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Miso Butter Chicken with Braised Cabbage

A quick, one-pan miso butter chicken with braised cabbage that’s rich, savory, and packed with umami flavor. Tender chicken thighs simmer in a silky miso butter broth with caramelized cabbage, onions, and garlic—an easy weeknight dinner that feels cozy and elevated.
Print Recipe
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian Inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 head green cabbage thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow onion thinly sliced
  • 1 large carrot grated
  • 2 –3 garlic cloves chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup white miso paste
  • Salt and pepper to taste
For serving:
  • Sliced scallions
  • Sesame seeds

Method
 

Brown the chicken
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil if needed, then add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown on the outside (about 5–6 minutes). The chicken does not need to be fully cooked through at this stage.
Build the base
  1. Reduce heat to medium. Add the butter, sliced cabbage, onion, grated carrot, and garlic directly to the pan.
Cook down the vegetables
  1. Stir everything together and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage has softened, released its moisture, and reduced in volume.
Add broth + miso
  1. In a small bowl, whisk the miso paste with a bit of the chicken broth until smooth. Pour it into the pan along with the remaining broth.
Simmer
  1. Let everything simmer for another 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the broth reduces into a silky, flavorful sauce.
Finish and serve
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Top with sliced scallions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t rush the cabbage: Letting it cook down properly is key to building flavor. It should get soft, slightly jammy, and lightly caramelized.
  • Miso tip: Whisking the miso with broth first helps it incorporate smoothly into the sauce.
  • Chicken swap: You can use ground chicken or turkey if that’s what you have.
  • Make it a bowl: Serve over rice or quinoa to stretch the meal further.