Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe

You might think Hawaiian chicken sounds complicated, but this sheet pan recipe will change your mind. Sheet pan dinners are your secret weapon for quick, flavorful meals that'll impress everyone at the table. Imagine tender chicken, caramelized pineapple, and crisp bell peppers, all roasted together with a tangy teriyaki glaze. Intrigued by how something so simple can taste so amazing? Let's break down this tropical-inspired dish that'll transport your taste buds to paradise.

Table of Contents

Recipe Highlights

Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Recipe combines tender chicken, sweet pineapple, and colorful bell peppers in a single, easy-to-prepare tropical-inspired dish.
Ingredients include chicken breasts, teriyaki sauce, fresh pineapple chunks, red bell peppers, and onions, baked together on a sheet pan.
Preparation involves cutting ingredients into uniform 1-inch chunks, drizzling with teriyaki sauce, and baking until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Cooking time is approximately 30 minutes, with minimal prep and cleanup, making it a convenient and flavorful meal for families and guests.
Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions, and consider marinating chicken beforehand to enhance the Hawaiian-inspired flavors and culinary experience.

History

Though Hawaiian cuisine might seem like a recent culinary trend, its roots actually trace back to a complex cultural fusion of Polynesian, Asian, and European influences.

You'll discover that traditional Hawaiian cooking emerged from centuries of migration and cultural exchange. Native Hawaiians originally sustained themselves with taro, fish, and tropical fruits, creating rich, layered flavor profiles.

When European and Asian settlers arrived, they brought new ingredients and cooking techniques.

You can thank Japanese, Chinese, and Portuguese immigrants for transforming Hawaiian cuisine. They introduced rice, soy sauce, and grilling methods that now define modern Hawaiian dishes.

Teriyaki, a quintessential flavor in today's Hawaiian-inspired recipes, originated from Japanese marinades and became a staple in island cooking.

Recipe

Bring the vibrant flavors of Hawaii to your dinner table with this simple yet delicious sheet pan chicken recipe. The combination of sweet pineapple, tender chicken, and colorful bell peppers creates a tropical-inspired meal that's both easy to prepare and bursting with flavor.

This one-pan wonder transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner that will transport your taste buds to the Hawaiian islands. With minimal prep and cleanup, you'll have a restaurant-quality meal on the table in under an hour.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce
2 red bell peppers, cut into chunks
1 red onion, cut into wedges
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Arrange the chicken breasts in the center of the pan and surround them with the pineapple chunks, bell pepper chunks, and onion wedges. Season everything with salt and pepper.

Pour the teriyaki sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables, making sure the chicken is well-coated. Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken and stirring the vegetables halfway through cooking. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.

For the best results, ensure all ingredients are cut to similar sizes to promote even cooking. Consider marinating the chicken in some of the teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance the flavor, and let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to retain its juices. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions if desired.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by prepping your sheet pan with a strategic layout of ingredients, carefully positioning the chicken and surrounding it with colorful pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onion wedges.

Next, drizzle the teriyaki sauce generously over everything, ensuring each piece gets a nice, even coating that'll caramelize beautifully during baking.

Watch for the chicken to turn a golden brown and reach that perfect 165°F internal temperature, which signals it's ready to be pulled from the oven and allowed a brief moment to rest before serving.

Step 1. Prepare Sheet Pan and Ingredients

Since sheet pan dinners are all about simplicity, start by gathering your ingredients and prepping your baking sheet for maximum cooking efficiency.

Line a large rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ease cleanup. Grab your sharp chef's knife and cutting board, then precisely chop your red bell peppers and red onion into uniform 1-inch chunks. This ensures even cooking and an attractive presentation.

Next, slice chicken breasts if they're particularly thick, aiming for consistent 1-inch thickness. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help achieve a nice golden sear. Measure out your teriyaki sauce and have your fresh pineapple chunks ready.

Pro tip: Choose a sheet pan with slightly raised edges to catch all those delicious cooking juices.

Step 2. Arrange Ingredients Systematically

When arranging ingredients for this Hawaiian chicken sheet pan dinner, carefully distribute your components to maximize flavor infusion and ensure even cooking.

Start by placing chicken breasts centrally on the lined sheet pan, allowing enough space between each piece for heat circulation. Scatter pineapple chunks around the chicken, positioning them to catch sauce drippings and caramelize during roasting.

Intersperse red bell pepper chunks and onion wedges strategically, creating visual appeal and promoting balanced flavor distribution. Aim for uniform piece sizes—roughly 1-inch chunks work best—to guarantee consistent cooking.

Pour teriyaki sauce evenly over all ingredients, tilting the pan to ensure complete coverage. The goal is a harmonious arrangement that allows each ingredient to cook perfectly while absorbing the vibrant Hawaiian-inspired flavors.

Step 3. Drizzle Teriyaki Sauce Evenly

Cascade the teriyaki sauce methodically across your Hawaiian chicken sheet pan, ensuring every ingredient receives a flavorful coating. Use a measuring cup or spoon to pour precisely 1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce, distributing it evenly over chicken, pineapple, peppers, and onions.

Drizzle sauce from multiple angles
Aim for light, even coverage
Rotate pan while pouring to maximize distribution

Ensure chicken breasts are completely glazed, using a silicone brush to spread sauce if needed. The goal is a thin, uniform layer that'll caramelize during cooking, creating those irresistible golden-brown edges.

Don't oversaturate the pan – just enough sauce to enhance flavor and promote beautiful browning.

Tip: Tilt the sheet pan slightly to help sauce flow naturally across ingredients.

Step 4. Bake Until Chicken Golden

Transform your Hawaiian chicken into a golden-brown masterpiece by carefully monitoring the baking process.

You'll want to watch for key visual cues that indicate perfect doneness. At 20 minutes, check the chicken's surface: it should be turning a rich, warm golden color with slight caramelization from the teriyaki sauce.

Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm the internal temperature hits 165°F, which guarantees food safety.

Look for these signs of perfectly baked chicken:

Even golden-brown exterior
Slight charring on vegetable edges
Clear juices when pierced
Crisp pineapple chunks with caramelized tips

Rotate the pan halfway through cooking to ensure uniform browning.

The goal is a beautiful, appetizing golden surface that promises delicious, tender meat and beautifully roasted accompaniments.

Step 5. Let Rest Briefly

After removing the Hawaiian chicken sheet pan from the oven, let the dish rest for 5-7 minutes before serving.

This crucial resting period allows the chicken's internal proteins to relax, redistributing juices and ensuring each bite remains tender and moist.

During these few minutes, the meat's temperature will stabilize, creating a more even cooking result.

Place the sheet pan on a heat-resistant surface, like a wooden cutting board or thick trivet, and loosely tent it with aluminum foil to retain warmth.

As the chicken rests, its residual heat will continue gently cooking, helping reach the perfect internal temperature.

When ready to serve, the chicken will slice more cleanly, and the teriyaki glaze will have slightly thickened, creating a glossy, appetizing finish.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a busy weeknight cook or a weekend culinary enthusiast, this Hawaiian chicken sheet pan recipe offers a delightful solution for a quick, flavorful meal.

You'll find this dish remarkably simple to prepare, with minimal cleanup and maximum taste. The tropical combination of pineapple, teriyaki, and chicken creates a balanced, vibrant dinner that'll impress your family or guests.

Key takeaways include:

Quick 30-minute total cook time
One-pan convenience
Adaptable to dietary preferences
Packed with fresh ingredients
Easy to customize with additional spices

Pro tip: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.

With practice, you'll master this foolproof recipe and add a Hawaiian-inspired favorite to your weekly meal rotation.