One-Pan Pineapple Chicken Bake (Printable Copy)

Tender chicken and juicy pineapple baked with fragrant rice for a simple, vibrant family meal.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (approximately 1.3 lbs)

→ Rice & Grains

02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Vegetables & Fruit

03 - 1 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned and drained
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

07 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce, gluten-free if needed
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon chili flakes, optional

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
15 - Lime wedges for serving

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F
02 - In a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more
03 - Stir in the rice, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chili flakes if using. Sauté for 1 minute
04 - Add pineapple chunks and evenly spread the mixture in the pan
05 - Pour in chicken broth and soy sauce; stir to combine
06 - Nestle chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture. Sprinkle with a pinch more salt and pepper
07 - Cover tightly with foil or a lid and bake for 30 minutes
08 - Remove the cover and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F and rice is tender
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One pan means one cleanup, which on tired weeknights feels like winning the lottery.
  • The pineapple caramelizes just enough to balance the salty soy, creating something that tastes way more interesting than the sum of its parts.
02 -
  • If you lift that foil too early to peek, youll let all the steam escape and your rice wont cook properly—I learned this by serving mushy rice to disappointed faces.
  • Drained pineapple is crucial; the juice will waterlog everything if you dont take the time to drain it properly in a colander.
03 -
  • If youre in a hurry, marinate the chicken even for just 15 minutes in soy sauce and pineapple juice—it deepens the flavor without slowing down your dinner timeline.
  • The rice should be rinsed before cooking so it stays fluffy and individual rather than turning into a starch bomb, and honestly, this one extra step changes everything.
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