Tropical Hawaiian Chicken on a Sheet Pan is a colorful, sweet-savory dinner loaded with juicy chicken, bell peppers, pineapple, and a bold tropical glaze. It’s all roasted together on one pan for easy prep, easy cleanup, and maximum flavor—just the way I like it.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe brings bright, tropical flavors to my weeknight dinner routine without the fuss. The chicken soaks up a sticky pineapple-soy marinade while the vegetables caramelize in the oven. And since everything roasts together, I don’t have to worry about juggling pots and pans. It’s vibrant, juicy, and packed with island-style flavor.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
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Fresh pineapple chunks
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Bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sliced
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Red onion, sliced
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Olive oil
For the tropical glaze:
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Pineapple juice
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Soy sauce
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Brown sugar or honey
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Garlic, minced
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Ginger, grated
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Rice vinegar or lime juice
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Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment or foil.
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I whisk together the glaze: pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and vinegar. I set aside a bit for brushing later.
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I toss the chicken with some of the glaze and let it marinate for at least 15 minutes (longer if I have time).
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On the sheet pan, I arrange the marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and red onion in a single layer.
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I drizzle everything with olive oil and roast for 25–30 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway and brushing with reserved glaze.
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I broil for 2–3 minutes at the end to caramelize the edges, then serve hot with rice or noodles.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 and takes about 45 minutes total—10–15 minutes to prep, 25–30 minutes to roast, and a few minutes under the broiler.
Variations
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I’ve used boneless chicken thighs for juicier results, but breasts work great too.
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A dash of chili flakes or sriracha in the glaze gives it a nice spicy kick.
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I sometimes add zucchini or snap peas to the pan for more veggie variety.
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For a low-carb version, I serve it over cauliflower rice or lettuce wraps.
Storage/Reheating
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. I reheat them in the oven at 350°F or in a skillet until warmed through. The glaze thickens even more the next day, making the flavor even better. It’s also great cold over salad.
FAQs
Can I make this with canned pineapple?
Yes. I’ve used canned pineapple chunks packed in juice (not syrup). I save some of the juice for the glaze and drain the rest.
How do I keep the chicken from drying out?
I prefer using thighs because they stay moist. If I use breasts, I keep an eye on them and take them out as soon as they hit 165°F internally.
Can I prep this in advance?
Absolutely. I marinate the chicken and chop the veggies ahead of time. When I’m ready to cook, I just assemble everything on the pan and roast.
Is the glaze supposed to be thick?
The glaze is naturally thin but gets slightly syrupy in the oven. For a thicker glaze, I mix in a small cornstarch slurry and simmer it before brushing it on.
What should I serve this with?
I usually go with jasmine rice, coconut rice, or even grilled flatbread. It’s also great with a simple cucumber salad or slaw on the side.
Conclusion
Tropical Hawaiian Chicken on a Sheet Pan is one of those meals that tastes like a vacation but comes together in under an hour. With juicy chicken, roasted pineapple, and a sticky-sweet glaze, it’s packed with flavor and couldn’t be easier to clean up. It’s a dinner I keep on repeat—especially when I want to bring a little sunshine to the table.
Print
Tropical Hawaiian Chicken on a Sheet Pan
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus optional marinating)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sheet Pan Roasting
- Cuisine: Hawaiian‑Inspired
- Diet: Halal
Description
Tropical Hawaiian Chicken on a Sheet Pan is a vibrant one‑pan dinner featuring juicy chicken, bell peppers, pineapple, and a sticky sweet‑savory glaze. Easy to prep and perfect for an effortless yet flavorful meal.
Ingredients
- 1½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow (or orange) bell pepper, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 cups pineapple chunks (fresh or drained from can)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ cup pineapple juice (if using canned pineapple, reserve the juice)
- ¼ cup soy sauce (or low‑sodium soy sauce)
- 3 tbsp brown sugar or honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening glaze)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lime wedges & chopped cilantro or green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment or foil for easy cleanup.
- In a bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, garlic, ginger (if using), rice vinegar or lime juice and cornstarch (if using) until smooth.
- Pat chicken pieces dry, season lightly with salt and pepper, then place on the sheet pan.
- Toss the bell peppers, red onion, and pineapple chunks with olive oil, salt and pepper; spread them out on the sheet pan around the chicken in a single layer.
- Pour half of the glaze over the chicken and veggies, reserving the extra to brush later.
- Roast in the oven for about 20‑25 minutes, flipping the chicken and stirring the veggies halfway through so everything caramelizes evenly.
- For a finish with extra caramelization, switch oven to broil for the last 2‑3 minutes—watch closely to avoid burning.
- Remove from oven, brush with remaining glaze, and allow to rest for a minute or two. Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro or green onions if desired. Serve over rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Notes
- If using chicken breasts, be cautious not to overcook—thighs are more forgiving and stay juicy.
- Fresh pineapple yields best flavor and caramelization, but well‑drained canned pineapple works fine. Be sure to remove excess liquid to prevent steaming. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
- Cut all components (chicken, peppers, pineapple) into similar sized pieces so they cook evenly and finish at the same time. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- If you want more sauce thickness, whisk the cornstarch with a little cold water and stir it into the glaze before roasting—or add extra sauce at the end. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- For extra veggies, you can add zucchini, snap peas or broccoli—just adjust cooking time so everything finishes together. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1‐4th of recipe
- Calories: ~420
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
