These juicy miso chicken thighs come together in just 25 minutes using a handful of pantry staples. You're going to love the sweet and savory miso glaze!
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What I love about this miso chicken thighs
Made with just a few simple ingredients, this air fryer miso chicken thighs dish comes together in under 30 minutes. And if you always forget to marinate your chicken, this recipe doesn't require any marinating! It only takes a few seconds to whip up the miso chicken marinade, and then you can rub it all over the chicken thighs before cooking.
I love coming up with versatile marinades. The combination of garlic, honey, and miso in this chicken miso marinade works well not only in chicken but also in fish or tofu.
If you love easy recipes like this - try Honey Gochujang Chicken, Ginger Chicken and my favorite Spicy Sesame Chicken. If you want to try miso on salmon - try this Miso Salmon recipe.
What exactly is miso?
The star of this miso chicken recipe. Miso is a fermented soy product made with soy and a mold called koji, and sometimes in combination with wheat or rice. It's a common ingredient in Japanese cuisine, and it's used as the main ingredient in miso soup, but also as a flavoring agent in many other dishes.
Miso has a ton of health benefits and a great umami flavor. It is not just for miso soup as it adds a lot of flavor which can make any protein delicious.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken thighs - You can use any cut of chicken pieces for this miso chicken dish. Boneless, bone-in, or whatever you have on hand. Chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks, or chicken wings.
**When using the skin on, make sure to wipe the chicken skin side up with a paper towel to get a nice crispy skin.
Miso Chicken Marinade
- White miso paste - Any miso paste would work. I prefer either white or red miso paste. Whenever buying soy products, always choose organic.
- Mirin - Great staple to have in your pantry. Mirin perfectly compliments the miso and sake in a lot of dishes. You can find this in your local grocery store. If you can't find one, you can substitute rice vinegar or lemon juice. However, use 1 tablespoon instead of 3 tablespoon as mirin requires.
- Rice Vinegar - You can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- Honey - Any sweetener would work. I prefer honey or maple syrup for this dish because it gives the perfect balance to the garlic and miso.
- Soy sauce - Use low sodium or tamari.
- Garlic - You would need at least 3 garlic cloves, but I like to put 4 to 5 for more flavor! Only use fresh garlic for this recipe. I wouldn't recommend garlic powder.
- Green onion - is a great aromatic. Use the white part in the marinade and the green part as garnish.
Equipment
- A small bowl or medium bowl
- Air Fryer
- Parchment paper or aluminum foil (for easy cleanup)
- Heavy oven-proof cast iron pan (if baking in the oven)
- Baking tray if using the oven
- Knife
- Cutting board
How to make Miso Glazed Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Combine marinade ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, add the mirin, miso, honey, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix and add the chicken.
- Massage the chicken well with the miso sauce.
- Line the air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Place the chicken in a single layer. Put all the miso glaze on the tray. This will ensure a juicy chicken.
- Air fry at 320 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. Broil the chicken for 2 minutes to get a nice crust/color. The internal temperature of the meat should be 165 degrees.
- Baste it with leftover pan juices, serve, and enjoy!
How to make Miso Glazed Chicken in the Oven
If you don't have an air fryer at home, you can bake the miso chicken in the oven.
Oven Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the baking tray with parchment paper. Give the garlic miso chicken a nice massage with all ingredients except green onions for a couple of minutes. Bake for 30-35 minutes flipping halfway. Broil for 2 minutes to get a nice crust and color.
Note that the internal temperature of the meat should be 165 degrees. Cooking bone-in chicken might require more time. Always use an instant-read thermometer.
How to store and reheat miso chicken
MEAL PREP - This garlic miso chicken recipe is fantastic for meal prepping. In the fridge, keep the marinated chicken in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Air fry and serve. Easy peasy!
STORE - Place the garlic miso glazed chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze them, place them in a freezer-safe container or plastic bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
REHEAT - I love to reheat chicken thighs in air fryer. Place it in the air fryer for 2 minutes until warm.
Another way is the microwave. Place the miso chicken in a microwave-safe dish and heat them on high for 1-2 minutes or until they are heated.
Miso Chicken - FAQs
Miso paste is made from soybeans, rice or barley, salt, and koji (a type of fungus) that is allowed to ferment for a period of time.
