We’re obsessed with this recipe! Tender chicken simmers in a smoky chipotle-tomato sauce with tamari, garlic, and honey, then roasts on a sheet pan alongside juicy pineapple chunks for a sweet, tropical twist. Pile it all over fluffy rice with creamy avocado and a drizzle of spicy, tangy, restaurant-worthy bang bang sauce. It’s bright, simple, and seriously delicious!
As summer gets closer, I can’t get enough of those tropical flavors—think Caribbean-inspired dishes that balance spicy and sweet, packed with fresh pineapple and bold, zesty sauces.
And, true to form, I’m keeping things fuss-free. This recipe is a one-pan wonder—quick, easy, and with barely any cleanup. Ideal for hectic weeknights or effortless entertaining.
When I made this for my family, we all agreed—the flavors are top-tier. The inspiration hit after a trip to Turks and Caicos a few years ago. While there, we devoured tacos, burritos, and tons of dishes starring chicken, rice, and beans—all loaded with fun sauces and toppings. That perfect mix of smoky, spicy, and sweet really stuck with me.
This dish is my spin on a jerk-style roasted chicken I tried at a little local spot. It came served over rice with caramelized pineapple and a spicy sauce. I skipped the beans this time to keep things simple, but if you’re a fan, they’d be a tasty add!
It’s fun, full of flavor, and just a little unexpected. Hope you love it as much as we do!
Here’s the breakdown:
Ingredients – for the chicken
- Tamari (or soy sauce works too)
- Vinegar (I use apple cider vinegar)
- Honey
- Tomato paste
- Canned chipotle chilies in adobo
- Sweet paprika
- Fresh thyme
- Garlic
- Chicken breast or thighs
- Fresh pineapple chunks
- Salted butter
- Sesame seeds
Ingredients – for serving
- Steamed rice
- Sliced avocado
- Sesame seeds
- Fresh thyme (basil or cilantro would also be delicious!)
Bang bang sauce ingredients
- Mayo
- Sweet Thai chili sauce
- Garlic
- Lime zest
Tools
Just a blender and a sheet pan—that’s it!
Step 1: Prep the chicken
Arrange the chicken on a sheet pan—make sure it’s big enough to fit the pineapple too.
Step 2: Make the sauce
Toss everything into a blender—tamari, apple cider vinegar, honey, tomato paste, chipotle chilies in adobo, sweet paprika, fresh thyme, and garlic. Blend until smooth, then pour the sauce over the chicken.
Step 3: Bake
Scatter the pineapple chunks around the chicken. Top each piece of chicken with a pat of butter and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, then pop it in the oven.
The chicken bakes for about 25 minutes. As it cooks, the pineapple caramelizes, and the sauce thickens into something magical.
Step 4: Whip up the bang bang sauce
In a bowl, mix mayo with Thai chili sauce, garlic, and lime zest. Feel free to add a pinch of salt, pepper, or even chili flakes for extra kick!
This sauce is one of my all-time favorites—the sweet Thai chili sauce is the key to its addictive flavor.
Step 5: Assemble
Serve the chicken and pineapple over bowls of rice (cilantro lime rice would be next-level if you’re feeling fancy). Add avocado slices and generous spoonfuls of that creamy bang bang sauce. I always finish it with a squeeze of fresh lime!
Once it’s all together, you’ve got one insanely tasty bowl.
Leave a Reply