Quick Hawaiian Chicken Recipe on a Sheet Pan

Are you looking for a meal that whisks you away to a tropical escape, but without all the kitchen chaos? We know the feeling. That’s why we are so excited to share this fantastic quick Hawaiian chicken recipe on a sheet pan. It’s our go-to solution for those busy weeknights, offering a complete and wholesome meal that is simply bursting with sweet and savoury notes. Best of all, it all comes together on a single pan, which makes the washing up an absolute breeze. Your family is bound to fall in love with this delightful harmony of flavours.

We hold the belief that preparing food should be a pleasure, not a burden. With this ethos in mind, we’ve refined this recipe to ensure it is as straightforward as it is delicious. You only need a few fresh ingredients and about half an hour to create a vibrant and nourishing dish that truly stands out. Let’s begin our culinary journey and bring a taste of the tropics right to your kitchen table!

Why You’ll Adore This Sheet Pan Dinner

Before we jump into the method, let’s explore exactly why this recipe is so special. This is more than just another way to cook chicken; we think it’s a genuine game-changer for any busy family. Here are the reasons we’re so enthusiastic about this dish:

• Effortless Washing Up: The entire meal cooks on one baking tray. We always line ours with baking parchment, meaning the clean-up process is as simple as discarding the paper. It is the perfect easy sheet pan dinner.
• Simply Packed with Flavour: The blend of zesty pineapple, rich soy sauce, sweet honey, and aromatic ginger results in a sauce that is utterly divine. During baking, this sauce caramelises beautifully over the chicken and vegetables.
• A Wonderfully Balanced Meal: This dish provides your protein, vegetables, and fruit all in one serving! It’s a nutritious meal you can feel genuinely good about sharing with your loved ones.
• Fast and Simple: This recipe takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish, which makes it absolutely perfect for those demanding weeknights when you’re short on time but still crave a proper home-cooked dinner.

Ingredients for Your Hawaiian Chicken Bake

The true charm of this recipe is found in its straightforwardness. We use fresh, easy-to-find ingredients to deliver an explosion of flavour. Here is everything you will need to get started.

For the Chicken and Vegetables:

• Chicken: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, weighing around 600-700g, chopped into 1-inch cubes
• Pineapple: 1 whole fresh pineapple, cored and sliced into 1-inch chunks (or a 400g tin of pineapple chunks in juice, well-drained)
• Bell Peppers: 2 large bell peppers, deseeded and cut into 1-inch pieces (we suggest a mix of red and yellow for a splash of colour)
• Red Onion: 1 large red onion, sliced into wedges
• Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon

For the Hawaiian Sauce:

• Pineapple Juice: 80ml (1/3 cup) – feel free to use the juice from the tin if you’re using tinned pineapple!
• Soy Sauce: 60ml (1/4 cup) – for a gluten-free alternative, use tamari
• Honey: 2 tablespoons (maple syrup also works well)
• Rice Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
• Garlic: 2 cloves, finely minced
• Ginger: 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger root
• Cornflour: 1 teaspoon (this helps the sauce to thicken nicely)

For Garnish (Optional):

• Freshly chopped coriander
• Thinly sliced spring onions
• A sprinkle of sesame seeds

Step-by-Step Instructions: Your Guide to a Quick Hawaiian Chicken Recipe on a Sheet Pan

Are you ready to start cooking? Just follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a mouth-watering meal ready in no time at all. We’ve laid out the process to make this pineapple chicken recipe completely foolproof for you.

1. Get Your Oven and Pan Ready: To begin, preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6). Line a large, rimmed baking tray with baking parchment to ensure the super-easy washing up we mentioned earlier.
2. Create the Hawaiian Sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: the pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornflour. Whisk them together until the cornflour has completely dissolved and the mixture is lovely and smooth.
3. Combine and Coat: In a separate large bowl, add your cubed chicken, chopped peppers, and onion wedges. Pour roughly two-thirds of your prepared sauce over the top. Give everything a good stir to ensure it’s all evenly coated. Let it stand for about 10 minutes so the flavours can begin to mingle. If you’re not in a rush, you can marinate it in the fridge for up to 30 minutes.
4. Arrange on the Baking Tray: Tip the coated chicken and vegetable mixture onto your prepared tray, spreading it out in a single, even layer. It is vital not to overcrowd the pan, as this makes the ingredients steam instead of roast. If you need to, use two separate trays.
5. The First Bake: Pop the tray into your preheated oven and let it bake for 10-12 minutes. By now, the chicken should be starting to cook, and the vegetables will be getting tender.
6. Introduce the Pineapple: Carefully take the baking tray out of the oven. Scatter the pineapple chunks over the tray and drizzle the last of the sauce over everything. Gently toss it all together directly on the pan to make sure every piece is coated in that wonderful, glossy sauce.
7. The Final Bake: Put the tray back into the oven to bake for another 8-10 minutes. It’s ready when the chicken is fully cooked (the juices should run clear) and the vegetables are tender-crisp with nicely caramelised edges. For a more charred finish, you can switch the oven to its grill setting for the final minute or two—just watch it carefully to make sure it doesn’t burn!
8. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to rest for a moment. If using, sprinkle over the fresh coriander, spring onions, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately while hot and wait for the praise to roll in!

