Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken is the weeknight dinner that never fails to light up the table with summer spirit—no matter the season. Sweet, tangy, and loaded with juicy pineapple and colorful peppers, this dish is a breeze to pull together and brings the luau right to your kitchen, all on one easy pan!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- All-in-One Cleanup: Everything for Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken cooks together on a single pan, saving you from a sink full of pots and pans.
- Tropical Flavor Punch: Juicy pineapple, fresh peppers, and a homemade tangy-sweet sauce turn everyday chicken into a vibrant, mouthwatering meal.
- Family-Friendly & Customizable: This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, but it’s also easy to tailor for picky eaters or special diets.
- Speedy from Start to Finish: You’re 35 minutes away from dinner—prep and cook time included!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the beautiful thing: Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken is built on simple, fresh ingredients that each bring their own pop of flavor, color, or texture. Don’t skip or swap—each one plays a delicious role in the final dish!
- Soy Sauce: This brings umami depth and savory richness to the sweet-tangy sauce.
- Ketchup: Adds tang, color, and a kiss of familiar flavor to the marinade.
- Pineapple Juice Concentrate: The key to that bold tropical sweetness—make sure it’s thawed and ready to pour!
- Brown Sugar: For caramelized notes and to balance the acidity of the pineapple.
- Rice Vinegar: A dash gives the sauce its signature bright, punchy personality.
- Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce so it clings luxuriously to every bite.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds complexity and a bit of savory depth behind the scenes.
- Garlic & Fresh Ginger: Dynamic duo for zesty, aromatic flavor in every forkful.
- Black Pepper: Just enough heat to wake up your taste buds.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Tender cubes that soak up all that saucy goodness.
- Green and Red Bell Peppers: Bring crunch, color, and mild sweetness—plus they roast beautifully.
- Red Onion: Roasts until sweet and mellow, adding flavor and gorgeous purple accents.
- Fresh Pineapple Chunks: This is your “island magic” ingredient—go for fresh only for best results!
- Cilantro (optional): Lends bright herbal freshness at the finish.
Variations
This Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken recipe is delightfully flexible, so don’t be afraid to mix things up based on what’s in your fridge or your family’s preferences. You can easily swap ingredients or tweak the sauce to make it uniquely yours!
- Swap the Meat: Try boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness, or use tofu for a vegetarian-friendly feast.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in snap peas, zucchini, or even chunks of carrot for bonus crunch and color.
- Lower Sugar Option: Use less brown sugar and opt for low-sugar ketchup if you want a lighter sauce.
- Spice It Up: Stir in a dash of crushed red pepper or a squirt of sriracha if you love a little heat!
How to Make Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
Step 1: Whisk Together the Sauce
In a medium mixing bowl, grab your whisk and combine the soy sauce, ketchup, pineapple juice concentrate, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Give it a really good mix—this sauce is the star of Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken and you want every bit fully blended!
Step 2: Prep Your Chicken & Veggies
Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes, then chop the bell peppers and red onion into chunky pieces. If you’re prepping pineapple, cube that now too (save it for a later step). Spread the chicken, bell peppers, and red onion evenly onto a lightly greased rimmed baking sheet. This is where the flavor party kicks off!
Step 3: Toss with Sauce and Start Baking
Pour your gorgeous sauce over the chicken and vegetables right on the pan. Toss with tongs or your (clean!) hands until everything is coated. Pop it in your preheated oven (350°F) and bake for 10 minutes to let the flavors start melding and the chicken begin to cook through.
Step 4: Pineapple Perfection
Take the pan out, give everything a gentle toss, and now scatter your fresh pineapple chunks over top. Slide the pan back into the oven for another 7–10 minutes—just until the chicken is cooked through, the veggies are tender, and the pineapple turns golden and juicy.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Once done, remove from the oven and toss everything gently once more—making sure every piece gets that luscious sauce. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top for a fresh, herbal kick. Serve warm and let your taste buds travel straight to the islands!
