Description
A vibrant, tropical-inspired one-pan meal. Savory soy sauce and garlic blend with sweet brown sugar and juicy pineapple tidbits to create a perfectly glazed chicken and rice experience. Effortless to prepare and incredibly satisfying for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 lb thin-sliced chicken breasts (diced)
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple tidbits in juice (do not drain)
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1/2 cup red onion (diced), 1–2 tsp minced garlic
- Garnish: Fresh cilantro
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray an 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
Mix: Whisk brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and broth in a large bowl. Stir in instant rice, onion, bell pepper, the entire can of pineapple (with juice), and diced chicken.
Bake: Pour mixture into the dish. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 50 mins.
Finish: Remove foil, stir, and bake uncovered for 10 more mins to thicken the sauce into a glaze. Rest for 5 mins before serving. Garnish with cilantro.
Notes
Instant Rice is Vital: This recipe is formulated specifically for instant (minute) rice. Regular long-grain rice will remain crunchy as it requires a different liquid ratio and cook time.
The Foil Seal: A tight foil seal is mandatory. The trapped steam is what hydrates the rice; a loose seal will result in undercooked grains.
Liquid Balance: If you accidentally drain the pineapple juice, you must replace that 1/2 cup of volume with extra broth to ensure the rice softens properly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Casserole
- Method: One-Pan Baking
- Cuisine: Tropical / Hawaiian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 920
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 62
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 26
- Cholesterol: 65
Keywords: aloha pineapple chicken, pineapple chicken rice casserole, one pan tropical dinner, huli huli chicken rice, instant rice casserole recipes