Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven) (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Carmen Spillette · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·4.9 from 11 reviews

These delicious garlic miso chicken thighs made in the air fryer or oven are full of umami flavor.

The miso, mirin, and sake complement each other to give this miso chicken thighs the best taste. Air fried to perfection in only 25 minutes, this delicious and easy garlic miso chicken recipe is an excellent addition to your monthly recipe rotation. You will love this miso glazed chicken.

Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven) (1)

What I love about this Miso Chicken Air Fryer

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 garlic miso sauce, 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.

I love creating versatile marinades. This chicken miso marinade's combination of garlic, honey, and miso works well with chicken,fish, and tofu.

Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven) (2)

What 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.

Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven) (3)

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs - You can use any cut of chicken pieces for this miso chicken dish. Skin-on chicken thighs **, skinless 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.

  • 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.
  • 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 clean up)
  • Heavy oven-proof cast iron pan (if baking in the oven)
  • Baking dish if using the oven
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven) (4)

How to make Miso Glazed Chicken in the Air Fryer

  1. Combine marinade ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, add the mirin, miso, honey, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix and add the chicken.
  2. Massage the chicken well with the miso sauce.
  3. Line the air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  4. Place the chicken in a single layer. Put all the miso glaze on the tray. This will ensure a juicy chicken.
  5. 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.
  6. 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 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.

Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven) (5)

How to meal prep, store, and reheat miso glazed chicken thighs

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.

What to serve with miso chicken

Miso chicken is best served with the following:

  • Steamed vegetables like bok choy
  • Sauteed spinach
  • Steamed jasmine white rice, brown rice, or quinoa
  • Garlic Braised Kale
  • Sesame Braised Cabbage
  • Easy Asian Garlic Noodles - ready in 15 minutes
  • Chili Garlic Noodles (ready in 10 minutes)
  • Shiitake Mushroom Fried Rice
  • Easy Cauliflower Fried Rice

Here are some other recipes you will love!

  • Sheet Pan Sweet Chili Chicken with Veggies
  • Easy Salmon Onigiri Recipe (Leftover salmon and rice)
  • Prawns Stir Fry - Easy 8 minute recipe
  • Crispy Asian Pulled Pork

Garlic 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.

What does miso glaze taste like?

Miso glaze has a rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor with a deep umami taste that is characteristic of miso paste. It adds depth of flavor and complexity to dishes such as fish, chicken breast, and vegetables.

Can I use rice vinegar as a substitute in this miso chicken recipe?

Yes, rice vinegar can be used as a substitute in this miso chicken recipe. If you don't have mirin, replace it with 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. However, keep in mind that rice vinegar has a sharper acidity compared to mirin, so the flavor profile will be slightly different.

What are some other chicken recipes that pair well with garlic miso chicken?

Garlic miso chicken can be complemented with a variety of chicken recipes for a diverse meal. Consider pairing it with a sesame oil flavored chicken stir-fry or a simple grilled chicken breast. The umami-rich flavor of the miso pairs wonderfully with the nutty aroma of sesame oil.

How do I know when the chicken is perfectly cooked to a golden brown in the air fryer?

To achieve that desirable golden brown color, cook the chicken in the air fryer at 320 degrees for about 20 minutes, flipping it halfway through. For an extra crunch and richer color, broil the chicken for an additional 2 minutes. This method works great for both chicken thighs and chicken bakes. Don't forget to sprinkle some chopped scallions for garnish!

What is the difference between white miso and red miso?

The most common types of miso paste are white miso, red miso, and light-colored miso.

White miso or shiro miso is made by boiling soybeans and a good amount of rice, which gives its light color, mildly salty and sweet taste, and delicate flavor. On the other hand, red miso is darker in color, saltier than white miso, and has a more intense flavor because of a higher amount of soybeans and longer fermentation.

This recipe uses white miso paste, but feel free to use whatever type of miso paste you have on hand. If you want a richer flavor for your garlic miso chicken thighs, use red miso paste instead.

Print

Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven) (14)

Garlic Miso Chicken

Print Recipe

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.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 2-4 1x

Ingredients

Scale

8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

4 tbsp minced green onions (4 green stalks)

3 tbsp white miso paste

3 tbsp mirin

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp minced garlic

Garnish

green onions

cilantro

Instructions

  1. Combine marinade ingredients. In a medium-sized bowl, add the mirin, miso, honey, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix and add the chicken.
  2. Massage the chicken well with the miso sauce.
  3. Line the air fryer tray or basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  4. Place the chicken in a single layer. Put all the miso glaze on the tray. This will ensure a juicy chicken.
  5. 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.
  6. Baste it with leftover pan juices, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

OVEN - 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.

  • Author: Carmen
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: mains
  • Method: air fryer
  • Cuisine: asian

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Skip the bottled stuff! Make my easy teriyaki sauce. It is the most versatile, probably most famous Asian misosauce in the world. To cut time, use bottled teriyaki sauce.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Allaine

    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

    Reply

  2. Juan Carlos

    Unbelievable 😍😍😍😍

    Reply

  3. jing

    How do you broil with an air fryer?

