Pineapple Chicken Rice Cheese (Printable)

Tender chicken with pineapple, rice, and melted cheese baked to bubbly perfection.

# 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

# How To:

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 4-5 minutes until lightly browned on all sides.
03 - Add chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
04 - Transfer sautéed chicken and vegetables to a large mixing bowl. Add uncooked rice, pineapple chunks, chicken broth, and sour cream. Mix thoroughly until all components are evenly distributed.
05 - Pour the combined mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly with a spatula.
06 - Cover the casserole tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes until rice begins to soften.
07 - Remove foil from the casserole. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the entire surface. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly and rice is tender.
08 - Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The pineapple adds just enough sweetness to keep things interesting without tasting like dessert.
  • Everything comes together in one dish, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
  • It feeds a crowd easily and tastes even better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't drain canned pineapple directly into the casserole or you'll end up with a swimming rice situation; always squeeze it dry or use fresh.
  • The rice truly needs to be uncooked when you mix everything together, which feels counterintuitive but lets it absorb all the broth and create that creamy texture.
03 -
  • Shred your cheese fresh from a block right before using it; pre shredded varieties have anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
  • If your casserole looks dry during baking, it means you drained pineapple aggressively or used less broth than called for; add a splash more broth before the final baking stage.
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