Pro Tips for Making Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
- Fresh Pineapple Only: Using fresh pineapple makes all the difference—canned or frozen just can’t match the caramelized, juicy flavor you want here.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Spread the chicken and vegetables in a single layer to ensure everything roasts (not steams) and the edges get those tasty, golden bits.
- Sauce in Two Acts: Add the pineapple halfway so it doesn’t overcook; this keeps the texture fresh and the color bright.
- Toss, Toss, Toss: Giving everything a toss during baking and at the end helps evenly coat your Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken in that fabulous sticky sauce.
How to Serve Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
Garnishes
For a true island finish, sprinkle bright green chopped cilantro or a handful of sliced green onions on top just before serving. A scatter of toasted sesame seeds adds another yummy layer and a little crunch—these little finishing touches really make your Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken memorable!
Side Dishes
This dish is practically begging to be served over fluffy coconut rice, which soaks up every drop of the sweet-and-savory sauce. Jasmine rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice are great options too. For a crisp contrast, try serving with a crunchy slaw or a simple green salad on the side.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties or fun family nights, serve your Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken in pineapple boats (carve out a pineapple and pile the chicken inside). Or, skewer extra pineapple and veggies for festive sheet pan kebabs, and pair with colorful tropical drinks or mocktails for a full-on aloha vibe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. The flavors deepen overnight, and Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken will stay delicious for up to 3 days—perfect for grab-and-go lunches or a simple reheat-and-eat dinner!
Freezing
If you want to double your batch, Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken freezes really well. Cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight for best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, pop leftovers in a skillet over medium-low heat or warm in the microwave until hot, stirring gently so the sauce remains silky. If reheating from frozen, add a splash of water or pineapple juice to refresh the flavors.
FAQs
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Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Fresh pineapple is truly the secret to this recipe’s juicy, caramelized bites, but if that’s not available, you can use canned pineapple in a pinch—just drain and pat dry, but expect a softer texture and less vibrant flavor.
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Can I make Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the sauce and chop all veggies and chicken a day ahead. When ready to cook, toss everything on the pan, coat with sauce, and bake as directed for a stress-free dinner.
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What protein substitutions work with this recipe?
You can swap in boneless chicken thighs for juiciness, or use shrimp, pork tenderloin, or even firm tofu (for a vegetarian spin). Just adjust cooking times accordingly so your protein is perfectly done.
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How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Chicken cubes are done when they’re no longer pink in the center and juices run clear (about 17–20 minutes total at 350°F). If you have a thermometer, aim for an internal temp of 165°F for maximum juiciness without overcooking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to brighten up dinner with sunshine flavors and easy cleanup, Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken is pure joy on a tray. Give it a try and bring everyone together for a meal that’s as simple, stunning, and delicious as any tropical getaway. Enjoy every bite—aloha!
PrintSheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Hawaiian
Description
This Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken recipe brings together tender chicken with sweet pineapple and colorful veggies in a flavorful sauce. It’s an easy one-pan meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Sauce:
- 2 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/3 cup ketchup
- 3 Tbsp pineapple juice concentrate (thaw if totally solidified)
- 2 Tbsp packed brown sugar (light or dark)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp worcestershire
- 2 tsp minced garlic (2 cloves)
- 2 tsp peeled and minced fresh ginger
- 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Chicken Mixture:
- 1 medium green bell pepper, cored and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cored and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small red onion, chopped into chunks
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
- 2 cups fresh cubed pineapple*
- 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl whisk together soy sauce, cornstarch, ketchup, pineapple juice concentrate, brown sugar, rice vinegar, cornstarch worcestershire, garlic, ginger, and pepper.
- Place red and green bell peppers, red onion and chicken on baking sheet then pour sauce over top and toss to evenly coat.
- Cook in preheated oven 10 minutes, remove from oven and toss.
- Sprinkle in pineapple. Return to oven, continue to cook until chicken is cooked through, about 7 – 10 minutes longer.
- Remove from oven toss once more to coat with sauce.
- Serve warm over coconut rice if desired.
Notes
- *Stick with fresh pineapple in this recipe. Frozen or canned cannot be substituted.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg