and vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add uncooked rice, pineapple chunks, chicken broth, and sour cream. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
05 - Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
06 - Cover casserole tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove foil and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire surface. Return to oven uncovered.
08 - Bake uncovered for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and rice is tender.
09 - Remove from oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pineapple gives you just enough sweetness to make people smile, while the savory chicken and cheese keep it from feeling like dessert.
  • Everything happens in one dish, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying the meal with people you care about.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and comes together in about an hour, making weeknight dinner feel less like a chore.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining canned pineapple or your rice will turn mushy halfway through baking as all that extra juice releases into the dish.
  • The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked when you brown it because it will finish cooking in the oven, and this keeps it from drying out.
03 -
  • Use sharp cheddar cheese instead of mild for deeper flavor, and don't skip the smoked paprika because it's the spice that makes people ask what makes it taste so interesting.
  • If your oven runs hot, cover the cheese with foil for the last few minutes so it doesn't brown too dark, and always let the casserole rest for those 5 minutes so the rice finishes absorbing liquid and everything holds together.
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