Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

This Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken Recipe brings the tropical flavors of Hawaii right to your dining table with minimal effort. Sweet pineapple, colorful bell peppers, and tender chicken are coated in a sticky, savory-sweet sauce that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. Ready in just 40 minutes, this vibrant one-pan wonder is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something delicious but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks together on a single sheet pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your evening.
• Perfect Balance of Flavors: The combination of sweet pineapple, savory soy sauce, and a hint of ginger creates an irresistible flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting.
• Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters tend to love the sweet-savory combination, making this a dinner that pleases everyone at the table.
• Versatile Base Recipe: Once you master the basic technique, you can easily switch up the protein or vegetables to create countless variations.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken breasts: The protein foundation of the dish – they soak up all the delicious flavors while staying juicy and tender.
• Bell peppers: Red, orange, or yellow peppers add vibrant color and sweet crunch. Choose different colors for visual appeal!
• Red onion: Adds a slight sharpness that mellows as it roasts, providing depth to the overall flavor profile.
• Soy sauce: The salty, umami base of the sauce. Using reduced sodium allows you to control the salt level better.
• Ketchup: Provides tomato flavor and thickness to the sauce while adding a touch of acidity and sweetness.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating sticky, glazed edges on the chicken.
• Pineapple juice: Infuses tropical flavor throughout the dish while adding natural sweetness and acidity.
• Rice vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a mild tang that brightens all the flavors.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds aromatic depth that dried simply can’t match.
• Ginger: Fresh grated ginger brings warmth and distinctive spiciness that’s essential for authentic Hawaiian-inspired flavor.
• Red pepper flake: Just enough to add a subtle heat that complements the sweet elements without overwhelming them.
• Arrowroot powder: Thickens the sauce so it clings beautifully to the chicken and vegetables (cornstarch works too).
• Fresh pineapple: The star ingredient that brings sunshine to the dish with its juicy sweetness and tropical flavor.

Variations

Protein Swaps

Try using chicken thighs instead of breasts for even juicier results. For a pescatarian version, large chunks of firm white fish or shrimp work beautifully (just adjust cooking time down to prevent overcooking).

Vegetable Options

Broccoli florets, zucchini chunks, or snow peas make excellent additions or substitutions. For a more substantial meal, add chunks of sweet potato (just pre-roast them for 15 minutes before adding the other ingredients).

Flavor Twists

Add a tablespoon of sriracha for extra heat, or include a splash of sesame oil for nutty depth. For a more complex sauce, try adding a tablespoon of hoisin sauce or oyster sauce to the mix.

Vegetarian Version

Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, pressing and drying well before cutting into cubes. You might need to adjust cooking time slightly.

How to Make Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Dice chicken breasts into approximately 1-inch cubes, ensuring they’re relatively uniform for even cooking. Cut bell peppers and red onion into similar-sized chunks to ensure everything cooks evenly.

Step 2: Create The Sauce

In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, ketchup, honey, pineapple juice, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flake until well combined. Add the arrowroot powder and whisk vigorously to remove any lumps. This sauce is the flavor foundation of your dish!

Step 3: Coat Everything Evenly

Place diced chicken, peppers, and onions in a large bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over top and toss thoroughly until everything is well coated. Make sure each piece gets some sauce love.

Step 4: First Bake

Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Try not to overcrowd the pan, as this will cause steaming rather than caramelization. Bake for 10 minutes to get the cooking process started.

Step 5: Add Pineapple & Finish Baking

After the initial 10 minutes, add the fresh pineapple chunks to the sheet pan, gently tossing everything together to coat the pineapple with the developing sauce. Return to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Step 6: Broil For Extra Caramelization

For that perfect caramelized finish, switch your oven to broil for the final 3-4 minutes of cooking. Watch carefully to prevent burning! This step creates those deliciously sticky, slightly charred edges that make this dish irresistible.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Don’t Overcrowd: Use a large enough sheet pan to allow some space between pieces. This promotes caramelization rather than steaming.
• Uniform Cutting: Try to cut all ingredients to similar sizes for even cooking. Nobody wants overcooked chicken and undercooked peppers!
• Pineapple Timing: Adding the pineapple halfway through prevents it from releasing too much juice too early and becoming mushy.
• Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, double the arrowroot powder. For a thinner sauce, use just half the amount called for.
• Marinating Option: For even more flavor, you can toss the chicken with the sauce and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before adding the vegetables and proceeding with the recipe.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve this vibrant dish over a bed of steamed jasmine or coconut rice to soak up all that delicious sauce. For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice works beautifully too.

Garnish Ideas

Sprinkle with sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or chopped cilantro for fresh flavor and visual appeal. A squeeze of lime juice just before serving adds bright acidity.

Complete the Meal

Pair with a simple side salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil, or serve with steamed edamame for a complete, balanced meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Hawaiian chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight, making this a great meal prep option.

Freezing

This dish freezes surprisingly well! Portion cooled leftovers into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Just be aware that the vegetables and pineapple will soften somewhat upon thawing.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers in the microwave until just warmed through, or for better texture, reheat in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or pineapple juice if the sauce has thickened too much.

FAQs

Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Canned pineapple chunks work well in this recipe – just drain them thoroughly and save the juice for the sauce. The flavor won’t be quite as vibrant as fresh, but it’s a great time-saving option and still delicious.

How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and appear opaque throughout with no pink remaining. With 1-inch cubes, this typically takes about 25 minutes total cooking time, but using a meat thermometer is the most reliable method.

Can I make this recipe spicier?
Definitely! For more heat, increase the red pepper flakes to 1/2 or even 1 teaspoon, or add a diced jalapeño to the vegetable mix. A drizzle of sriracha over the finished dish works wonderfully too.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, but it’s easy to adapt! Simply substitute tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce, and double-check that your ketchup doesn’t contain any hidden gluten ingredients. All other components are naturally gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken brings tropical vibes to your dinner table with minimal fuss. The combination of juicy pineapple, tender chicken, and colorful vegetables bathed in that sweet-savory sauce creates a meal that feels special despite its simplicity. Whether for a weeknight family dinner or casual entertaining, this one-pan wonder delivers big on flavor while keeping your kitchen time to a minimum. Give it a try—your taste buds will thank you for the mini vacation to the islands!

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