Pineapple Chicken Rice Cheese (Printable Version)

Tender chicken, pineapple chunks, and fluffy rice baked with melted cheddar cheese and savory spices.

# 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

# How To Make It:

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 the surface.
03 - Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 2–3 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 thoroughly until evenly combined.
05 - Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading level across the bottom.
06 - Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove foil from the casserole. Distribute shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Return to oven uncovered and bake for 10 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles, and rice becomes tender.
08 - Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table without the stress.
  • The combination of sweet pineapple and salty cheese is genuinely addictive once you realize how well they play together.
  • 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 flexible enough to adapt to whatever you have on hand.
02 -
  • If your canned pineapple is packed in heavy syrup, drain it thoroughly and even pat it dry with paper towels to prevent the casserole from becoming too wet.
  • Don't skip the initial sear on the chicken—those browned bits add savory depth that elevates the whole dish beyond tasting like a random combination of ingredients.
  • The 5-minute rest at the end isn't just tradition; it lets the rice finish absorbing any remaining liquid and makes serving cleaner.
03 -
  • Make this the morning of and refrigerate it unbaked, then add an extra 15 minutes to the covered bake time straight from cold.
  • If your cheese isn't melting evenly during the final bake, run it briefly under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, but watch closely so it doesn't burn.
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