One-Pan Pineapple Chicken Bake (Print View)

A tropical-inspired baked dish combining juicy pineapple, tender chicken, and fluffy rice in one pan.

# Components:

→ Meats

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 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
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon chili flakes, optional

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

01 - Heat 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 rice, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chili flakes if using. Sauté for 1 minute.
04 - Add pineapple chunks and evenly spread mixture in the pan.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and soy sauce; stir to combine.
06 - Nestle chicken thighs on top of rice mixture. Sprinkle with pinch of salt and pepper.
07 - Cover tightly with foil or oven-safe lid and bake for 30 minutes.
08 - Remove cover and bake for additional 15 minutes, or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and rice is tender.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one dish, which means minimal cleanup after a long day.
  • The sweet pineapple and savory soy sauce create this unexpected magic that somehow makes even picky eaters ask for seconds.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or you'll end up with a gummy, stodgy mess instead of fluffy individual grains.
  • Chicken thighs are more forgiving than breasts, but you still need that 165°F internal temperature—a meat thermometer takes the guesswork out completely.
03 -
  • Use an oven-safe skillet or baking dish with a tight-fitting lid or good aluminum foil seal—steam is what cooks the rice perfectly.
  • Fresh lime juice squeezed over everything at the table makes each bite taste brighter and more alive than if you squeeze it before serving.
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