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Indulge in the perfect weeknight meal with sweet and salty roasted chicken thighs, bursting with umami flavor. These juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a rich miso glaze, creating an easy and delicious dinner that your family will love. Ideal for busy nights, this garlic miso chicken recipe ensures a flavorful and satisfying dish every time. Enjoy the delightful combination of flavors that make this roasted chicken thigh recipe a true crowd-pleaser!

Roasted Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs on Jennifer Cooks

Ah, chicken thighs. The unsung hero of weeknight dinners. They’ve seen me through countless hectic evenings, always delivering comfort and satisfaction. Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s near and dear to my heart: Roasted Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs. These sweet and salty beauties, bursting with umami goodness, are the epitome of culinary perfection. The miso marinade creates juicy, tender chicken, and caramelizesvto a golden brown, with a rich, sweet glaze that is to-die-for!

Miso paste, oh the wonders it brings to the kitchen! This traditional Japanese gem, made from fermented soybeans, rice, or barley, is like the secret handshake of flavor—a rich umami bomb that transforms even the simplest dishes into something extraordinary. Whether you're whipping up a comforting bowl of miso soup or crafting a marinade that’ll make your taste buds dance, miso paste is your go-to.

Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs on Jennifer Cooks

You'll find varieties like white (shiro), yellow (shinshu), and red (aka), each with its own delightful twist on that savory, slightly sweet goodness. The best place to hunt down this treasure? Head to your local Asian markets, where the shelves are lined with all kinds of miso magic.

But don’t fret if there’s not one nearby—many well-stocked grocery stores and health food havens have caught on to the miso craze, often stashing it in the international or refrigerated sections. And for the online shoppers out there, a quick search will bring a world of miso paste right to your doorstep.

Ingredients Used in Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs

Bone-in chicken thighs
Unsalted butter
White miso paste
Dark brown sugar
Soy sauce
Mirin
Minced garlic
Fresh ginger
Sesame oil
Fresh Cracked Black pepper
Toasted Sesame Seeds, optional for garnish

Essential Equipment for Making Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs

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How to Make to Make Sticky Miso Chicken

Step 1: Marination Magic
First, grab your chicken thighs and pop them into a large Ziploc bag. Now, let’s make some magic happen. Whisk together the melted butter, miso paste, dark brown sugar, soy sauce, Mirin, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper in a small bowl. The aroma alone will have you dreaming of dinner. Reserve ½ cup of this divine marinade for basting later.
Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken in the Ziploc bag. Seal it up and give it a good massage—yes, the chicken deserves a little spa treatment. Place the bag on a rimmed baking sheet, just in case of any sneaky leaks, and let it marinate for at least 2 hours. If you can let it sit overnight, even better. This extra time lets all those wonderful flavors mingle and get to know each other.
Step 2: Prepping for Perfection
When you’re ready to cook, take the chicken out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. This step is crucial because we want that sweet glaze to caramelize perfectly while ensuring the chicken cooks through.
Heat your oven to a sizzling 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side-down in a single layer on the parchment paper-lined pan.
Step 3: Roasting to Glory
Pop the chicken into the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Then, flip those thighs so they’re skin-side-up and baste with the reserved marinade. Continue roasting for another 20 minutes until the skin is gloriously golden brown and crisp.
For the final touch, baste one last time and roast for an additional 5 minutes. Your kitchen will be filled with an irresistible aroma that will have everyone hovering around, eagerly waiting.
The internal temperature of the chicken should be between 160 to 165 degrees—perfectly cooked and juicy.
Step 4: Serve and Savor
Now, it’s time to dig in. Serve these Roasted Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs with your favorite sides and watch as smiles light up the room.
Enjoy every bite, and don’t forget to share the love and the recipe with friends and family.

Add some coconut rice and colorful vegetables to complete the meal. The miso glaze on these chicken thighs will also work wonders on chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks, or even chicken leg quarters. The combination of garlic and miso flavor creates a savory and rich taste that’s hard to resist.

Imagine serving these garlic miso chicken thighs alongside sushi rice or a fresh salad with a pinch of salt and lime juice. The crispy skin and juicy meat make it a top contender in the list of favorite recipes.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different cuts of chicken, such as skin-on chicken thighs, skinless chicken thighs, or boneless skinless chicken breast. They all absorb the miso marinade beautifully.

A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or finely chopped spring onions (green onions) as a garnish adds a delightful crunch and freshness.

The miso flavor, derived from fermented soybean paste, is a staple in many Asian markets and a fantastic addition to any chicken cook’s repertoire.

So, the next time you’re thinking about what to make for dinner, give this garlic miso chicken recipe a try. Whether you’re using a whole chicken, chicken wings, or even chicken legs, the miso glaze will bring a delicious twist to your meal.

And don’t forget to keep an instant-read thermometer handy to check the internal temperature of the meat. Happy cooking!

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few dishes that a great served with Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs.

More Weeknight Dinner Recipes

Please let me know how these Roasted Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs turn out for you in the comments! I love hearing from you!

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Roasted Sticky Miso Chicken Thighs

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: Dinner Recipe, Easy Weeknight Meal

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 45

Marination Time: 2

Total Time: 2 50

Servings: to 6

Calories: 1049kcal

Author: Jennifer Locklin

Equipment

Ingredients

3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs

Marinade:

4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
½ cup white miso paste
¾ cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
¼ cup Mirin
1 clove minced garlic
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds optional, for garnish
½ teaspoon black pepper

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1: Marination Magic

First, grab your chicken thighs and pop them into a large Ziploc bag. Now, let’s make some magic happen. Whisk together the melted butter, miso paste, dark brown sugar, soy sauce, Mirin, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper in a small bowl. The aroma alone will have you dreaming of dinner. Reserve ½ cup of this divine marinade for basting later.
Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken in the Ziploc bag. Seal it up and give it a good massage—yes, the chicken deserves a little spa treatment. Place the bag on a rimmed baking sheet, just in case of any sneaky leaks, and let it marinate for at least 2 hours. If you can let it sit overnight, even better. This extra time lets all those wonderful flavors mingle and get to know each other.

Step 2: Prepping for Perfection

When you’re ready to cook, take the chicken out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature. This step is crucial because we want that sweet glaze to caramelize perfectly while ensuring the chicken cooks through.
Heat your oven to a sizzling 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side-down in a single layer on the parchment paper-lined pan.

Step 3: Roasting to Glory

Pop the chicken into the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Then, flip those thighs so they’re skin-side-up and baste with the reserved marinade. Continue roasting for another 20 minutes until the skin is gloriously golden brown and crisp.
For the final touch, baste one last time and roast for an additional 5 minutes. Your kitchen will be filled with an irresistible aroma that will have everyone hovering around, eagerly waiting. The internal temperature of the chicken should be between 160 to 165 degrees—perfectly cooked and juicy.
Garnish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds on each piece, if desired.

Nutrition

*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.