Dinner

Sweet and Sour Sheet-Pan Chicken

Sticky-tangy glazed chicken, charred peppers and pineapple — all on one pan, with almost no washing up.

October 31, 2026 By Chef Clara 4.91 (144 votes)
Sweet and Sour Sheet-Pan Chicken
The Quick Takeaway

In a nutshell: This authentic asian-american sweet and sour sheet-pan chicken comes together in just 40 mins using simple whole ingredients. The chef's secret: a single layer with space between pieces is what lets the chicken roast instead of steam. Perfect for home cooks seeking a dependable, restaurant-quality finish with minimal effort.

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Cuisine Asian-American
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Sweet and sour sheet-pan chicken: glazed chicken with peppers and pineapple roasted on one pan. A tangy, easy weeknight dinner.

Key Equipment

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Chef's Pro-Tips

  • Give the pan room: a single layer with space between pieces is what lets the chicken roast instead of steam — use two pans rather than crowding one.
  • Toss the chicken in cornstarch first: the light coating crisps at the edges and helps the sauce cling, instead of sliding off bare chicken.
  • Save half the sauce for the finish: sauce added before roasting caramelises beautifully, but a fresh toss at the end keeps the glaze glossy and bright.

Ingredients
4 servings

  • 1 ½ lbs chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 bell peppers, red and green, cut into chunks
  • 1 red onion, cut into chunks
  • 1 ½ cups pineapple chunks, fresh or canned, drained
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ⅓ cup rice vinegar
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce, for the sauce
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 green onions, sliced, for serving
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds, for serving
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Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Heat the Oven and Prep

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Toss the chicken pieces with the cornstarch, soy sauce and oil until evenly coated.

2

Make the Sauce

Whisk the ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and garlic in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.

3

Load the Pan

Spread the chicken, peppers, onion and pineapple on the baking sheet in a single layer. Pour over half the sauce and toss to coat.

4

Roast

Roast for 22-25 minutes, tossing once halfway, until the chicken is cooked through and the peppers are charred at the edges.

5

Glaze and Serve

Toss the hot pan contents with the remaining sauce. Serve over rice, scattered with green onions and sesame seeds.

Chef Clara's Kitchen Picks

Kitchen Essentials

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#2 in Baking Sheets

Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack

Warp-resistant aluminum for even browning, from sheet-pan dinners to cookies.

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500+ bought weekly

Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife

Razor-sharp Fibrox Pro blade that home chefs and pros both reach for.

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Amazon's Choice

TILUCK Stainless Measuring Cups & Spoons, 10-Pc

Stainless steel cups and spoons that measure precisely and last.

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Amazon's Choice

Mercer Culinary Locking Tongs, 9" + 12"

Locking tongs in two handy sizes for the stovetop and the grill.

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#4 in Baking Parchment

Amazon Basics Non-Stick Parchment Paper Roll

Non-stick paper for lining pans – easy release, easy cleanup.

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#6 in Cooking Spoons

Woodenhouse Teak Wooden Spoons, 10-Pc

Teak spoons gentle on cookware and built for daily stirring.

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Amazon's Choice

OXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set, 9" + 11"

Silicone whisks safe for nonstick pans, in two sizes.

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#3 in Cooling Racks

Ultra Cuisine Stainless Cooling Rack Set of 2

Stainless racks that fit half sheets – for cooling bakes and crisping roasts.

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Amazon's Choice

Umite Chef Stainless Mixing Bowls with Lids, 8-Pc

Nesting stainless bowls with airtight lids, from prep to storage.

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Best Seller in Hand Mixers

Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer

Six speeds with a snap-on storage case for the beaters.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — cut breasts into even 1-inch pieces and check them at 20 minutes, since breast meat dries out faster than thighs if overcooked.

Swap in tamari for the soy sauce and check your ketchup label, and the dish is naturally gluten-free.

Yes — snap peas, broccoli florets or zucchini chunks all roast well here. Add them with the peppers, keeping everything in a single layer.

Refrigerate for up to 4 days and reheat in a hot oven or skillet so the chicken re-crisps. The sauce thickens when cold and loosens again as it heats.