If you love Asian inspired flavors then my Easy Miso Chicken Thighs is a recipe you must try. Simply coat the chicken in a simple miso glaze for an unbeatable umami flavor. This is a great speedy weeknight dinner that's sure to become a family favorite.
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This garlic miso chicken recipe is the perfect easy weeknight meal. It is quick and easy to prepare and cook, full of flavor and good for you too!
Hands on prep time is minimal, only 5 minutes. Then you place the tray in the oven while you get on with preparing any additional sides.
I will often make up the miso glaze and coat the garlic miso chicken thighs earlier in the day, leaving the chicken to marinate. This really adds to the intense savory umami flavors in the dish.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love These Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs
- Miso Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- How to Make Miso Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe - Step-By-Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Variations & Substitutions for Miso Chicken Thighs
- Tips & Tricks For Making Miso Glazed Chicken Thighs
- Pin This Easy Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe For Later
- What Do You Think?!
- More Easy Dinner Recipe Ideas
- Printable Recipe
- Easy Miso Chicken Thighs
- Reader Comments & Ratings
Why You'll Love These Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs
- When the chicken is cooking, you have plenty time to prepare any other sides and cook some rice.
- This is a chicken dish the whole family will enjoy as there is just enough sweetness in the miso glaze so the kids will love these too.
- Shred up leftover chicken thighs and add to salads, tacos or sandwiches the next day.
- Double the recipe up if you are feed a larger group of people.
- Try some of my favorite recipes using chicken thighs:
Miso Chicken Thighs Ingredients
Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.
Chicken - I've used skinless chicken thighs as this a juicy and flavorful cut of chicken. You could also use bone-in thighs, chicken legs or drumsticks, or chicken breasts. Just be sure to adjust the cooking times as needed.
Miso - I've used white miso paste as it has a milder and sweeter flavor compared with other types of miso.
Garlic - For the best flavor I use fresh crushed garlic cloves, however garlic puree can also work in a pinch.
Vinegar - I've used rice vinegar, but you could substitute with sherry or apple cider vinegar.
Honey- This adds a mellow sweetness. It's fine to substitute with maple syrup if you prefer.
Fresh Ginger - I like to add ginger for it's zingy flavor and mild heat.
How to Make Miso Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe - Step-By-Step
Find the full printable recipe below.
Make the miso glaze by combining the white miso paste, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and ginger in a large bowl. Mix well then add the chicken and coat thoroughly.
Place the chicken thighs on a large baking sheet in a single layer then generously coat each chicken thigh with any leftover miso glaze, making sure to cover all sides.
Transfer the baking sheet to a preheated oven and bake for about 25-35 minutes, turning half way through.
The chicken is fully cooked once the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F (75°C) or there is no sign of pink when you cut into the thickest part.
If you like your chicken to be a darker brown for best results turn the oven to broil (or grill in the UK) and broil on high for around 3 minutes until the chicken starts to turn a deep brown color.
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes, sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions if using and serve!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is miso flavor?
Miso paste is made with fermented soya beans and has an intense savory, salty, sweet, rich umami flavor that adds depth to dishes.
What is miso paste?
Miso means "fermented beans" in Japanese. Miso paste is a paste commonly used in Japanese cooking and is made with fermented soybeans. Other ingredients like rice, barley or seaweed are sometimes added.
Where can I buy Miso paste?
Most grocery stores now carry miso paste in the refrigerated section. It can also usually be found in Asian markets, if you're lucky enough to have one nearby.
What are the different kinds of miso?
There is a large variety of miso available, including white, yellow, red, mixed, kome and mame, to name a few.
White miso has a light, mild flavor compared with red or brown miso as it has not been fermented for so long. This makes white miso suitable to be used in soups, salad dressings and marinades.
Red and brown miso is fermented for longer so tends to be saltier and has more depth of flavor. This intense flavor is more suited to heartier soups, stews and braised dishes, but can also be used in marinades and glazes.
What is white miso?
