Shio Koji-Rubbed Grilled Chicken with Lemon-Herb
Authentic Japanese technique using fermented shio koji for tender, deeply savory chicken with bright citrus finish. This Japanese-inspired grilling recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, shio koji, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.
Ingredients
- 800g chicken thighs
- 120g shio koji
- 1 lemon
- 30g fresh dill
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 800g chicken thighs in a bowl and mix with 120g shio koji, ensuring even coating; cover and marinate in refrigerator for 12-24 hours to develop umami depth.
- Step 2: Preheat grill to medium-high (375°F/190°C), then pat chicken dry and brush with 2 tbsp olive oil, adding 1/2 tsp smoked paprika for color.
- Step 3: Grill chicken skin-side down for 8 minutes until golden, flip, and cook for 6-7 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), finishing with 30g chopped fresh dill and 1 thinly sliced lemon for brightness.








