Grilled Miso-Marinated Chicken with Pickled Daikon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chicken thighs marinated in fermented miso and ginger, grilled to caramelized perfection with a crisp-tangy daikon pickle side. This japanese (gluten free, high protein) ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken thighs, miso paste, fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Japanese cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk miso paste, grated ginger, rice vinegar, sugar, and sake until smooth. Pat chicken thighs dry, then coat evenly with miso mixture. Marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill chicken skin-side down for 8 minutes until golden, flip, and grill 6 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: While chicken grills, toss julienned daikon with 1 tbsp rice vinegar and 1 tsp sesame seeds. Serve chicken with pickled daikon and optional extra sesame seeds.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Miso-Marinated Chicken with Pickled Daikon take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Miso-Marinated Chicken with Pickled Daikon?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Miso-Marinated Chicken with Pickled Daikon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Miso-Marinated Chicken with Pickled Daikon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Grilled Miso-Marinated Chicken with Pickled Daikon gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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