White miso is a fermented soybean paste that has a salty, sweet and lighter flavor that red or brown miso pastes. This makes it ideal to use in light broth based soups and marinades like this one.
What can I use as a substitute for miso
Soy sauce is the best substitute for miso paste as it has a salty and savory umami flavor. However soy sauce is a lot thinner than miso paste which has a creamy texture, so you would only need half the quantity of soy sauce to miso paste.
A good substitute for white miso would be light tahini combined with some soy sauce or tamari added to achieve the right levels of saltiness. This would give the creamy texture you get from using a paste.
Is miso healthy?
Yes, miso is a healthy nutrient rich ingredient, as it is fermented it aids digestion and the immune system.
Is miso ok to eat raw?
Yes, you can eat miso raw, there is no need to cook it first. That makes it a perfect ingredient for adding to salad dressings.
What else can I do with miso paste?
Miso paste is a really versatile product which gives incredible depth of flavor. It can be used in miso soup, stews, braised dishes, salad dressing, glazes and marinades.
I use white miso in my Quick Miso Ginger Chicken Broth and also these Miso Glazed Aubergines.
Variations & Substitutions for Miso Chicken Thighs
- Swap the chicken thighs for chicken legs or chicken drumsticks.
- Try this easy miso glaze with other proteins like salmon and cod.
- I've used white miso, but for a richer umami flavor substitute for red or brown miso.
- I've sweetened the glaze with honey but you could also use maple syrup.
- Try adding some lime juice on the chicken before serving to freshen the flavors.
- If you love sesame oil add a tablespoon to the marinade.
Tips & Tricks For Making Miso Glazed Chicken Thighs
- Take the chicken out of the fridge around an hour before using to bring it to room temperature for faster cooking.
- For a more intense and delicious savory flavor or if you like your chicken to be a darker brown, turn the oven to broil (grill if you are in the UK), and grill on high for around 3 minutes.
- Don't walk away from the oven while grilling or you risk burning the chicken.
- Always let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving as this allows the meat fibers to relax and seal in the juices.
How To Serve Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs
These delicious glazed chicken thighs make an easy weeknight meal. I like to serve it with some soba noodles or steamed white or brown rice. For something a little different try my Coconut Rice with Lime.
To add some greens to the plate, try Charred Broccolini with Lemon & Chili, stir fried bok choy, or my Easy Buttered Kale.
How To Reheat Miso Chicken Thighs?
This is a dish that is best served fresh from the oven, as the miso glaze can very easily overcook and become bitter if cooked too long.
Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container and either eaten cold or heated up under the broiler the next day. Just take care to heat through until hot but no longer, otherwise the chicken could overcook and become dry.
Pin This Easy Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe For Later
What Do You Think?!
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More Easy Dinner Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe
Easy Miso Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 8 Chicken Thighs - boneless & skinless, approx 5oz/140g each
- 3 tbsp White Miso
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 2 cloves Garlic - minced
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ginger - minced
Optional To Serve:
- Sesame Seeds
- Scallions (Spring Onions) - sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (210°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Make the miso glaze by combining the white miso paste, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and ginger in a large bowl.
- Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Add the chicken to the bowl and thoroughly massage the glaze into the meat so it is evenly coated.
- Place the chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer so they cook evenly.
- Using a spoon or a basting brush, generously coat each chicken thigh with any leftover miso glaze, making sure to cover all sides.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for about 25-35 minutes, turning half way through
- The chicken is fully cooked once the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) or there is no sign of pink when you cut into the thickest part.
- Optional: If you like your chicken to be a darker brown, turn the oven to broil (or grill in the UK)
- Grill on high for around 3 minutes, watching carefully, until chicken starts to turn a deep brown color.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onion if using. Serve!
Janet Dinger says
This recipe is so easy.The whole family love it and has become a regular go to. Delicious nutritious and speedy.
Jo Keohane says
Thank you for your great feedback Janet - so glad to hear the family love this one!!