One-Pan Pineapple Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken and juicy pineapple meld with rice in a tropical, fuss-free baked dinner.

# 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, 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 variety recommended
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

# Method:

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 reaches an 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 pan, which means fewer dishes to wash and more time enjoying dinner.
  • The pineapple keeps the chicken incredibly moist while adding a hint of sweetness that makes it feel like comfort food with an exotic twist.
  • It's flexible enough to adapt to what you have on hand, yet structured enough that even beginners feel confident.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing step for rice—it genuinely changes whether your final dish is fluffy or gluey, and you'll feel the difference on your tongue.
  • If your chicken thighs are particularly thick, check the internal temperature before you remove the foil; better to bake covered a few minutes longer than to end up with overcooked rice waiting for chicken.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for people with different spice tolerances, hold back on the chili flakes and let people add their own heat at the table instead of to the pan.
  • Marinating the chicken in a mix of soy sauce and pineapple juice for 30 minutes before baking deepens the flavor and makes it feel like you put in more effort than you actually did.
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