Easy Pineapple Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe

Tired of the Same Old Boring Weeknight Dinners?

Are you stuck in a weeknight dinner rut? I get it, after a long day, the last thing you want is a complicated recipe with a mountain of dishes. The cycle of tacos, spaghetti, and plain baked chicken can feel endless, leaving you uninspired and your family underwhelmed. It’s that familiar 5 PM feeling of “What on earth are we going to eat tonight?”

You’re searching for something that’s fast, easy, healthy-ish, and—most importantly—exciting. You need a meal that breaks the monotony without breaking the bank or requiring you to spend hours in the kitchen. The goal is a dinner that feels like a treat but cleans up like a dream.

Here’s the deal: this Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan recipe is the perfect solution for a busy weeknight. It combines juicy chicken, a rainbow of colorful vegetables, and sweet, caramelized pineapple in a savory, tangy sauce. Best of all, it all cooks together on one pan in under 30 minutes, delivering a flavorful, family-friendly meal with minimal cleanup.

Why This Easy Hawaiian Chicken Recipe is a Game-Changer

This recipe is a game-changer because it delivers maximum flavor with minimum effort, making it an ideal solution for busy weeknights, meal prep, and pleasing picky eaters. In my experience, it’s the combination of speed, simplicity, and vibrant taste that puts this dish on constant rotation.

• One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks on a single sheet pan. That means cleanup is an absolute breeze. Say goodbye to scrubbing multiple pots and pans!
• 30-Minute Meal: From prep to table in about 30 minutes, it’s genuinely faster, healthier, and more delicious than waiting for takeout.
• A Taste of the Tropics: The irresistible sweet and savory sauce brings a vibrant, Hawaiian-inspired flavor that both adults and kids absolutely love.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch on Sunday for delicious, healthy, and satisfying lunches all week long. The flavors only get better as they meld in the fridge.

The Only Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe You’ll Ever Need

This is the ultimate, go-to version of the Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan recipe that guarantees perfectly cooked chicken, tender-crisp veggies, and a mouthwatering glaze every time. It’s a simple, step-by-step guide that I’ve tested and perfected to be completely foolproof. Get ready for your new favorite dinner.

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make this delicious sheet pan dinner, you’ll need a combination of chicken, colorful vegetables, fresh pineapple, and a simple homemade Hawaiian-style sauce. The ingredients are fresh, simple, and easy to find at any grocery store.

Ingredients:

• For the Chicken and Veggies:
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 large red bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large green bell pepper, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium red onion, cut into chunks
  • 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional Garnish: Sliced green onions, sesame seeds, fresh cilantro
• For the Sweet & Savory Hawaiian Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice (from a can or fresh)
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or coconut aminos for Paleo/Whole30)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar or honey (or omit for Whole30)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch (or arrowroot powder) mixed with 2 tbsp water to create a slurry

Pin this recipe for your next weeknight dinner!

2. Mix, Bake, and Enjoy!

The cooking process involves tossing the chicken and veggies with part of the sauce, baking them, and then adding the pineapple and a thickened sauce to finish. This two-step sauce application is the secret to getting a perfect glaze without burning the sugars.

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for the easiest cleanup imaginable.
2. Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar/honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
3. Combine & Coat: In a separate large bowl, combine the cubed chicken, chopped bell peppers, and red onion. Pour about two-thirds of the sauce over the mixture and toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
4. Arrange on Pan: Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture in a single, even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan; use two pans if necessary to get that perfect roast.
5. First Bake: Bake for 15 minutes.
6. Add Pineapple & Thicken Sauce: While the chicken bakes, add the cornstarch slurry to the remaining one-third of the sauce and whisk until smooth. After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven, add the fresh pineapple chunks, and drizzle the thickened remaining sauce over everything.
7. Final Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (reaches an internal temperature of 165°F) and the vegetables are tender. For extra color, broil on high for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
8. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Pro-Tip: My key to perfect sheet pan chicken is not overcrowding the pan! Spreading everything in a single layer ensures the ingredients roast instead of steam, giving you that delicious caramelization and slightly crispy edges that make this dish so good.

