There’s something irresistible about easy Hawaiian chicken. It’s sweet, savory, sticky, colorful, and incredibly satisfying, all in one pan.
If you need a quick dinner that tastes like takeout but feels homemade, this recipe delivers every single time.
The juicy chicken caramelizes beautifully while the pineapple turns warm and golden in the oven. Add crisp bell peppers, onions, and a glossy sauce, and dinner becomes something everyone gets excited about.
Table of Contents
Why this recipe works for Easy Weeknights
- Ready in 30 minutes
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Sweet and savory flavor balance
- Family-friendly
- Great for meal prep
- Better than takeout
- Easy cleanup with one sheet pan
This easy Hawaiian chicken recipe is ideal for:
- busy weeknights
- meal prep lunches
- casual family dinners
- summer gatherings
- quick comfort food cravings
And honestly? It tastes even better the next day.
If you enjoy simple one-pan dinners, you may also love:
One Pan Chicken and Rice – A cozy, hearty dinner with comforting flavors and easy cleanup.
One Pan Baked Caprese Chicken – Fresh tomatoes, melty cheese, and juicy chicken baked together in one pan.
If one-pan dinners are your favorite kind of recipe, these chicken meals are worth saving too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs
- cut into bite-size pieces
Chicken thighs stay extra juicy, but breast works beautifully too.
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- ½ red onion
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- green onion garnish
Fresh pineapple is wonderful, but canned works perfectly.
Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Optional:
- sesame seeds
- chili flakes
Want to change up the flavor?
Try these next:
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Quick Easy Recipe – Rich garlic flavor, cheesy finish, and another easy dinner option for busy nights.
Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs – Fresh, bright, and packed with roasted herb flavor.
If you enjoy rotating chicken dinners through the week, both of these recipes are delicious additions to your meal plan.
How to Make Easy Hawaiian Chicken Step by Step
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Add:
- chicken pieces
- bell peppers
- onions
- pineapple chunks
Spread everything evenly.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a bowl whisk together:
- pineapple juice
- soy sauce
- brown sugar
- ketchup
- garlic
- ginger
- rice vinegar
In a small separate bowl combine:
- cornstarch
- water
Then whisk it into the sauce.
Step 3: Bake Everything Together
Pour sauce over the chicken mixture.
Toss lightly to coat.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until:
- chicken is cooked through
- peppers are tender
- sauce thickens
Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for caramelized edges.
Top with:
- green onions
- sesame seeds
Serve warm.
Tips for the Best Flavor
Want restaurant-style easy Hawaiian chicken?
Use these tips:
- Use pineapple juice from the can
- It adds amazing sweetness to the sauce.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan
- Everything roasts better with space.
- Broil at the end
- This creates caramelized sticky edges.
- Marinate for extra flavor
- Let chicken sit in the sauce for 20 minutes before baking.
- Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness
- They stay tender and flavorful.
Easy Variations to Try
One of the best things about easy Hawaiian chicken is how flexible it is.
Spicy Hawaiian Chicken
Add:
- sriracha
- chili garlic sauce
- crushed red pepper flakes
Hawaiian Chicken Stir Fry
Cook in a skillet instead of baking.
Hawaiian Chicken Rice Bowls
Serve over jasmine rice with avocado.
Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
Skewer and grill outdoors.
Hawaiian Chicken with Coconut Rice
Adds extra tropical flavor and pairs perfectly with the sweet and savory sauce from the Hawaiian chicken. The creamy coconut rice soaks up all that delicious glaze and makes the meal even more satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1 cup canned coconut milk
- 1 cup water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear.
- Add the rice to a medium saucepan.
- Pour in the coconut milk and water.
- Stir in the salt and sugar.
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to low and cover with a lid.
- Simmer for 15-18 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork before serving.
- Spoon the coconut rice into bowls and top with warm Hawaiian chicken.
The coconut milk gives the rice a soft, rich texture with light sweetness that complements the pineapple chicken beautifully.
Hawaiian Chicken and Veggie
For a colorful veggie-packed twist, replace the green bell pepper with light green broccoli florets, and add sliced golden carrots. Keep the chicken, pineapple, and sauce the same. Bake everything together for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the vegetables are tender. This version is sweet, savory, vibrant, and perfect served over rice.
What to Serve with Hawaiian Chicken
This dish pairs beautifully with many sides.
Best side dishes
- steamed jasmine rice
- coconut rice
- brown rice
- quinoa
- cauliflower rice
- roasted broccoli
- stir-fried vegetables
- garlic noodles
Great toppings
- green onions
- sesame seeds
- chopped cilantro
- red pepper flakes
- lime wedges
Storage and Reheating Tips
This easy Hawaiian chicken stores wonderfully.
- Refrigerator
- Store in airtight container up to 4 days.
- Freezer
- Freeze up to 2 months.
- Reheating
- Warm:
- in skillet over medium heat
- microwave in 30-second intervals
- oven at 350°F until heated through
- Add splash of pineapple juice if sauce thickens too much.
- Warm:
Nutritional Benefits
This recipe isn’t just delicious, it’s balanced too.
Benefits include:
- lean protein from chicken
- vitamin C from bell peppers
- natural sweetness from pineapple
- homemade sauce with pantry ingredients
- customizable sugar level
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking the chicken
- This can dry it out quickly.
- Too much sauce
- Can make vegetables soggy.
- Skipping broiling
- Broiling adds the delicious caramelized finish.
- Not thickening sauce enough
- Cornstarch helps create that glossy coating.
Easy Hawaiian Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Sheet pan or baking dish
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups pineapple chunks
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- ½ red onion sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a sheet pan or baking dish.
- Place the chicken pieces, pineapple chunks, chopped bell peppers, and sliced red onion onto the prepared pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger until smooth.
- In a small bowl, stir together cornstarch and water until dissolved.
- Add the cornstarch mixture into the sauce and whisk until combined.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables.
- Toss everything gently until coated.
- Spread into an even layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce begins to thicken.
- For caramelized edges, broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle with sliced green onions and sesame seeds.
- Serve warm over cooked rice.
Notes
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Protein: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fat: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
FAQs
Can I use canned pineapple for Hawaiian chicken?
Yes. Canned pineapple chunks work perfectly and are very convenient. Fresh pineapple gives brighter flavor, but canned pineapple makes this recipe extra easy.
Can I make easy Hawaiian chicken ahead of time?
Absolutely. It’s excellent for meal prep.
What rice goes best with Hawaiian chicken?
Jasmine rice is most popular, but coconut rice is also fantastic.
More easy chicken dinners to try next
- Chicken Pesto Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes – Fresh basil, juicy chicken, and roasted tomatoes in an easy comforting pasta dinner.
- Chicken Quesadilla Recipe Easy Weeknight Dinner – Golden crispy tortillas filled with melty cheese and flavorful chicken.
- Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipes Tips and Cultural Insights – Creamy, rich, and slightly tangy, Hawaiian macaroni salad balances the sweet glaze beautifully and makes this meal feel complete.
- Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables – Quick, colorful, and packed with fresh vegetables.
If you’re looking for a dinner that’s easy, colorful, flavorful, and family-friendly, this easy Hawaiian chicken recipe is hard to beat.
It’s packed with:
- juicy chicken
- sweet pineapple
- tender peppers
- sticky homemade glaze
And best of all?
It comes together in about 30 minutes.
Whether served over rice, tucked into bowls, or enjoyed straight from the pan, easy Hawaiian chicken is one of those dependable recipes you’ll want to make again and again.
