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Tasty Garlic Miso Chicken Airfry

As seen in Satisfying Entrées for Every Table.

Get big Japanese flavors fast with garlic miso chicken in just 25 minutes. Chicken thighs get tossed in a simple glaze—think white miso, garlic, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and mirin—then straight into the air fryer. No need to wait for a marinade. The result? Really tender chicken with a crispy outside, finished off with fresh cilantro and green onions. Pop it under the broiler at the end for even more crunch. Pair with fluffy rice and veggies for an easy, umami-packed meal.

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Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Sat, 07 Jun 2025 14:27:57 GMT
Chicken covered in a glossy sauce sits on a plate. Save Pin
Chicken covered in a glossy sauce sits on a plate. | foodthingle.com

When my evenings are rushed but I want something super tasty, this garlic miso chicken hits the spot. Each thigh gets wrapped in a rich garlicky miso hug, so it’s packed with deep, sweet-savory flavor. No fancy tools or waiting around—just homey Japanese flavors ready in a flash.

The very first time I made this, the whole house smelled amazing and everyone came running to the kitchen. Now it’s a regular in our house because nobody ever gets tired of it—even me.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Minced garlic: makes everything super fragrant and flavorful—grab fresh cloves for the best punch
  • Green onions, chopped: brighten things up and look pretty—pick ones that are crisp and super green
  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs: stay moist and tender all the way through
  • White miso paste: gives a hearty, savory depth—use good miso if you can
  • Honey: brings a mellow sweetness that pulls it all together—light honey works great
  • Rice vinegar: adds a gentle tang—pick a clear and sweet-smelling bottle
  • Soy sauce: packs a salty punch—you can swap for low-sodium if needed
  • Mirin: layers in a subtle sweetness—real mirin (not the fake stuff) is best
  • Extra green onion and cilantro for finishing: toss these on top for a fresh pop right before serving

Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Finish and Dish Up:
Baste your cooked chicken with those tasty pan juices. Cut it up and scatter lots of cilantro and green onion on top. Serve right away and watch it vanish!
Air Fryer Time:
Pop the chicken in at 320°F for about twenty minutes. Flip them over halfway through, so they brown on both sides. Last couple minutes, broil to get a little caramelization and deeper color. Check the inside hits 165°F before digging in.
Set Up the Air Fryer:
Grab parchment or foil to cover your air fryer tray. Place each thigh in a single layer and pour over the leftover sauce for extra juiciness.
Marinade Mash-Up:
Mix up honey, miso, mirin, garlic, rice vinegar, and soy sauce in one bowl until the sauce is smooth and thick.
Get Chicken Saucy:
Drop the chicken pieces in, making sure every part is covered in that creamy miso sauce. Really get in there so all the layers soak it up.
A plate of chicken with sauce. Save Pin
A plate of chicken with sauce. | foodthingle.com

The thing I love most is how the garlic and miso fill up the whole house with a cozy smell. Makes me think of all those comfy nights laughing and sharing food around our table.

Storage Advice

Leftover chicken? Toss it in a sealed container in the fridge. You’ve got three days to finish it up. For reheating, stick it back in the air fryer or pop it in the oven. If you cover it, that juicy flavor sticks around.

Swaps and Options

No mirin in your pantry? Just use some white wine with a pinch of sugar. Chicken breasts are fine too—just don’t cook them as long or they’ll dry out. Swapping soy sauce for gluten-free tamari is no problem if you’re avoiding wheat.

A plate of chicken with sauce. Save Pin
A plate of chicken with sauce. | foodthingle.com

What to Serve With

This chicken is good friends with a bowl of jasmine rice or some quick-fried veggies. You can throw in pickled cukes or a little miso soup for a complete dinner. All that tasty sauce is awesome drizzled over noodles too.

Backstory and Traditions

Both garlic and miso are always around in Japanese kitchens. White miso especially is pretty mild and makes marinades and sauces taste cozy. Mixing the two makes this classic-with-a-twist. Making quick dinners like this is a nod to how Japanese families bring old-school comfort into busy modern lives.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Can I use bone-in chicken thighs for this dish?

Bone-in thighs work too, but they'll need a bit more time to cook through. Just double check they're done with your thermometer.

→ What can I substitute for white miso paste?

No white miso? Yellow miso is a good swap, but expect a slightly bolder taste.

→ Is marinating the chicken necessary?

Don’t worry about a marinade. The sauce sticks right on the chicken and turns out full of flavor once cooked.

→ Can I bake the chicken instead of using an air fryer?

Baking totally works. Set your oven to 375°F, bake 30 to 35 minutes, flip once. Give it a quick hit under the broiler to crisp up.

→ What sides go well with garlic miso chicken?

This dish goes great with a bowl of steamed rice, a crunchy green salad, or some stir-fried veggies.

Air Fryer Miso Chicken

Super juicy garlic miso chicken made speedy in your air fryer. It’s packed with those bold Japanese touches and done in 25 minutes.

Preparation Time
5 Minutes
Cooking Time
20 Minutes
Overall Time
25 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Main Dishes

Skill Level: Simple

Regional Style: Japanese

Output: 2 Number of Servings

Special Diets: Lacks Dairy

What You'll Need

→ Main Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon minced garlic
02 2 tablespoons mirin
03 4 tablespoons minced green onions (around 4 stalks)
04 1 tablespoon honey
05 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
06 1 tablespoon soy sauce
07 2 tablespoons white miso paste
08 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

→ Garnish

09 Fresh cilantro leaves
10 Sliced green onions

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Brush the cooked chicken with the pan drippings. Top with cilantro and green onions. Grab some and dig in.

Step 02

After air frying, pop the chicken under the broiler for a couple minutes. This gives it a deep golden look and caramelized spots.

Step 03

Set the air fryer to 320°F (or 160°C). Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway. Make sure each piece gets to 165°F (74°C) inside.

Step 04

Lay out chicken thighs in one layer on the lined tray. If you’ve got leftover marinade, drizzle it on top.

Step 05

Cover your air fryer tray or basket with parchment or foil so cleanup is a breeze and nothing sticks.

Step 06

Drop the thighs in the marinade. Really get in there to make sure all sides are coated well.

Step 07

Grab a medium bowl and toss in garlic, miso paste, mirin, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and honey. Stir everything until the sauce is silky.

Additional Tips

  1. If you want to use an oven, heat it to 375°F (190°C). Bake the chicken for 30–35 minutes, flip once in the middle, then run it under the broiler at the end for extra color. Need more time if you use bone-in pieces. Always double-check doneness with a quick-read thermometer.

Essential Tools

  • Air fryer
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Parchment paper or aluminum foil
  • Tongs
  • Instant-read thermometer

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • This has soy because of the miso and soy sauce

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are best used as an estimate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 839
  • Fat Content: 25.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23.5 g
  • Protein: 120.2 g