I’ve been dreaming about a dish that combines sweet pineapple, savory ham, and juicy chicken into one irresistible meal. This Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake isn’t just another chicken recipe—it’s a tropical vacation on your dinner plate. The magic happens when that brown sugar-pineapple glaze caramelizes in the oven, creating flavors that’ll make your family think you’ve been cooking all day. Want to know the best part? It’s actually ridiculously simple to make, and I’m about to show you how.
Why You’ll Love this Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake
When you’re looking for a dinner that checks all the boxes, this Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake hits every mark.
I’m talking about that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that dance across your taste buds. The brown sugar and pineapple create a glaze that caramelizes beautifully, while the ham adds a salty contrast that’s absolutely mouthwatering.
Can you imagine how amazing your kitchen will smell? Plus, it’s basically a one-pan wonder.
Prep takes minutes, then your oven does all the work. Busy weeknight? No problem. Company coming over? They’ll think you slaved away all day.
What Ingredients are in Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake?
This tropical-inspired bake requires just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients that create magic when combined in your oven.
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 8 slices of ham
- 1 can pineapple chunks (drained, but reserve 1/4 cup juice)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice (from the can)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Optional: green onions for garnish
- Optional: cooked rice for serving
For the best flavor, try to find a good quality ham and make sure your pineapple is packed in juice rather than syrup—this keeps the dish from becoming overly sweet and lets the savory elements shine through.
How to Make this Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F while you prepare the other ingredients. This temperature gives us the perfect balance of cook time and caramelization for our sweet glaze.
Step 2: Wrap the Chicken
Take your 4 boneless chicken breasts and wrap each one with 2 slices of ham.
The ham adds a lovely saltiness that balances the sweet elements and helps keep the chicken moist during baking.
Step 3: Arrange in Baking Dish
Place your ham-wrapped chicken breasts in a baking dish, making sure they’re not overcrowded.
A little breathing room helps everything cook more evenly.
Step 4: Add the Pineapple
Sprinkle the drained pineapple chunks over and around the chicken.
Remember to reserve 1/4 cup of the pineapple juice for your sauce—that sweet, tangy liquid is liquid gold for our glaze.
Step 5: Make the Sweet Glaze
In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch until smooth.
This combination creates a sauce that thickens beautifully while baking.
Step 6: Pour Sauce Over Chicken
Pour your sweet-savory glaze evenly over the chicken, ham, and pineapple.
Don’t worry if it looks a bit thin at this stage—the magic happens in the oven.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
During this time, the sauce will thicken and develop into a gorgeous, sticky glaze that coats everything in tropical sweetness.
Using a premium cookware set can help ensure even heat distribution and perfect results for this delicious Hawaiian-inspired dish.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
If desired, garnish with sliced green onions for a pop of color and fresh flavor.
Serving this over rice? Even better—it soaks up all that heavenly sauce.
What to Serve with Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake
This tropical-sweet dinner deserves perfect accompaniments to round out your meal. Fluffy white rice or coconut rice makes an ideal base, soaking up all that luscious brown sugar-pineapple sauce.
For something green, a simple Asian slaw with rice vinegar dressing or steamed broccoli provides a fresh contrast to the rich flavors.
Dinner rolls are great for mopping up extra sauce—because letting any of that glaze go to waste would be criminal.
For beverages, try an ice-cold pineapple iced tea or a light lager beer that won’t overpower the sweet-savory balance.
This crowd-pleaser works beautifully for dinner but also reheats wonderfully for lunch the next day.
The whole spread comes together quickly, giving you a mini Hawaiian getaway right at your dining table.
Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake Substitutions and Variations
Looking to tweak this tropical delight? Here are some simple swaps and creative spins:
- Protein Options: Turkey breast works beautifully instead of chicken. For a budget option, boneless thighs offer more flavor.
- Ham Alternatives: Prosciutto or even bacon can replace the ham. Vegetarians can use smoked tofu slices.
- Make It Healthier: Reduce brown sugar to 1/4 cup or substitute with maple syrup or honey. Fresh pineapple chunks beat canned any day.
- Dietary Needs: For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. The recipe is naturally dairy-free.
- Flavor Boosters: Add a minced jalapeño for heat, grated ginger for zing, or red pepper flakes for a spicy-sweet balance.
- Colorful Add-ins: Red bell peppers, edamame, or water chestnuts add crunch and visual appeal.
- Tropical Garnishes: Beyond green onions, try toasted coconut flakes or chopped macadamia nuts for extra island vibes.
Leftovers and Storage for this Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake
This tropical delight might taste even better the next day as the flavors meld together! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For freezing, portion the chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. The texture of the pineapple might change slightly, but the flavor remains delicious.
When reheating, add a splash of pineapple juice or water to prevent the sauce from drying out. Microwave on medium power with a loose cover, or reheat in the oven at 325°F until warmed through (about 15 minutes).
For meal prep magic, slice leftover chicken and serve it over salad greens for a quick lunch. The sweet glaze doubles as a fantastic dressing!
Final Thoughts
This Sweet-Hawaiian Chicken Ham Bake brings together the best of comfort food with a tropical twist. The combination of savory ham, tender chicken, and sweet pineapple creates a perfect harmony of flavors that transport you straight to island time.
What makes this dish truly special is how the brown sugar and pineapple juice transform into a caramelized glaze that coats every bite with just the right balance of sweet and savory.
It’s the perfect dinner solution for busy weeknights when you need something that feels special without hours of work. Simply assemble, bake, and let the oven work its magic while the delicious aroma fills your home and brings everyone to the table.
