1-First Step: Gather and prep Measure all ingredients before you start. Pat the 1 1/2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. If some pieces are much thicker than others, pound them lightly to about 1/2-inch thickness for even cooking. This quick prep speeds up the cooking time and helps the marinade penetrate the meat.

2-Second Step: Make the miso marinade In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons white miso paste, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon grated ginger until smooth. The paste should dissolve into a glossy mixture. This mixture is the core of your miso glazed chicken flavor.

3-Third Step: Marinate the chicken Place the prepared chicken thighs in a shallow dish or a plastic zip-top bag. Pour the miso marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is coated. For a quick meal, marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes. For deeper flavor, refrigerate up to 8 hours. Do not go past about 24 hours to avoid overly salty meat.

4-Fourth Step: Heat the skillet Warm 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. The pan should be hot but not smoking. Using a wide skillet gives each chicken thigh room to sear and brown, which adds flavor and texture to the final miso glazed chicken.

5-Fifth Step: Cook the chicken Remove chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, and place the thighs in the skillet in a single layer without crowding. Cook for about 5 minutes on the first side. Flip the thighs and cook another 5 to 6 minutes. The target internal temperature is 165°F (74°C); check with an instant-read thermometer. If some pieces are thicker, add another minute or two. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, pour any remaining marinade into the skillet and spoon it over the chicken as it heats and thickens to form a glaze.

6-Sixth Step: Rest and finish Remove the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes to let the juices settle. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Serve the miso chicken hot over steamed rice, noodles, or with sautéed vegetables. A tip: if you are serving with garlic butter rice or simple greens, you can slice the chicken and arrange it over bowls for an easy family-style meal.