Tips for the Perfect Hawaiian Chicken Bake

We truly want your meal to be a spectacular success. Here are some of our top tips that we’ve picked up over time:

• Give it Space: We’ve said it before, but this is our most crucial piece of advice! Spreading your ingredients out gives the hot air room to move around, which is essential for achieving that wonderful roasted flavour and caramelisation.
• Cut Uniformly: Aim to chop your chicken and vegetables into pieces of a similar size (about 1-inch). This helps everything to cook through evenly and at the same rate.
• Fresh Is Often Best: Although tinned pineapple is a fine substitute, we find that fresh pineapple provides a superior texture and a brighter, more vibrant flavour that truly makes the dish sing.
• Check the Chicken is Cooked: To be absolutely certain your chicken is ready, the most reliable method is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 74°C (165°F). For more information on cooking chicken safely, always consult trusted resources like the UK’s Food Standards Agency.

If you’re a fan of chicken dishes that are both simple to make and bursting with flavour, we think you’ll also adore our recipe for Tasty Bang Bang Chicken Skewers Delicious Easy, which delivers another fantastic sweet and spicy experience!

Variations and Serving Suggestions

One of the greatest attributes of this Hawaiian chicken bake is its adaptability. We encourage you to get creative and make it your own!

Fun Variations:

• Pack in More Veggies: Florets of broccoli, chunks of courgette, or fresh snap peas are all excellent additions. Simply add them at the same time as the peppers and onion.
• Turn Up the Heat: For a spicy twist, add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce.
• Try Another Protein: This delicious sauce also works wonders with cubed pork tenderloin or large prawns. If you opt for prawns, add them for the final 5-6 minutes of cooking, as they cook very quickly.

What to Serve It With:

While this dish is a satisfying meal on its own, it pairs beautifully with a few sides if you want to make it go further:

• Fluffy white or brown rice
• Nutritious quinoa
• Luxurious coconut rice
• A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing

The sheer simplicity of this meal is on par with other speedy favourites, such as The Ultimate Easy Creamy Chicken Tortilla Wraps, which just goes to show that wonderful dinners need not be complicated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this quick Hawaiian chicken recipe on a sheet pan?

Of course! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are an excellent alternative. They contain a little more fat, which means they are more forgiving and often stay even juicier during cooking. Just be sure to chop them into 1-inch pieces and cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).

Is it possible to prepare this meal ahead of time?

Yes, a bit of forward planning can make this 30-minute chicken recipe even quicker. You can chop your vegetables and chicken and keep them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to a day. The sauce can also be prepared in advance and stored in a sealed jar in the fridge. When it’s time to eat, simply toss it all together and bake!

What is the best way to store and reheat leftovers?

You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for a minute or two. However, for the best results, we recommend spreading the leftovers on a baking tray and warming them in a 175°C (350°F) oven for around 10 minutes until hot. This helps everything to crisp up again nicely.

Is this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet?

Yes, it’s very easy to adapt for a gluten-free diet. All you need to do is swap the soy sauce for tamari or another certified gluten-free soy sauce. The other ingredients are naturally free from gluten, but it’s always wise to check the packaging to be certain.

My sauce came out too thin. What did I do wrong?

The cornflour is the key thickening agent in the sauce. If your sauce is a bit runny, it might be because the cornflour wasn’t mixed in properly, or there was a lot of excess water from the vegetables or pineapple. An easy fix is to pour the pan juices into a small saucepan after baking. Bring it to a simmer on the hob for a few minutes until it has reduced and thickened to your liking. You can then pour it back over the chicken and vegetables before serving.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Weeknight Meal

We feel sure that this quick Hawaiian chicken recipe on a sheet pan will soon earn its place in your regular meal plan. It truly ticks all the boxes: it’s speedy, bursting with flavour, made with wholesome ingredients, and results in hardly any washing up. This is the kind of dinner that brings a little bit of sunshine to your day, regardless of the weather outside.

So, why not give this wonderful recipe a go this week? We would be delighted to hear how you get on. Please feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts or to share any of your own creative twists on the dish. Happy cooking!