It is so easy to use miso for a marinade. Just combine miso paste, rice vinegar, mirin, honey, soy sauce, green onion and garlic. Air fry or bake and enjoy!
What to serve with chicken
Miso chicken is best served with the following:
- Steamed vegetables like bok choy
- Roasted vegetables like roasted broccoli
- Sauteed spinach
- Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or quinoa
- Garlic Braised Kale
- Sesame Braised Cabbage
Here are some other recipes you will love!
Typhur Dome Air Fryer
This is an amazing air fryer! There is no need to preheat, and it cooks chicken in less than 25 minutes. It is my new go-to air fryer.
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Garlic Miso Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Combine marinade ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, add the mirin, miso, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, white part of the green onion. Mix and add the chicken.
- Massage the chicken well with the miso sauce.
- Line the air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Place the chicken in a single layer. Put all the miso glaze on the tray. This will ensure a juicy chicken.
- Air fry at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. Broil the chicken for 2 minutes to get a nice crust/color.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees.
- Baste it with leftover pan juices, serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line the baking tray with parchment paper.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes flipping halfway. Broil for 2 minutes to get a nice crust and color. The internal temperature of the meat should be 165 degrees. Cooking bone-in chicken might require more time. Always use an instant-read thermometer.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Typhur Sync Gold Dual Digital Thermometer
Don't do the guessing game! Make sure your chicken is fully cooked. I love using my Typhur thermometer, it tells me exactly when my chicken is done.
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Carl says
It has potential. The chicken needs to soak in the marinade at least 24 hours to really set off the flavors.
Hai J says
The best Garlic Miso Chicken!!! 🤤🤤
PapaJoeD says
Very nice simple recipe. I will make this again however I am going to marinade the chicken for about 4 or 5 hours in addition to the massage method.
Carmen Spillette says
Great idea, sometimes I marinate it overnight so I have dinner done the next day!
Rachel says
The ingredients list includes rice vinegar, but it’s not listed in the directions step 1 with everything else.
Carmen Spillette says
thanks for catching that, I made the changes.
Chloe says
Coming back cuz i forgot to give stars 😊
Yannick says
This is the first recipe from your page I made, and it was delicious !
Greating from France !
Carmen Spillette says
Merci mon ami.
Sophia G says
First time trying asian miso thing, my star rating will talk for itself haha
Nicole says
I did struggle a little to find miso paste in my area, but this is worth it!
Carmen Spillette says
Miso is super versatile now. Have you checked out any Asian grocery stores?
Allaine says
i have been loving your miso air fryer recipes!! i just checked out your salmon recipe and im excited to make this miso chicken too
Juan Carlos says
Unbelievable 😍😍😍😍
jing says
How do you broil with an air fryer?
Carmen Spillette says
My air fryer has a "broil" setting. This part is optional.
Kendal Ho says
AMAZING!! Really easy to make and so much flavor.
Carmen says
Amazing!!
Alesha Burkina says
Absolutely fell in love with this Miso Chicken. I air fried the chicken and the flavor was out of this world and really juicy. My kids almost never eat anything new, but they demolished this !!! Can't say enough good things about this Miso Chicken.
Carmen says
My kids love this dish too! Glad your family enjoyed it as much as mine did.
Vicky Yang says
Best Miso Chicken I've ever made, holy moly!!! Trust me when I say, TRY THIS!!!
Carmen says
Thanks Vicky!
Jen Barkley says
Saw this on Instagram and I had to make it!!! This didn't disappoint, one of the best recipes I've had in a long time. Made this several times and there's littery nothing I'd change.
Bravo Carmen!
Carmen says
thank you so much!
Cathy Chew says
I've made this dish 3 times in 2 weeks, my new favorite!!
megins says
I haven't made this yet, but how are 8 chicken thighs only 2 servings?
Carmen Spillette says
This is boneless, skinless thighs. My husband and I can eat 4 lol. Try it and let me know.
Lourdes Moya says
Love this recipe. It’s become one of my staples!
Carmen says
Thank you!
Kelly says
Carmen’s recipes are so delicious and so quick & easy! This chicken was so tender and full of flavour. Will definitely be making again!
Carmen says
Awe, thank you for the support. This made my day.