Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Meal Recipe

This vibrant Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Meal brings tropical island flavors right to your dinner table in just 30 minutes! Juicy chicken pieces, colorful bell peppers, red onion, and sweet pineapple chunks come together with tangy-sweet Hawaiian BBQ sauce for a quick, delicious meal that feels like a mini vacation on a busy weeknight. The simple prep and easy cleanup make this dish a perfect solution for hectic evenings when you want something flavorful without the fuss.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken: Either chicken breast or boneless skinless thighs work perfectly here. They cook quickly and absorb all those delicious flavors. Cutting them into cubes ensures fast, even cooking.
• Bell Peppers: Red and orange peppers add vibrant color and sweet flavor. They also provide excellent vitamin C and antioxidants.
• Red Onion: Adds a mild pungent flavor that mellows and sweetens as it roasts. The purple color also makes the dish more visually appealing.
• Pineapple Chunks: The star ingredient that brings authentic Hawaiian flavor. The natural sweetness caramelizes slightly while baking, creating amazing depth of flavor.
• Hawaiian BBQ Sauce: Provides that perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Using Primal Kitchen brand keeps it cleaner, but any quality Hawaiian BBQ sauce will work.
• Avocado Oil: Has a high smoke point, making it perfect for roasting at higher temperatures without smoking or breaking down.
• Lime Juice: Added at the end for a bright, fresh finish that cuts through the richness and sweetness of the other ingredients.
• Garnishes: Cilantro adds fresh herbal notes, while sesame seeds provide a subtle nuttiness and pleasing texture contrast.

Variations

Protein Swaps

Try using pork tenderloin cubes, shrimp, or firm tofu for different protein options that still work beautifully with the Hawaiian flavors.

Vegetable Additions

Add broccoli florets, zucchini chunks, or halved brussels sprouts to increase the vegetable content. Just be sure to consider cooking times – harder vegetables should go in earlier with the chicken.

Heat Level

Spice things up by adding a diced jalapeño to the sheet pan or mixing a teaspoon of sriracha into the BBQ sauce before coating the ingredients.

Sauce Variations

If you can’t find Hawaiian BBQ sauce, try a mixture of regular BBQ sauce with a tablespoon of pineapple juice and a dash of soy sauce.

How to Make Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Meal

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and give it a light coating of avocado oil spray. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup even easier.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Place your cubed chicken in a mixing bowl and season with salt, pepper, and avocado oil. Make sure each piece gets a light coating of oil – this helps the chicken stay juicy.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

Add your diced bell peppers, red onion chunks, and Hawaiian BBQ sauce to the bowl with the chicken. Use your hands to coat everything thoroughly – getting messy is part of the fun here!

Step 4: First Bake

Spread the chicken and vegetable mixture evenly on your prepared sheet pan. Bake for 20 minutes at 350°F. This gives the chicken a head start since it needs longer to cook than the pineapple.

Step 5: Add Pineapple and Finish Baking

Take the sheet pan out of the oven and add the pineapple chunks, distributing them evenly throughout. Return to the oven for another 10-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Adding the pineapple later prevents it from becoming too soft and losing its shape.

Step 6: Final Touches

Remove from the oven and immediately squeeze fresh lime juice over everything. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and sesame seeds for a beautiful presentation and added flavor dimension.

How to Serve

Rice Options

Serve this colorful dish over fluffy white rice for a traditional Hawaiian plate lunch style meal. For a lower-carb alternative, cauliflower rice works beautifully and soaks up all those delicious juices.

Side Dishes

A simple green salad with a citrus vinaigrette complements the sweet and savory flavors perfectly. For an authentic Hawaiian experience, add a side of macaroni salad.

Family Style

Bring the entire sheet pan to the table (on a heat-safe surface) and let everyone serve themselves. The vibrant colors make for an impressive presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Meal Prep

Prepare all ingredients up to 24 hours ahead: cut chicken, chop vegetables, and store separately in the refrigerator. You can even mix the chicken with the seasoning and oil in advance for added flavor development.

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making this dish excellent for lunch the next day.

Freezing

While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions for up to 2 months. The texture of the peppers and pineapple will change slightly upon thawing, but the flavor remains delicious.

Reheating

For best results, reheat in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. Microwave reheating works in a pinch, but the oven helps maintain better texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Meal brings the sunshine of the islands to your dinner table with minimal effort. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that pleases both adults and kids alike. The beauty of sheet pan cooking lies in its simplicity – one pan, incredible flavor, and almost no cleanup. Make this your go-to meal when you need something delicious but don’t have the energy for complicated cooking. Aloha to easier weeknight dinners!

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