Easy Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken: A Flavorful Weeknight Dinner Recipe
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Craving a delicious and easy dinner that’s ready in under an hour? Look no further than this Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken! This recipe is a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, featuring tender chicken, juicy pineapple chunks, and colorful bell peppers and onions, all coated in a simple yet incredibly flavorful homemade glaze. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Sheet pan dinners are a lifesaver for those hectic weekdays. The beauty of this method is that you can prep everything in advance, toss it all together on a sheet pan, and bake until cooked to perfection. It truly doesn’t get much easier than that!
With sheet pan recipes, you can create a well-rounded meal for the entire family with minimal effort and fewer dishes to wash. It’s a win-win situation that allows you to enjoy a home-cooked meal without the stress and hassle.
So, the next time you’re searching for a quick and tasty weeknight dinner, give this easy Hawaiian chicken recipe a try. You’ll be rewarded with a scrumptious and satisfying meal that requires minimal cleanup. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors!
Key Ingredients for Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
The success of this Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken recipe lies in the quality and combination of its ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need to create this flavorful dish:
- Chicken: The foundation of this recipe is boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes. This ensures even cooking and makes it easy to enjoy.
- Peppers: For a vibrant and colorful dish, use a combination of red and yellow bell peppers. They add a touch of sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Remember to rinse and dice them before adding them to the sheet pan.
- Onion: Red onion brings a slightly sharper and sweeter flavor compared to yellow onions. Diced red onion complements the other ingredients beautifully.
- Pineapple: Canned pineapple chunks offer convenience and consistent sweetness. The key is to reserve the juice from the can, as it will be used to create the flavorful homemade teriyaki sauce.
- Soy Sauce: Choose your favorite brand of soy sauce as the base for the teriyaki sauce. Soy sauce provides the savory and umami flavor that ties everything together.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness that enhances the juiciness of the chicken and creates a beautiful caramelized glaze.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, giving the sauce the perfect texture and consistency. It helps the sauce cling to the chicken and vegetables, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor.
- Seasoning: A simple blend of garlic powder, salt, and black pepper provides the essential seasoning for the chicken and vegetables. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your personal preference.
- Oil: Olive oil or avocado oil can be used to lightly coat the sheet pan and help the chicken and vegetables cook evenly without sticking.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
Now that you have all your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the simple steps of making this delicious Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken:
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This ensures that the chicken and vegetables cook evenly and reach their optimal tenderness.
- Prepare the Pineapple: Drain the juice from the can of pineapple chunks, making sure to reserve it. This juice will be a key ingredient in the homemade teriyaki sauce.
- Line the Sheet Pan: Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup or spray it generously with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients on the Sheet Pan: Add the cubed chicken, diced bell peppers, diced red onion, and pineapple chunks to the prepared sheet pan. Arrange the ingredients in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can lead to steaming instead of roasting.
- Prepare the Homemade Teriyaki Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of the reserved pineapple juice, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oil. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined. The sauce should have a slightly thickened consistency.
- Coat the Chicken and Vegetables: Pour the prepared teriyaki sauce evenly over the chicken and vegetables on the sheet pan. Use a spoon or spatula to gently toss the ingredients, ensuring they are all well coated in the sauce.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Storing Leftover Hawaiian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
If you have any leftover Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken, storing it properly will ensure it stays fresh and delicious for days to come:
Fridge: Allow the chicken and vegetables to cool to room temperature. Transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This allows you to enjoy it for lunch or another quick dinner.
Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Hawaiian Sheet Pan Chicken
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to elevate your Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken to the next level:
Choosing the Right Peppers
For the best visual appeal and flavor, use a variety of colorful bell peppers, such as yellow, orange, and red. These peppers not only add a touch of sweetness but also provide essential vitamins and antioxidants. Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite blend.
Preparing Ahead of Time
If you want to save time on busy weeknights, you can easily prep this Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken ahead of time. Simply follow the recipe instructions up to the point of placing the ingredients on the sheet pan. Instead, combine the chicken, vegetables, and sauce in a large ziplock bag and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, simply pour the mixture onto the sheet pan and bake as directed.
Serving Suggestions
One of the great things about this Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken is its versatility. You can keep it simple and enjoy it straight from the pan, or you can serve it over a bed of rice. White rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice are all excellent options. For a more complete meal, consider adding a side of steamed broccoli, a fresh salad, or a loaf of crusty bread.
Fresh vs. Canned Pineapple
While fresh pineapple can be used in this recipe, canned pineapple chunks are often preferred for their convenience and consistent sweetness. The juice from the canned pineapple also adds a significant amount of flavor to the teriyaki sauce. If you do choose to use fresh pineapple, consider adding a splash of pineapple juice to the sauce for an extra boost of flavor.
Explore More Delicious Sheet Pan Recipes
If you’re a fan of easy and convenient sheet pan meals, here are a few more recipes to try:
- Sheet Pan Burgers with Onions and Potatoes
- Sheet Pan Mozzarella Stuffed Meatloaf and Vegetables
- Sheet Pan Loaded Quesadillas
- Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables
Sheet Pan Hawaiian Chicken
Julia Pacheco
12
minutes
35
minutes
47
minutes
4
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