Aloha Pineapple Chicken Rice Casserole Recipe
This Aloha Pineapple Chicken Rice Casserole is a deliciously sweet and savory baked dish combining tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and flavorful brown rice all cooked together in one dish. Perfect for a hassle-free weeknight dinner, it features a tangy brown sugar and soy sauce glaze infused with garlic, making each bite a tropical delight.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Base
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1–2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups uncooked instant white rice
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple tidbits in juice, NOT drained
- 1 lb. thin-sliced boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins, diced into bite-sized pieces
Optional Garnish
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced cooked bacon
Instructions
- Prepare oven and dish: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Spray an 11 x 7-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make sauce mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, low sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, and chicken broth until well combined.
- Combine ingredients: Add the uncooked instant white rice, diced red onion, chopped red bell pepper, pineapple with its juice, and diced chicken pieces to the sauce mixture. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Bake covered: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 50 minutes to allow the rice to cook and chicken to begin cooking through.
- Stir and continue baking: Remove the foil, stir the casserole to mix the ingredients well, then return it uncovered to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender.
- Rest and serve: Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped cilantro and diced cooked bacon if desired.
Notes
- Use instant white rice for best results; regular rice will require longer cooking time.
- Adjust garlic quantity based on your taste preference.
- Be sure not to drain the pineapple juice as it adds moisture and flavor to the casserole.
- Optional bacon garnish adds a smoky flavor but can be omitted for a lighter version.
- Covering the dish during the first part of baking helps the rice absorb liquid evenly.
- Allowing the dish to rest after baking improves the texture and taste.
Keywords: pineapple chicken casserole, baked chicken rice dish, Hawaiian chicken recipe, easy dinner casserole, sweet and savory chicken recipe
