There is just something about the combination of sweet and salty tastes together that makes any dish containing them an addiction for your taste buds. That is why the bacon, although only used as a garnish, is such an important part of this recipe. It balances out the sweetness of the pineapple and makes your taste buds do tiny hula dances of delight!
There is also a good amount of textural interest in this dish. You have the fibrous tidbits of the pineapple, the crunch of onions and green peppers, the fluffiness of the rice and the firm, yet yielding texture of the chicken. When you add the bacon, you are adding a crispy element. This dish is one your family will ask for on a regular basis.
INGREDIENTS
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup lite soy sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth
1 ½ cups uncooked instant white rice
1 cup diced onion (frozen diced onion eliminates prep work)
1 red bell pepper, chopped (you can also find this frozen)
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: sliced green onions, diced cooked bacon
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and chicken broth. Add uncooked rice, onion, bell pepper, pineapple (with its juice), and raw chicken.
Place the mixture in the prepared baking dish. Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and give it all a stir.
Sprinkle with cooked, chopped bacon (if desired).
Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped green onions.
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Quick Tip: To make cutting the chicken into thin slices or bite-sized pieces easier, cut it while it is partially frozen. If your chicken is thawing, cut it before it completely thaws. If your chicken is fresh, put it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before attempting to dice or slice it.
Big thanks to Blair at theseasonedmom.com for this tasty recipe!
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