This simple chicken dish is amazing because miso, fermented soybean paste, is a great carrier of flavors. Miso can be found in the refrigerated section in health food stores and Asian markets. You can make this dish with fresh ginger or prepare it with garlic cloves pushed through a press. I really can’t decide which I like better-so sometimes I make a platter of each for parties. In that case, do chicken breasts with ginger and thighs with garlic. If using garlic, push 4 large cloves through a garlic press and add to the miso-water mixture.

Miso Chicken with Fresh Ginger  Print This Post

Serves 4

1/3 cup white (shiro) miso

1 6-inch piece fresh ginger

4 large chicken breast halves on the bone (about 10 ounces each)

The day before you plan to serve, in a large bowl, combine the miso and 1/3 cup cold water and whisk until thoroughly combined, smooth and thick.

Using a small sharp knife, peel the ginger. Grate the ginger on the large holes of a box grater. Wrap the grated ginger in a paper towel and squeeze the ginger juice, about 2 tablespoons, through the paper towel into the bowl with the miso. Stir to incorporate.

Cut the chicken breast in half across the width of each breast. Add the chicken to the miso-ginger mixture and turn the pieces to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle the chicken liberally with salt. For a more gingery flavor you can finely chop the remaining ginger pulp, add it to the chicken and mix again. Cover and refrigerate for 18 to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Remove the chicken from the bowl, making sure some marinade remains on the chicken, and transfer to a rimmed baking sheet, skin side up. Bake for 10 minutes then put under the broiler, about 6 inches from the heat, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and the chicken is firm to the touch. (Be careful not to overcook.) Remove the skin, if desired, and serve immediately.