Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs

Get ready to dive into a mouthwatering adventure with our Miso Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe. Imagine juicy, tender chicken thighs dripping with a miso garlic glaze that’s packed with flavor. It’s the kind of meal that everyone will love making it a perfect easy family dinner.

Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe

Our family has a serious love affair with Japanese cuisine, and we’re definitely not alone in that! I mean, who can resist that mix of sweet and umami flavors that just knocks your socks off? And guess what? It’s a total winner with both the grownups and the little ones. This garlic miso chicken recipe? Oh boy, it’s like the holy grail of family dinners.

Why should you make the garlic miso chicken?

1. Easy weeknight meal: Juggling a busy schedule? This recipe’s got your back. With straightforward instructions, it’s a breeze to create a delicious dish that fits seamlessly into your monthly recipe rotation. Marinate, put it in the oven, and enjoy a delicious dinner in 40 minutes.
2. Budget-friendly: Tasty doesn’t have to mean expensive. Chicken thighs are usually well-priced, letting you whip up a delicious meal without breaking the bank.
3. Family’s Best Friend: Family-friendly dishes are a lifesaver, and this garlic miso chicken nails it. With a blend of flavors that appeal to all ages, it’s a guaranteed hit around the dining table. Try making this recipe with chicken drumsticks for the little ones.
4. Nourishing: Seeking a meal that’s as good for your taste buds as it is for your body? Look no further. This recipe strikes the balance between deliciousness and nutrition.
5. Delicious: But let’s be honest – taste is king. And this recipe truly delivers.

As you can see this is a perfect recipe in every single way. Let’s see what we will need to make it.

Ingredients for garlic miso chicken

This recipe calls for only a handful of basic ingredients that are readily available and exceptionally budget-friendly.

• Skin-on chicken thighs. I like using skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe, but feel free to choose the chicken pieces you prefer, whether it’s chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts. Regardless of your choice, aiming for skin-on chicken is key. The skin acts as a flavor seal, locking in moisture and delivering irresistibly juicy results.
• Miso paste. A flavorful Japanese staple that adds a rich umami flavor to this dish. You can use white miso paste or red miso paste, totally depends on your preferences. Red miso paste has a stronger and more robust flavor due to its longer fermentation, while white miso paste offers a milder and sweeter taste with a shorter fermentation period.
• Fresh garlic. Just a couple of your regular garlic cloves, minced.
• Soy sauce. I use tamari because it is gluten-free and is a great choice for people who follow a gluten-free diet.
• Maple syrup. Maple syrup adds its natural sweetness to this recipe, striking a harmonious balance of flavors. You can use mirin or honey instead.
• Olive oil. 

See the full list of ingredients in the recipe card below.

How to make baked garlic miso chicken thighs

1. Prepare the Marinade:
   • In a bowl, combine the miso paste, soy sauce, cooking sake, maple syrup, and minced garlic.
   • Whisk the ingredients together until well blended, creating a smooth and flavorful miso sauce.
2. Marinate the Chicken:
   • Place the chicken thighs in a zip-top bag or a shallow dish.
   • Pour the prepared miso garlic marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is well coated. Massage the marinade gently into the chicken.
   • Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. For the best results, you can marinate the chicken overnight.
3. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Arrange and Bake:
   • Line a baking dish or baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
   • Remove the marinated chicken from the refrigerator and arrange the pieces in a single layer in the baking dish, skin side up. Keep the miso glaze.
5. Bake and Baste:
   • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40-50 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F (74°C).
   • Add a tablespoon of water and olive oil to the miso glaze, and mix. About halfway through the baking time, take the dish out and using a spoon or a pastry brush generously baste the chicken with the marinade sauce. This will help enhance the flavor, and make the chicken skin beautifully golden brown.
6. Serve:
   • Once the chicken is cooked and beautifully glazed, remove it from the oven.
   • Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving to lock in the juices.
   • Serve your miso garlic chicken thighs with some green onions and your choice of side dishes and enjoy the flavorful results!

The easy step-by-step recipe is in the recipe card below.

What to serve with miso garlic chicken 

While the chicken bakes and the kitchen is filled with the glorious smell of chicken let’s think about what we are going to serve it with. Here are my favorites:

• White rice: basmati rice, sushi rice, or brown rice.
• Asian pickled cucumber. This is a simple recipe yet filled with lots of flavors and is an absolute favorite with my readers.
• Gomae, Japanese spinach salad

How to store

If you have any leftovers of this delicious dish you can refrigerate or freeze it for later like this:

1. Cooling Down: Always allow the cooked chicken to cool to room temperature before storing it. This helps prevent condensation from forming inside the storage container.
2. Refrigeration: If you plan to consume the chicken the next day or within a few days, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 
3. Freezing: If you want to extend the storage time, you can freeze the cooked chicken. Place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container or resealable ziploc bag. Try to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label the container with the date for easy reference.
4. Portioning: If you’re freezing the chicken, consider portioning it before freezing. This way, you can thaw only the amount you need without having to defrost the entire batch.
5. Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy the chicken, transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator to thaw naturally overnight. 
6. Reheating: To reheat the chicken, you can use a microwave, oven, or stovetop. If using the oven, cover the chicken with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. If using the microwave, reheat it in short bursts to avoid overheating.

Variations

Air Fryer

• You can use an air fryer to make this recipe.
• Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
• Place the marinated chicken thighs in the air fryer basket and cook for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and crispy on the outside.

Chicken Wings

• ​Transform the dish into garlic miso chicken wings by marinating chicken wings in the same flavorful mixture.
• Follow the original air fryer instructions for chicken wings (adjusting the cooking time based on wing size) to achieve crispy, succulent wings.

Spicy Kick

• Give the dish a spicy twist by adding 1 tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce (or 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper) and fresh ginger to the garlic miso marinade.
• Marinate the chicken thighs or wings with the spicy miso mixture.
• Follow your chosen cooking method to create a zesty, spicy version of the dish.

More delicious and easy-to-make chicken recipes

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