Pineapple Chicken Rice Cheese (Print out)

Tender chicken, juicy pineapple, fluffy rice, and melted cheese baked to a golden finish for a tasty meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

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

→ Vegetables & Fruit

02 - 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained if canned)
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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned, but not fully cooked.
03 - Add chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are softened.
04 - Transfer sautéed chicken and vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add uncooked rice, pineapple chunks, chicken broth, and sour cream. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
05 - Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
06 - Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove foil from casserole. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return to oven uncovered and bake for 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and rice is tender.
08 - Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in one dish, which means fewer things to wash and more time actually enjoying dinner.
  • The pineapple keeps the chicken moist while the cheese creates this golden, crispy top that's almost impossible to resist.
  • It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd without stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining canned pineapple completely—that syrup will oversaturate the rice and leave you with mush instead of fluffy grains.
  • The chicken doesn't need to be fully cooked before mixing because it continues cooking in the oven, so brief browning at 4 to 5 minutes is actually perfect timing.
  • Covering with foil for the first half is non-negotiable; it's what allows the rice to steam and cook through without the top drying out.
03 -
  • Sharp cheddar instead of mild transforms the dish from pleasant to genuinely memorable—the complexity speaks louder than the sweetness.
  • Use fresh minced garlic rather than jarred; it distributes more evenly and tastes fresher throughout the finished casserole.
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