Viral Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs (Air Fryer or Oven)

Name: Garlic Miso Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs; 4 tbsp minced green onions (4 green stalks); 2 tbsp white miso paste; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp mirin; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp soy sauce; 1 tbsp minced garlic; green onions; cilantro

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

What is miso paste made of?

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.

How to use miso paste as a marinade for chicken?

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!

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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

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Delicious and quick Garlic Miso Chicken recipe. Ready in 25 minutes. No need to marinade, combine and cook. Now, that's a perfect recipe for your weekly recipe rotation.

Author: Carmen
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2-4 1x
Category: mains
Method: air fryer
Cuisine: Japanese

Instructions

Combine marinade ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, add the mirin, miso, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar 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!

Equipment

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Notes

OVEN INSTRUCTIONS:

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.