    Reply

    • Carmen Spillette

      My air fryer has a "broil" setting. This part is optional.

      Reply

  4. Kendal Ho

    AMAZING!! Really easy to make and so much flavor.

    Reply

    • Carmen

      Amazing!!

      Reply

  5. Alesha Burkina

    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.

    Reply

    • Carmen

      My kids love this dish too! Glad your family enjoyed it as much as mine did.

      Reply

  6. Vicky Yang

    Best Miso Chicken I've ever made, holy moly!!! Trust me when I say, TRY THIS!!!

    Reply

    • Carmen

      Thanks Vicky!

      Reply

  7. Jen Barkley

    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!

    Reply

    • Carmen

      thank you so much!

      Reply

  8. Cathy Chew

    I've made this dish 3 times in 2 weeks, my new favorite!!

    Reply

  9. Lourdes Moya

    Love this recipe. It’s become one of my staples!

    Reply

    • Carmen

      Thank you!

      Reply

  10. Kelly

    Carmen’s recipes are so delicious and so quick & easy! This chicken was so tender and full of flavour. Will definitely be making again!

    Reply

    • Carmen

      Awe, thank you for the support. This made my day.

      Reply

Delicious Garlic Miso Chicken Thighs Recipe (for Air Fryer or Oven) (2024)

FAQs

How to make chicken thighs taste better? ›

Spices like smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and thyme will make the most flavorful spice rub for your chicken, so make sure to always have your pantry stocked with some spices. Preheat a cast iron or non-stick pan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes with 1 tablespoon of oil.

Can you cook thighs in an air fryer? ›

Rub the chicken thighs with the oil, then coat in the spice mix. Put in the basket of your air fryer and cook, skin-side down, for 10 mins at 180C. Turn over and cook for a further 10-15 mins until cooked through and the skin is crispy.

How do you make crispy skin in an air fryer? ›

Place a sheet of parchment paper over the chicken skin and a flat ceramic plate to keep the chicken skins flat (if you are ok with them curling up, you can omit this step). Air fry at 350F for 15 minutes or until the skin is crispy. Season the Chicken Skin Chips (Cracklings) with your favorite seasonings!

Should I cover my chicken thighs when baking? ›

We don't cover our skin-on chicken thighs because we want that skin to get nice and crispy! To achieve this just follow these 4 simple steps! Place your chicken on top of a metal rack set inside a large rimmed baking sheet.

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400? ›

I recommend baking the chicken thighs at 400 degrees for less time to ensure the chicken thighs stay nice and juicy, vs baking for longer at 350 degrees and running the risk of drying them out.

What tenderizes chicken thighs? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

Do chicken thighs get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

Unlike chicken breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks actually become more tender the longer they cook. That's because of their makeup. Dark meat has an abundant amount of connective tissue, which dissolves into gelatin as the meat cooks, rendering it juicy and tender.

What Cannot be cooked in air fryer? ›

7 Foods You Should Never Cook In Your Air Fryer
  1. Wet Batters. Those beer-battered onion rings, fries, fish cutlets, plus tempura veggies and more are not well suited for a crisp in the air fryer. ...
  2. Cheesy Items. ...
  3. Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  4. Baked Goods. ...
  5. Greens. ...
  6. Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  7. Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

What is the trick for using an air fryer? ›

You can get the most out of your air fryer or oven with air frying capabilities when you use the following air frying tips and tricks.
  • Preheat. ...
  • Avoid using too much cooking spray. ...
  • Consider rack placement. ...
  • Adjust cooking time. ...
  • Don't use too much oil. ...
  • Use a perforated tray or basket. ...
  • Place a baking tray on the rack below.

Can I use air fryer instead of oven? ›

You can use your air fryer to cook recipes that have instructions for cooking in the oven. Because the heat in the air fryer is more intense than a standard oven, reduce the suggested temperature by 25ºF to 50ºF and cut the time by roughly 20%.

Is an air fryer or oven better for Crispier? ›

An air fryer rapidly circulates heated air throughout the cooking cavity, helping to remove surface moisture from food and create a crispy exterior. Conventional, non-convection ovens use heating elements on the top and bottom of the cooking cavity, leaving the air fairly static.

Why is my air fryer oven not crispy? ›

If the food has a crumbly or floury outside texture, try spraying it with a little bit more oil. If you're making air fried food from scratch, spray your homemade items with a light coating of oil (too much and the food won't get crispy) and arrange foods so the hot air circulates around each piece as much as possible.

Why do chefs prefer chicken thighs? ›

Most chefs agree that chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful than breasts.

Is it better to cook chicken thighs high or low? ›

If you get impatient and heat up your chicken thighs by cranking the temperature all the way up, your chicken will be too dry, which is the last thing you want. Instead, you want to keep your chicken thighs slowly cooking on a low temperature, thus allowing the meat to marinate in its juices and gradually tenderize.

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