Tropical Paradise: Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe
Golden, juicy chicken meets tropical flavors in this mouthwatering hawaiian chicken sheet pan recipe that brings island-inspired cuisine straight to your dinner table.
Vibrant ingredients dance together on a single pan, creating a meal bursting with sweet and savory notes.
Each bite promises a delightful journey through Hawaiian-inspired seasonings and textures.
The sheet pan method ensures minimal cleanup and maximum flavor, making weeknight cooking a breeze.
Colorful bell peppers and tender chicken pieces merge in a symphony of taste that will transport you to a sunny beach.
Succulent pieces caramelize beautifully, delivering a perfect balance of crispy edges and juicy interiors.
Prepare to savor every delectable moment of this simple yet extraordinary meal that promises to become a family favorite.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories: 370 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients in Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan
For Protein Base:
Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs the vibrant Hawaiian flavors beautifully and creates a tender, juicy main dish.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Pineapple Chunks: Sweet tropical fruit that adds brightness and natural tenderizing enzymes to the chicken.
Red Bell Peppers: Crisp vegetable that provides color, crunch, and subtle sweetness to complement the Hawaiian profile.
Red Onion: Adds sharp tang and caramelizes wonderfully, creating depth in the overall dish.
For Sauce and Seasoning:
Soy Sauce: Brings umami and salty undertones that anchor the Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.
Honey: Delivers natural sweetness and helps create golden caramelization on the chicken.
Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic depth to the sauce and enhances overall dish complexity.
Ginger: Introduces warm, slightly spicy notes that are quintessential in Hawaiian cuisine.
Rice Vinegar: Provides subtle tangy balance to the sweet and savory elements.
Cornstarch: Creates silky sauce texture and helps thicken the pan juices.
Olive Oil: Helps coat ingredients and promotes even roasting.
Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to elevate and balance all flavors.
Kitchen Tools for Sheet Pan Meals
Large Sheet Pan: Essential for roasting chicken, pineapple, peppers, and onions in one easy step.
Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together sauce ingredients smoothly.
Small Saucepan: Helpful for thickening sauce with cornstarch slurry if desired.
Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce ingredients and creating a uniform mixture.
Measuring Spoons: Needed for accurate seasoning and sauce preparation.
Cutting Board: Useful for preparing vegetables and chicken before cooking.
Sharp Knife: Required for chopping peppers and onions into even pieces.
Steps for Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan
Fire Up the Oven Crank your oven to a toasty 400F for the perfect roasting temperature.
Create Flavor Explosion Whip together a zesty sauce that'll make your taste buds dance with tropical vibes.
Prep the Feast Spread chicken, sweet pineapple chunks, colorful peppers, and onions across a massive sheet pan.
Season and Coat Drizzle everything with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toss until perfectly glossy.
Sauce It Up Pour that magical sauce over your ingredients, giving everything a gentle mix to ensure maximum flavor coverage.
Bake to Perfection Slide the pan into the oven and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even caramelization and juicy chicken.
Finish and Feast If you're craving extra sauciness, quickly simmer pan juices with a quick cornstarch mix until gloriously thick. Serve over rice or solo and enjoy your tropical culinary adventure!
Tips to Amp Up Hawaiian Chicken
Meal Prep Magic: Chop all vegetables and mix sauce ingredients the night before to save time during busy weeknights.
Protein Swap: Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or lean pork for a delightful twist on the classic Hawaiian flavor profile.
Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining the dish's delicious tropical essence.
Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce for extra heat, or sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch before serving.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This sheet pan meal can be prepped and refrigerated up to 24 hours in advance, making it perfect for meal planning and quick dinners.
Serving Up Sheet Pan Chicken
Tropical Vacation Plate: Serve this Hawaiian chicken over fluffy white rice or coconut rice for an authentic island-inspired meal that brings beach vibes right to your dinner table.
Garnish Glow-Up: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, green onions, or toasted sesame seeds on top to add bright colors and extra crunch that elevate the dish's visual appeal and texture.
Low-Carb Twist: Replace traditional rice with cauliflower rice or serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad for a lighter, protein-packed dinner option that keeps things deliciously fresh and nutritious.
Family-Style Feast: Arrange the sheet pan directly on the table for a casual, communal dining experience that lets everyone dig in and serve themselves with that perfect Hawaiian hospitality spirit.
Store Hawaiian Chicken Right
Smart Meal Prep Strategy: Cook extra chicken and vegetables to create quick lunches for 23 days. Store components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
Quick Freezing Technique: Allow sheet pan meal to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 3 months for future fast dinners.
Refrigeration Safety Watch: Keep leftover Hawaiian chicken in sealed containers within 2 hours of cooking. Consume refrigerated meals within 34 days for best quality and taste.
Reheating Magic Trick: Warm refrigerated meals in microwave or oven, adding small splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Stir midway through heating to distribute warmth evenly.
Hawaiian chicken sheet pan dinners blend tropical flavors with simple preparation. Pineapple, soy sauce, and ginger create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave for weeknight comfort and weekend relaxation.
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
2 cups pineapple chunks (fresh or canned, drained)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
⅓ cup soy sauce
¼ cup pineapple juice (from canned or fresh)
2 tbsps honey
2 tbsps ketchup
1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsps olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to a blazing 400F (200C), creating an ideal roasting atmosphere for the Hawaiian-inspired creation.
Sauce Crafting: Whisk liquid ingredients together, setting aside the cornstarch mixture for later transformation.
Ingredient Arrangement: Spread chicken, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onions across a spacious baking sheet, forming a vibrant culinary canvas.
Seasoning Technique: Drizzle olive oil over the ingredients, then massage salt and pepper thoroughly to ensure complete flavor integration.
Sauce Distribution: Pour the prepared sauce across the sheet pan, gently tumbling ingredients to guarantee uniform flavor absorption.
Roasting Process: Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, stirring midway to promote even caramelization and prevent ingredient adhesion to the pan.
Sauce Refinement: Optional sauce thickening involves transferring pan juices to a saucepan, introducing the cornstarch slurry, and simmering for 2-3 minutes until achieving a glossy, rich consistency.
Serving Suggestion: Present the Hawaiian medley atop fluffy rice, cauliflower rice, or enjoy as a standalone gastronomic experience.
Notes
Preheat Precisely: Use an oven thermometer to confirm the exact 400F temperature for consistent roasting and caramelization.
Sauce Stirring Strategy: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to prevent ingredient separation and ensure smooth, balanced flavor distribution.
Cut Consistently: Chop chicken and vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking and preventing uneven texture or doneness.
Cornstarch Control: Mix cornstarch with cold liquid before adding to hot sauce to prevent lumps and achieve silky, glossy sauce texture.
Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Program: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: A hands-on curriculum emphasizing farm-to-table cooking, local ingredient sourcing, and creative menu development. Students gained real-world restaurant experience, learning both classic techniques and modern approaches to sustainable cooking.
John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.
His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.
Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen
John Nicholson
Lead Writer & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Recipe Testing and Development, Kitchen Hacks and Time-Saving Tips, Flavor Pairing and Ingredient Selection, Engaging Food Writing and Storytelling
Education
Johnson & Wales University
John Nicholson honed his skills at Johnson & Wales University, learning how to use fresh, local ingredients and down-to-earth techniques to make cooking simple and satisfying.
His recipes blend Southern comfort flavors with a modern touch, inviting everyone to cook with ease and confidence.
Living in Charleston, John takes cues from the city’s lively food scene, local markets, and seasonal produce. He’s all about making meals stress-free through easy tips, flavor pairings, and fun experiments in the kitchen