Garlic Miso Chicken Bento Recipe

I tried this garlic miso chicken bento recipe the other day and i was totally blown away by how the sweet and savory marinade made the chicken and rice come together for a simple, yet crazy tasty meal that felt just right for a chill night in.

I love my Garlic Miso Chicken Bento because its super nutritious. I use boneless chicken thighs, minced garlic, grated ginger, white miso paste, soy sauce, mirin, honey and sesame oil with black pepper.

I think this recipe gives lean protein and balanced flavors for a solid meal.

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs are rich in protein and healthy fats, making it super satisfying.
• Garlic brings a punchy flavor boost and offers immune-friendly benefits.
• Fresh ginger adds a zesty note, aiding digestion and reducing inflammation.
• White miso paste delivers rich umami, enhancing savory taste with nutritious fermentation.
• Soy sauce infuses a salty kick, balancing flavors and adding antioxidants naturally.
• Mirin and honey create mild sweetness that perfectly complements the savory ingredients.
• Cooked rice offers essential carbohydrates, supplying energy and creating a full balanced meal.
• Sesame oil imparts a nutty aroma with healthy fats, rounding out the dish with flavor.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, trimmed and patted dry
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 3 tbsp white miso paste
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp mirin
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups cooked rice (white or brown, whichever you prefer)
• Optional: 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• Optional: 2 scallions, thinly sliced for garnish
• Optional: a few slices of pickled cucumber

How to Make this

1. Mix the garlic, ginger, white miso paste, soy sauce, mirin, honey, sesame oil and black pepper together in a bowl until it all comes together smooth.

2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and place them in the bowl, making sure every piece gets coated well with the marinade. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes if you can.

3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot enough, add the chicken and cook each side for about 5-6 minutes until they are browned and cooked through.

4. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it thinly.

5. While the chicken is resting, warm up your cooked rice if it needs a little heat.

6. Spoon the rice into your bento box making a neat bed at the bottom.

7. Lay the sliced chicken on top of the rice and drizzle any extra pan juices over the chicken for extra flavor.

8. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds to add a nice crunch.

9. Garnish with the thinly sliced scallions and add a few slices of pickled cucumber on the side for a refreshing touch.

10. Serve everything warm and enjoy your garlic miso chicken bento, its perfect for a quick and tasty meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Mixing bowl for whisking the garlic, ginger, miso paste and other marinade ingredients together
2. Paper towels to pat the chicken thighs dry
3. A skillet to sear and cook the chicken
4. Tongs or a spatula to flip the chicken while cooking
5. A knife and cutting board to mince garlic, grate ginger, and slice scallions and chicken
6. A spoon to stir the marinade and serve the chicken and rice
7. A bento box or serving dish to neatly present the rice and chicken
8. A microwave-safe container or small pot to warm the cooked rice if needed

FAQ

• Q: Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
  A: Yes you can but the thighs are juicier and give more flavor so they’re usually the best option.
• Q: How long should I marinate the chicken?
  A: It works great if you marinate it for at least 30 minutes, though marinating for a couple hours if you have the time really ups the flavor.
• Q: Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
  A: Sure thing! Brown rice is a nice nutty alternative, but both kinds work pretty well.
• Q: What other veggies can I add to round out the bento?
  A: Besides the optional pickled cucumber slices, you can throw in some steamed broccoli or even a quick salad, whatever you like!
• Q: Can I meal prep this dish ahead of time?
  A: Definitely, its great for meal prep. Just make sure to store the rice and chicken separately to keep the textures right.

Garlic Miso Chicken Bento Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have white miso paste you can use red miso paste its bolder in flavor and still works great in this recipe
• Mirin can be a bit hard to find so you can substitute with a mix of dry sherry and a pinch of sugar to mimic the sweet notes
• If you arent a fan of honey or its unavailable, try maple syrup which adds a similar sweetness
• Instead of sesame oil you could use vegetable oil then toss in some toasted sesame seeds later for that nutty flavour
• Optional garnish like scallions can be replaced with chopped chives if youre in a pinch

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you dry the chicken really well before marinating it coz any leftover moisture can stop the marinade from sticking and really intensifying the flavor.
2. Let the chicken chill in the marinade for at least 30 minutes, but if you got the time let it sit for a couple hours or even overnight in the fridge to really let all those flavors sink in.
3. When you cook the chicken, preheat your skillet until it’s super hot so you get that nice brown sear; this not only makes it tastier but helps to lock in all the juices.
4. After cooking, let the chicken rest for a bit before slicing it thinly; this helps keep it juicy and makes it easier to cut.
5. Use the extra pan juices on top of your rice then sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds and scallions for extra crunch and flavor, and if you like pickled cucumber add it on the side for a cool contrast.