Pineapple Chicken Rice Cheese (Print version)

Tender chicken with pineapple, rice, and melted cheese baked to a golden finish.

# 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 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 butter or cooking spray.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until lightly browned.
03 - Add chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 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 and spread evenly.
06 - Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove foil and 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 fresh parsley if desired and serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can go from standing in front of the open fridge to dinner on the table without any drama.
  • The sweetness from the pineapple plays beautifully against the savory chicken and cheese, creating this harmony that somehow works even though it shouldn't.
  • Everything cooks in one dish, leaving you with minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction.
02 -
  • Don't drain canned pineapple and then add it without thinking about the extra moisture, because too much liquid will turn your rice mushy instead of fluffy.
  • The rice is uncooked when it goes in, so make sure you're using the exact amount of broth called for or you'll end up with either crunchy or soupy results.
03 -
  • Use block cheese that you shred yourself instead of pre-shredded, because the anti-caking agents in bagged cheese prevent it from melting as smoothly into a bubbly, golden layer.
  • If your oven runs hot, check the casserole around the 35-minute mark to make sure the rice is cooking at the right pace and adjust timing if needed.
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