Just the kind of dinner we all need: easy, quick, and absolutely delicious! Juicy, tender bites of Miso Chicken — made fun by placing on a skewer. Enjoy these sweet and salty bites of chicken with a delectable Miso Butter Glaze. So quick to make and so fun to eat! Serve for dinner or pack into lunchboxes.

this recipe

Air Fryer Miso Chicken Skewers with Maple Syrup

As far as cooking methods go, air frying is one of my favorite ways to cook chicken. Easy and convenient, the Air Fryer produces juicy, tender, perfectly cooked chicken — every time!

Air Fryer Miso Chicken Skewers is another recipe to add to the list. Easy and delicious, the combination of miso paste, butter, garlic, and maple syrup is hard to beat. Simple ingredients that add so much flavor!

Similar to Miso Maple Salmon Skewers, adding food on a stick makes it extra fun. Also, the corners cook up extra crisp. Skewering creates extra nooks and crannies as the protein is folded and stacked on top of each other. They soak up the miso marinade and cook up golden brown.

The Japanese flavours really shine through with a buttery miso glaze. It’s used as a chicken marinade. And at the end of the cooking process to maximize the flavors.

Serve Miso-glazed chicken recipe with white rice. Steamed broccoli or sauteed bok choy make nice accompaniments. A fast dinner option the whole family will love. They can easily be packed into lunch boxes the next day.

Other favorite Air Fryer chicken recipes: Gochujang Chicken, Chicken Bulgogi, and Bang Bang Chicken Breast.

What is Miso Paste?

Miso paste is Japanese fermented soybean paste. Frequently used in Japanese cuisine, it’s got a salty, umami punch of flavor. A small spoonful transforms even the most basic dishes. And contains numerous health benefits.

Most people are familiar with Miso Soup — a traditional Japanese soup made with Miso paste and tofu.

Miso can also be used in a variety of Asian fusion dishes and salad dressings. From Miso Glazed Salmon to Miso Garlic Bread and even Miso Chocolate Mug Cake.

Ingredients:

• Chicken Thighs. Skinless, boneless chicken thighs are recommended. They cook up fast and produce juicy, tender chicken bites. Swap with skinless chicken breasts or chicken cutlets, if you prefer.
• Miso Paste. Shiro Miso Paste, also known as White Miso, provides salty, umami flavor. The flavor base of the marinade and a fermented soy product. A good balance to sweet maple syrup.
• Maple Syrup. Adds deep, caramel-y sweetness. Balances the saltiness from the Miso.
• Soy Sauce. Another boost of umami flavor.
• Mirin. Sweet Korean or Japanese cooking wine. Gets rid of the gamey flavor of chicken.
• Garlic. Fresh garlic cloves adds a spicy bite.
• Butter. Adds buttery richness. So good with miso and maple syrup! Add last so the marinade doesn’t get clumpy.
• Black Pepper. Freshly cracked black pepper adds an earthy peppery bite.

Instructions:

1. Marinate chicken. Cut chicken into 2-inch strips. In a large mixing bowl, add the marinade ingredients: miso paste, maple syrup, mirin, soy sauce, and garlic. Whisk together until there are no clumps. Add melted butter and whisk again. Add chicken and mix until well combined. Cover and marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Skewer. Add marinated chicken pieces to skewers. For best results, make sure not to crowd or press them too tightly together, or it will take longer to cook. Discard the leftover marinade.
3. Air Fry. In a pre-heated Air Fryer, line the bottom with a parchment liner. Add chicken skewers in a single layer to the Air Fryer basket. Make sure there’s enough space in between for the air to circulate. Cook at 400F for 12 minutes.
4. *Fully cooked chicken will be golden brown with charred edges. The internal temperature of the meat should be 165F. Cooking time can vary depending on size and thickness.
5. Glaze. In a small bowl, mix the glaze ingredients. In the last 3-4 minutes of cooking, generously brush the glaze on the skewers.
6. Serve. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with rice and lightly steamed broccoli or green vegetable on the side.

PRO Tips:

• Preheat the Air Fryer. Like a regular oven, an Air Fryer also needs to be preheated. Ensures properly cooked, nicely browned, miso-glazed marinated chicken.
• Use a liner for the Air Fryer. To catch drips and spills. Parchment paper makes clean-up easier. Make sure it fits neatly in the bottom of the basket and the chicken is placed evenly on top — the edges can curl up and catch fire on the heating element at the top.
• Marinate overnight, if possible. If possible, marinate the chicken overnight. Marinating for a more extended period always produces a more tasty result. However, even 30 minutes can produce good results.

Essential Kitchen Tools:

• Air Fryer. An Air Fryer works like a mini convection oven to cook food faster, in a shorter amount of time. It also makes food very crispy and crunchy! Convenient and easy to use, an Air Fryer basket allows for good air ciculation. For marinated chicken, it cooks up juicy and crisp with browned edges.
• Skewers. Find skewers that fit in your Air Fryer basket – either bamboo or metal. Bamboo skewers are inexpensive. Metal skewers are reusable and dishwasher safe.
• Silicone Pastry Brush. To brush on the glaze. Optional but helpful. If you don’t have one, use a spoon to add the glaze.

More Air Fryer recipes:

• Air Fryer Baked Potato
• Air Fryer Panko Tofu
• Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
• Crispy Chicken Wings with Korean BBQ Dry Rub