Tropical Chicken Recipe: A Hawaiian Feast

Why You’ll Love This this Tropical Chicken

This tropical chicken transforms ordinary weeknight dinner into something that feels like vacation on a plate, with juicy pineapple rings and citrus slices melting into gooey mozzarella right on top of perfectly browned chicken.

The whole thing comes together in one skillet – because who’s time for a million dirty dishes when you’re dreaming of palm trees and sandy beaches.

Plus, that orange-pineapple pan sauce situation is basically liquid sunshine that turns regular Hawaiian bread into the most delicious little throne for your tropical masterpiece.

Ingredients List

You’ll need just a handful of simple ingredients to create this tropical paradise on your dinner table.

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 2 slices pineapple
• 2 slices oranges
• 4 slices tangerines (wedges)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons flour

• 2-4 slices Hawaiian bread
• Fresh vs. canned fruit: You can totally use canned pineapple rings if that’s what you’ve got – just drain them well so your skillet doesn’t turn into a swimming pool
• Cheese swap: While mozzarella melts beautifully, you could try provolone or even a mild cheddar if that’s your jam
• Flour alternatives: If you’re avoiding regular flour, cornstarch works as a thickener too, just use half the amount
• Sodium watch: Between the cheese and any seasoning you add to the chicken, this dish can get a bit salty, so taste as you go

Step by Step Directions



This tropical chicken dish combines sweet fruit flavors with savory cheese for a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.

• Prep the skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Brown the chicken: Add chicken breasts and brown on both sides, about 1-2 minutes per side.
• Reduce heat: Lower heat to low and continue cooking the chicken.
• Add toppings: After flipping the chicken, top each breast with a pineapple ring, orange slice, and two tangerine wedges.
• Add cheese: Generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese over each topped chicken breast.
• Finish cooking: Cook for an additional 3 minutes until chicken is fully cooked through.
• Toast the bread: While chicken finishes cooking, toast Hawaiian bread slices until golden brown.
• Plate the base: Arrange toasted bread on serving plates.
• Transfer chicken: Remove cooked chicken breasts from skillet and place on top of toast.
• Make the sauce: Add orange juice and pineapple juice to the same skillet.
• Boil and thicken: Increase heat to medium-high, bring liquid to a boil, then whisk in flour until sauce is smooth but not watery.
• Serve: Generously top chicken with the tropical sauce and serve immediately.

For an even more authentic Hawaiian experience, consider preparing this dish outdoors using a premium BBQ smoker to infuse the chicken with delicious smoky flavors.

Substitutions and Variations

• Make it lighter: Skip the bread entirely and serve over rice or quinoa, because sometimes we all need to pretend we’re being healthy.
• Canned fruit hack: Fresh fruit not available? Canned pineapple rings and mandarin segments work in a pinch, though you might want to pat them dry first so your cheese doesn’t slide right off.
• Sauce variations: Add a splash of coconut milk to the sauce for extra tropical flavor, or a squeeze of lime juice for some brightness.

Additional Things to Serve With This Dish

This tropical chicken is already pretty much a complete meal on its own, but let’s talk about what plays nicely alongside all that citrusy, cheesy goodness.

• Simple green salad – Something light and crisp cuts through all that rich cheese, and honestly, you need some vegetables to balance out the indulgence.
• Coconut rice – Regular rice works fine, but coconut rice doubles down on the tropical atmosphere without being too much.
• Roasted asparagus or green beans – Quick, easy, and the slight char gives you a nice contrast to all the sweet fruit flavors.
• Garlic bread – I mean, if you’re already using Hawaiian bread for the base, why not lean into the carb situation completely.
• Fresh fruit salad – Mango, kiwi, and berries keep the tropical theme going while giving you something invigorating to cleanse your palate.
• Simple slaw – Nothing fancy, just cabbage with a light vinaigrette to add some crunch and cut through the richness.

Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)

This recipe looks simple enough, but there are definitely some sneaky spots where things can go sideways if you’re not paying attention.

• Don’t rush the browning – That initial sear is doing more work than you think, creating flavor and helping the chicken hold together when you flip it around later.
• Keep your heat consistent – Medium-high for browning, then drop it way down to low so the cheese doesn’t turn into a burned mess while the chicken finishes cooking.
• Toast that bread properly – Golden brown means golden brown, not “eh, close enough” beige, because soggy bread under all that sauce is just sad.
• Watch your sauce thickness – The flour thickening happens fast, so whisk like your life depends on it and don’t walk away from the stove.
• Let the fruit warm up – Those pineapple rings and orange slices aren’t just decoration, they’re getting all jammy and caramelized under that melted cheese.
• Use a meat thermometer – I know it seems obvious, but with all those toppings, it’s harder to tell when the chicken is actually done, and nobody wants rubbery or undercooked poultry.
• Fresh citrus beats canned – If you can swing it, fresh orange and pineapple juice makes the sauce way brighter than the stuff from concentrate.

Nutritional Facts

This tropical chicken dish packs impressive nutritional value alongside its bold flavors, delivering a well-rounded meal that’s surprisingly healthy.

• High protein content – Each serving provides approximately 35-40 grams of protein from the chicken breast and mozzarella cheese, supporting muscle maintenance and satiety.
• Vitamin C powerhouse – The combination of fresh orange, pineapple, and tangerine delivers over 100% of your daily vitamin C needs, boosting immune function.
• Heart-healthy fats – Olive oil provides monounsaturated fats that support cardiovascular health and help with nutrient absorption.
• Calcium boost – Mozzarella cheese contributes about 20% of daily calcium requirements for strong bones and teeth.
• Natural enzymes – Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion and has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Low carbohydrate – Without the bread, this dish contains only about 15-20 grams of carbs, making it suitable for low-carb diets.
• Antioxidant rich – Citrus fruits provide flavonoids and carotenoids that help fight cellular damage and support overall health.
• Moderate calories – Each complete serving ranges from 450-550 calories, making it a satisfying but not overly heavy meal.
• Natural sugars – The fruit provides natural fructose rather than added sugars, supplying sustained energy without blood sugar spikes.

Fun “Did You Know?”

Beyond its impressive health benefits, this tropical chicken recipe connects you to some fascinating culinary and cultural history.

Did you know that pineapples were once so rare and expensive in colonial America that wealthy hosts displayed them as centerpieces before serving?

I find it amazing that Hawaiian bread originated in the 1950s when Portuguese bakers in Hawaii created this sweet loaf.

The combination of citrus and cheese might seem unusual, but it’s rooted in Mediterranean traditions where sailors preserved foods using acidic fruits.

You’re fundamentally recreating centuries-old preservation techniques while enjoying a modern tropical fusion masterpiece.