Love how easy this looks? Share it with a friend who needs a new dinner idea!

3. Serving and Customizing Your Dish

You can serve this dish in several ways by pairing it with a base like rice or quinoa, and you can easily customize it by swapping proteins or adding more vegetables to suit your taste or dietary needs.

Serving Suggestions:

• Classic: Serve over a bed of fluffy white, brown, or jasmine rice to soak up all the delicious sauce.
• Low-Carb: Pair with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter, keto-friendly meal.
• Hearty: Serve alongside cooked quinoa for an extra boost of protein and fiber.

Variations & Tips:

• Protein Swap: Don’t have chicken breast? Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work beautifully and are extra juicy. You can even try this with shrimp (add it in the last 10 minutes of cooking) or pork tenderloin.
• Veggie Boost: Feel free to add other sturdy vegetables like broccoli florets, snap peas, or zucchini chunks along with the bell peppers.
• Paleo/Whole30: To make this compliant, simply use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and omit the brown sugar. Double-check that your pineapple juice has no added sugar.
• Meal Prep: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully, making it perfect for work lunches.

Lesson Learned: If you’re using frozen pineapple, make sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly before adding it to the pan. I learned the hard way that excess water will prevent it from caramelizing properly and can make the other ingredients soggy.

Which variation will you try first? Let me know in the comments!

Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to the Perfect Hawaiian Chicken Dinner

To guarantee success every time, remember these five key tips: don’t crowd the pan, reserve some sauce for a final glaze, add pineapple near the end, use the broiler for color, and always use parchment paper for easy cleanup.

• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Use a large sheet pan (or two if needed) to ensure your ingredients roast to perfection, not steam into a soggy mess.
• Reserve Some Sauce: Keep about a third of your sauce to thicken and drizzle on later. This creates that perfect, sticky glaze that everyone loves.
• Add Pineapple Last: Adding pineapple chunks during the last 10-15 minutes of baking is crucial. This keeps them from getting mushy and allows them to caramelize beautifully.
• Broil for Color: A minute or two under the broiler at the very end creates amazing color, texture, and slightly charred edges. Just watch it closely!
• Parchment is Your Friend: Seriously, don’t skip this. Lining your pan with parchment paper means you have virtually zero cleanup. Just toss the paper and you’re done.

People Also Ask About HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SHEET PAN recipe

Can you put raw chicken on a sheet pan with vegetables?

Yes, absolutely! It is perfectly safe to cook raw chicken and vegetables together on the same sheet pan. The key is to ensure everything is cooked to the proper final temperature. To help them cook evenly, cut your vegetables and chicken into similar-sized pieces (about 1-inch) and always use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.

How long does it take to cook chicken on a sheet pan?

For 1-inch pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast, it typically takes 20-30 minutes to cook through in an oven preheated to 400°F (200°C). The exact time can vary slightly based on the true temperature of your oven and the exact size of your chicken pieces. The most reliable method is to use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches a safe 165°F (74°C).

What seasoning is good for sheet pan chicken?

For this Hawaiian chicken, the sauce provides most of the flavor with its blend of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and pineapple juice. However, to build a delicious base layer of flavor, you can toss the cubed chicken with a simple seasoning mix before adding the sauce. A great combination is a little salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Pineapple Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a solution. It’s proof that you don’t have to choose between food that’s fast, healthy, or delicious. You can have all three, even on the busiest of weeknights, with a recipe that brings a little bit of sunshine and a whole lot of flavor to your dinner table.

I hope this recipe helps you break out of your dinner rut and makes your evenings a little bit easier and a lot more delicious.

What’s your favorite time-saving trick for busy weeknights? Share your secrets in the comments below