This Miso Chicken is a savory, umami-packed dish featuring tender chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful miso sauce, then pan-fried to crispy perfection. It’s a simple yet satisfying dish that pairs beautifully with steamed rice and miso soup. This recipe uses an all-purpose miso sauce that can be made ahead and used for various dishes, making it a versatile option for weeknight dinners or special meals.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 5 pieces boneless, skin-on chicken thighs

• 5 tablespoons Homemade All-Purpose Miso Sauce (1 tablespoon per thigh for marinating)

• 1 tablespoon neutral oil (for cooking)

For the Drizzling Sauce:

• 5 tablespoons Homemade All-Purpose Miso Sauce

• 5 tablespoons water

For the Toppings:

• 1 teaspoon toasted white sesame seeds

• 1 green onion/scallion (chopped)

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: Prick the skin of the chicken thighs with the tip of a knife to help the fat render. Pat the chicken dry and place it in a resealable plastic bag. Add 5 tablespoons of the homemade miso sauce for marinating. Seal the bag, rub the chicken through the bag to distribute the sauce, and refrigerate for 24 hours.

2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large frying pan over medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil. Place the chicken skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken and let it rest.

3. Make the Drizzling Sauce: Wipe the excess oil from the pan, then add 5 tablespoons of the miso sauce and 5 tablespoons of water. Simmer until the sauce thickens.

4. Serve: Slice the chicken into strips and drizzle the miso sauce over it. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion. Serve with steamed rice and miso soup.

Nutrients (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 350 kcal

• Protein: 20 g

• Fat: 23 g

  • Saturated Fat: 8 g

• Carbohydrates: 7 g

  • Fiber: 1 g

  • Sugar: 6 g

• Cholesterol: 111 mg

• Sodium: 598 mg

This Miso Chicken is an easy-to-make, flavorful dish that will become a go-to in your recipe repertoire, with its tender, umami-rich chicken and savory miso sauce. Perfect for pairing with rice or a vegetable side!

Why This Recipe Works

The beauty of Miso Chicken lies in the umami richness of the miso sauce, which marinates the chicken, infusing it with deep flavor. The pan-frying technique ensures that the chicken’s skin becomes wonderfully crispy while keeping the inside tender and juicy. The all-purpose miso sauce adds layers of flavor, and the drizzling sauce brings a perfect balance of saltiness and depth, making this dish both comforting and indulgent.

The dish is incredibly versatile and easy to prepare, yet it feels like an elevated meal. It’s perfect for any time of the year and can be paired with a variety of sides. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a weekend treat, Miso Chicken is a dish that can easily become a staple in your recipe repertoire.

Key Ingredients and Their Roles

• Chicken Thighs: The boneless, skin-on chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe because they stay tender and juicy even after cooking. The skin crisps up beautifully in the pan, adding a satisfying texture to the dish.

• Miso Sauce: The homemade all-purpose miso sauce is the key ingredient that infuses the chicken with rich, savory flavor. Miso provides umami, while other components of the sauce bring in a balance of sweetness, saltiness, and depth.

• Neutral Oil: Neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil is used for frying the chicken, ensuring that it gets crispy without overwhelming the dish with added flavor.

• Toasted Sesame Seeds: These provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor, enhancing the overall dish and adding a nice visual appeal.

• Green Onion: Freshly chopped green onions add a burst of freshness and color, balancing the richness of the chicken and miso sauce.

• Water: Water is used in the drizzling sauce to thin it out slightly, allowing it to coat the chicken without being too thick or heavy.

How to Make Miso Chicken

This recipe is easy to follow and makes for a delicious and satisfying meal. Here’s how to prepare Miso Chicken:

1. Marinate the Chicken

• Start by pricking the skin of the chicken thighs with the tip of a knife. This helps the fat render during cooking, leading to a crispy skin.

• Pat the chicken dry and place it in a resealable plastic bag.

• Add 5 tablespoons of the homemade miso sauce for marinating, seal the bag, and rub the sauce over the chicken to ensure even coverage.

• Refrigerate for 24 hours to allow the chicken to soak in the flavor of the sauce.

2. Cook the Chicken

• Heat a large frying pan over medium-low heat and add 1 tablespoon of neutral oil.

• Place the chicken thighs in the pan skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy.

• Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes until fully cooked through.

• Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside to rest.

3. Make the Drizzling Sauce

• Wipe the excess oil from the pan, then add 5 tablespoons of miso sauce and 5 tablespoons of water.

• Simmer the sauce over low heat for a few minutes until it thickens slightly.

4. Serve

• Slice the chicken into strips and place it on a serving plate.

• Drizzle the miso sauce over the chicken.

• Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

• Serve with steamed rice and miso soup for a complete meal.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Miso Chicken (1 chicken thigh with toppings) provides approximately:

• Calories: 350 kcal. This makes it a satisfying yet not overly heavy option for dinner.

• Protein: 20 grams. The chicken provides a significant amount of protein, helping to keep you full.

• Fat: 23 grams. The fat content comes from the chicken skin, butter, and oil used in cooking, giving it a rich flavor and crispy texture.

• Saturated Fat: 8 grams. The butter and chicken skin contribute to the saturated fat content.

• Cholesterol: 111 mg. The eggs and chicken contribute to the cholesterol content, which is moderate for a main dish.

• Sodium: 598 mg. The miso sauce adds a significant amount of sodium, but it’s balanced by the other ingredients.

• Carbohydrates: 7 grams. The carbs come mainly from the sauce and a small amount from the chicken itself.

• Fiber: 1 gram. There’s a small amount of fiber, primarily from the miso sauce and toppings.

• Sugar: 6 grams. The sugar comes from the miso sauce and peaches in the dish, contributing to the overall balance of flavors.

Serving Suggestions

• With Steamed Rice: Serve the Miso Chicken with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice for a complete meal that’s filling and satisfying.

• With Miso Soup: Pair it with a bowl of miso soup to keep the flavors consistent and enhance the umami experience.

• Vegetables: You can also serve the dish with steamed or sautéed vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or bok choy for added nutrients and color.

• Pickled Vegetables: Consider adding a side of pickled vegetables to balance the savory flavors and add some acidity to the meal.

Conclusion

Miso Chicken is a savory, umami-rich dish that is sure to become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation. The combination of crispy chicken thighs and the flavorful miso sauce creates a satisfying and comforting meal, while the toasted sesame seeds and green onions add the perfect finishing touch. This dish is simple to prepare but feels indulgent, making it ideal for busy weeknights or special meals. Whether paired with rice, miso soup, or veggies, Miso Chicken offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, sure to please everyone at the table.