Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken is one of these easy weeknight dinners that you could make with simple ingredients. I love how this dish brings sweet and savory flavors together on one pan. It has tender chicken, colorful peppers, and sweet pineapple that cook together beautifully. These ingredients create a meal that tastes like a tropical vacation. You could serve it over rice, then it becomes a complete dinner that everyone will enjoy.
Table of Contents
Hawaiian Chicken Ingredients
For the Chicken and Vegetables:
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1½ inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips (about 1½ inches long by ¾ inch wide)
- 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, cut into strips (about 1½ inches long by ¾ inch wide)
- ½ large red onion, cut into strips
- 1 cup diced pineapple (fresh or canned)
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice (from the can if using canned; freshly squeezed if using fresh)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (I use fresh minced ginger paste from the store)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
- Prep your oven: Heat it to 400℉. Then line a large sheet pan with foil.
- Mix the chicken and veggies: Put the chicken, peppers, and onions in a large bowl.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, stir all sauce ingredients together until smooth.
- Save some sauce: Set aside half of the sauce (about 1/3 cup) in a microwave-safe bowl. You could use this later for drizzling.
- Coat everything: Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken mixture. Stir well to coat all pieces.
- Marinate if you want: If you have time, this can sit in the fridge for up to 24 hours. But it also tastes great if you cook it right away.
- Spread on pan: Put the chicken mixture evenly on your sheet pan. Then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- First bake: Cook for 20 minutes.
- Add pineapple: Take the pan out and add the diced pineapple. Then put it back in the oven for 5-10 more minutes until chicken reaches 165℉.
- Heat reserved sauce: While the chicken finishes cooking, heat the saved sauce in the microwave for 45-60 seconds until it gets thick.
- Finish and serve: When chicken is done, drizzle the thickened sauce on top. You could add cilantro or parsley if you like.
Tips for the Best Hawaiian Chicken
- Cut chicken evenly: Make sure all pieces are about the same size. This way they cook at the same rate.
- Don’t skip the foil: It makes cleanup much easier and prevents sticking.
- Check chicken temperature: Use a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 165℉.
- Save some sauce: The reserved sauce adds extra flavor at the end.
- Fresh vs canned pineapple: Both work well, but fresh gives a bit more texture.
Storage Instructions
You could keep leftover Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days. Put it in a covered container and reheat in the microwave or oven. It also freezes well for up to 3 months, but the pineapple might get a bit softer after thawing.
Substitutions or Variations
- Chicken thighs: Use these instead of breasts for more flavor
- Different veggies: Try zucchini, snap peas, or broccoli
- Spice level: Add more crushed red pepper if you like heat
- Honey: You could use this instead of brown sugar
- Coconut aminos: Use these instead of soy sauce for a different flavor
What to Serve with Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
This dish tastes great over:
- White or brown rice
- Quinoa
- Cauliflower rice
- Noodles
You could also serve it with:
- A simple green salad
- Steamed vegetables
- Garlic bread
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
Can I use frozen pineapple? A: Yes, but thaw it first and drain any extra water.
How do I know when the chicken is done? A: Use a meat thermometer. It should read 165℉ in the thickest part.
Can I make this ahead of time? A: You could marinate the chicken and veggies up to 24 hours before cooking.
What if I don’t have Worcestershire sauce? A: You could skip it or use a bit more soy sauce instead.
Can I double this recipe? A: Yes, but use two sheet pans. This way everything cooks evenly.
Print
Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Vegetables:
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1½ inch cubes
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips (about 1½ inches long by ¾ inch wide)
- 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, cut into strips (about 1½ inches long by ¾ inch wide)
- ½ large red onion, cut into strips
- 1 cup diced pineapple (fresh or canned)
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons pineapple juice (from the can if using canned; freshly squeezed if using fresh)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (I use fresh minced ginger paste from the store)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep your oven: Heat it to 400℉. Then line a large sheet pan with foil.
- Mix the chicken and veggies: Put the chicken, peppers, and onions in a large bowl.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, stir all sauce ingredients together until smooth.
- Save some sauce: Set aside half of the sauce (about 1/3 cup) in a microwave-safe bowl. You could use this later for drizzling.
- Coat everything: Pour the remaining sauce over the chicken mixture. Stir well to coat all pieces.
- Marinate if you want: If you have time, this can sit in the fridge for up to 24 hours. But it also tastes great if you cook it right away.
- Spread on pan: Put the chicken mixture evenly on your sheet pan. Then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- First bake: Cook for 20 minutes.
- Add pineapple: Take the pan out and add the diced pineapple. Then put it back in the oven for 5-10 more minutes until chicken reaches 165℉.
- Heat reserved sauce: While the chicken finishes cooking, heat the saved sauce in the microwave for 45-60 seconds until it gets thick.
- Finish and serve: When chicken is done, drizzle the thickened sauce on top. You could add cilantro or parsley if you like.
Notes
- Cut chicken evenly: Make sure all pieces are about the same size. This way they cook at the same rate.
- Don’t skip the foil: It makes cleanup much easier and prevents sticking.
- Check chicken temperature: Use a meat thermometer to make sure it reaches 165℉.
- Save some sauce: The reserved sauce adds extra flavor at the end.
- Fresh vs canned pineapple: Both work well, but fresh gives a bit more texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sheet‑Pan
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ⅓ of recipe
- Calories: 252 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 858 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 34 mg