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Delicious easy miso butter chicken cooked in a skillet with rich umami flavor.

Easy Miso Butter Chicken

A quick and cozy one-pan dish featuring juicy chicken thighs cooked in a rich, umami-packed miso butter sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 360
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds bone in or boneless chicken thighs Thighs stay juicy and match the richness of the sauce.
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons neutral oil (like avocado or canola)
  • 2 tablespoons butter Plus extra if desired.
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons white or yellow miso paste White miso is mild and slightly sweet.
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce Use low sodium if sensitive to salt.
  • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar Honey is preferred for balancing miso.
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced Garlic is non-negotiable.
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger Optional but adds warmth.
  • 2 to 4 tablespoons water or chicken broth Use as needed to loosen sauce.
  • to taste garnish green onions and sesame seeds For topping.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil.
  3. Add the chicken to the skillet, skin side down if using skin-on, and let it sear without moving for 6 to 8 minutes.
  4. Flip the chicken and cook for another 4 to 6 minutes, just to get it golden but not fully cooked.
  5. Move the chicken to a plate and reduce the heat to medium-low.
Cooking
  1. Add butter to the skillet, then stir in garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds.
  2. Add miso, soy sauce, and honey, stirring until it forms a thick paste.
  3. Splash in a bit of water or broth to loosen the mixture into a glossy sauce.
  4. Return the chicken to the skillet along with any juices. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and cover to simmer for 8 to 12 minutes until cooked through.
  5. Once done, the sauce should cling to the chicken in a shiny, buttery coat.
  6. Serve topped with green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

Do not rush the sear to maintain golden crust. Use medium-low heat to prevent miso from getting sharp. Add water gradually to avoid thin sauce. Taste for salt before seasoning further.