The “Luau-Style” Baked Pineapple Chicken
This version uses a “Sheet Pan” or “Casserole” method that caramelizes the pineapple edges while keeping the chicken incredibly moist.
| Category | Details |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 25–30 minutes |
| Total Time | 45 minutes |
| Yield | 4–6 servings |
🍴 Ingredients
- 2 lbs Chicken (Boneless breasts or thighs, cut into 1.5-inch chunks)
- 1 can (20 oz) Pineapple chunks (Reserve ½ cup of the juice!)
- 1 Red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
- 1 Red onion, cut into wedges
- The Sauce:
- ½ cup Soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1/3 cup Brown sugar, packed
- 1 tbsp Fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 1 tsp Sriracha or red pepper flakes (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. The Tropical Toss
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken chunks, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and onions with a tablespoon of oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. The Liquid Gold
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and vinegar.
- Pour half of this sauce over the chicken and vegetables and toss to coat. Spread everything in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet or in a 9×13 baking dish.
3. The First Bake
- Bake for 15–18 minutes. The chicken should be cooked through, and the vegetables should be starting to soften.
4. The Glaze Finish
- While the chicken bakes, take the remaining half of the sauce and simmer it in a small saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Pour or brush this thickened glaze over the chicken and pineapple in the oven.
5. The Caramelization
- Turn the oven to Broil for the last 3–4 minutes. Watch closely! You want the tips of the pineapple and the edges of the chicken to turn dark brown and slightly charred.
The “Fresh vs. Canned” Tip: If you use fresh pineapple instead of canned, you’ll need to buy a small bottle of pineapple juice separately for the sauce. Fresh pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that can make chicken mushy if marinated too long, so only toss it with the chicken right before it goes into the oven!