Name: Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs; 2 tbsp miso paste; 1 tbsp rice vinegar; 2 tbsp honey; 1 tsp grated fresh ginger; 1 clove garlic (minced)

Jump to Recipe

If you’re looking to shake up your dinner routine, Miso Chicken Thighs are about to become your new weeknight obsession. This dish is the ultimate fusion of savory, sweet, and umami goodness, with tender chicken thighs taking a soak in a miso-based marinade that does wonders for both flavor and texture. Whether you’re feeding the family or just looking to meal prep something extra delicious, these Miso Chicken Thighs will have everyone asking for seconds. Just wait until that golden, caramelized glaze hits your tastebuds—dinner will never be the same again!

Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

I absolutely love how this recipe keeps it simple with a handful of transformative ingredients. Each item here plays a starring role in creating the balanced flavor and irresistible color of Miso Chicken Thighs. Trust me, you don’t want to skip a single one!

Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless for easy eating and maximum flavor absorption—they stay juicy when baked!
Miso Paste: The core of umami; it brings depth and a slightly salty, rich undertone to every bite.
Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle tang to balance out the richness of the marinade and ensures the flavors pop.
Honey: Sweetens the marinade and encourages that gorgeous caramelization in the oven.
Fresh Ginger: Punches up the flavor with gentle warmth and a whisper of spice.
Garlic: Intensifies the savory notes and rounds out the overall taste of the dish beautifully.

How to Make Miso Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Make the Marinade

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together the miso paste, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic until smooth. At this stage, the fragrance alone will tell you this recipe is heading toward greatness—the paste will look golden and glossy, ready to cling to every inch of your chicken!

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Add your chicken thighs to the bowl (or pop everything into a large resealable bag if you like easy clean-up), and use a spoon or your hands to make sure every piece is coated in that luscious miso sauce. Cover and let it marinate in the fridge for at least one hour, but honestly, overnight does magical things and is totally worth the wait.

Step 3: Preheat Your Oven

When you’re ready to cook, fire up your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat is the secret to achieving that perfectly golden, caramelized finish on the miso chicken thighs while keeping the insides juicy.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Arrange the chicken thighs and all the marinade in a baking dish, making sure the pieces aren’t overlapping. This ensures even browning and helps every bite get beautifully cooked. Bake for 20 minutes, or until your chicken reaches 160 degrees internally and turns irresistibly golden. If they’re a little pale, switch your oven to broil and give them an extra 1-2 minutes for that final burst of color.

Step 5: Saucy Finish & Serve

Don’t forget to spoon any of the delicious sauce from the pan over your baked miso chicken thighs before serving. It’s glossy, savory, and packed with miso flavor—basically liquid gold!

How to Serve Miso Chicken Thighs

Garnishes

Sprinkle on some sliced scallions, a handful of toasted sesame seeds, or a scattering of fresh cilantro for color and crunch. These simple toppings make each serving of miso chicken thighs pop and bring a restaurant-style finish to your table.

Side Dishes

I love serving these with jasmine rice or fluffy steamed white rice to soak up all the extra sauce. If you want more color and texture, try a quick cucumber salad, sautéed greens, or roasted veggies. Each side brings out the unique flavors of the dish without stealing the show.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice leftover miso chicken thighs and add to bento lunch boxes, pile them into bao buns with a handful of crunchy slaw, or toss the tender pieces over ramen noodles. The rich miso flavor fits beautifully with so many meals beyond just dinner!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer any leftover miso chicken thighs into an airtight container and refrigerate. The flavors deepen wonderfully overnight, making the leftovers almost better than the first time around!

Freezing

These miso chicken thighs freeze like a dream. Slice or keep whole, wrap tightly, and tuck into the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when you’re ready for a quick, flavor-packed meal.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, covered, to keep the chicken moist. Microwaving works in a pinch, but a splash of water or extra sauce helps preserve that perfect texture.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! While chicken thighs are naturally juicier and a better match for strong flavors like miso, you can use breasts—just be careful not to overcook, as they dry out more quickly.

What kind of miso paste works best?

White miso (shiro miso) is mild and slightly sweet, which is perfect for this recipe, but you can experiment with red or yellow miso for a deeper, earthier flavor. Every type gives a slightly different twist to the dish!

Is there a substitute for rice vinegar?

If you don’t have rice vinegar, a splash of apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can work in a pinch. Just remember to start with a small amount and taste the marinade before adding more.

How long should I marinate the chicken?

You’ll get excellent flavor with just an hour, but for the deepest miso marinade magic, let the chicken rest overnight in the fridge. The longer it marinates, the more pronounced and savory the flavor becomes.

Can I grill the miso chicken thighs instead of baking?

You sure can! Toss them on a medium-high grill for 5-7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through. The sugars in the marinade will help you get gorgeous grill marks and even more flavor!

Final Thoughts

Honestly, once you try these Miso Chicken Thighs, they’re bound to become a regular in your weekly lineup. It’s the kind of dish that’s as easy as it is impressive—and you can dress it up or down to match any occasion. Grab your ingredients, and let’s get marinating!

Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 12 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Delicious and flavorful miso chicken thighs recipe that is easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs

For the Miso Sauce:

2 tbsp miso paste
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic (minced)

Instructions

Prepare the Miso Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the miso paste, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, and garlic.
Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken in a bowl or ziplock bag, add the miso sauce, and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Cook the Chicken: Transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish, arrange the chicken thighs flat, and bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F and turns golden brown.
Serve: Spoon any excess sauce over the chicken and serve.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Asian