Pineapple Chicken Rice Bake (Printable)

Tender chicken, juicy pineapple, and fluffy rice come together under a glossy teriyaki glaze in this flavorful bake.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (about 1.3 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Rice

02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Vegetables & Fruit

03 - 1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into 1-inch pieces
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish

→ Teriyaki Glaze

07 - 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
08 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
09 - 2 tablespoons honey
10 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
12 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
14 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

→ Liquids

15 - 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Optional Garnish

16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Spread rinsed rice evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with chopped onion, bell pepper, and pineapple.
04 - Arrange chicken pieces over the rice and vegetables. Pour chicken broth evenly over the dish. Drizzle half of the teriyaki glaze over the chicken and rice.
05 - Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
06 - Remove foil, drizzle remaining teriyaki glaze over the dish, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
07 - Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a complete meal in one dish, so cleanup is practically non-existent.
  • The teriyaki glaze creates this glossy, addictive coating that tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • Pineapple and chicken together feel fancy enough for guests but easy enough for a regular Wednesday.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice; it's the difference between fluffy grains and a starchy, gluey texture.
  • When you remove the foil, lean back from the oven—the steam that erupts is hot and intense.
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces so everything cooks at the same rate—no overcooked edges or undercooked centers.
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes before sprinkling them on; it awakens their nutty flavor in a way raw seeds can't match.
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