Japanese Christmas recipe - Roast Teriyaki Chicken

Japanese people celebrate Christmas even though most of the population isn't Christian. You might be wondering what Japanese people eat on that day. It's common to eat a special dinner on Christmas Eve in Japan. Many young people go out for a special dinner at a fancy restaurant, so the well-known restaurants are usually fully booked on Christmas Eve.

At home, the kinds of Christmas dinner dishes change slightly year-by-year, but usually roast chicken or fried chicken and a Christmas cake are included. In fact, KFC restaurants around Japan get very busy on Christmas Eve. Instead of cooking a whole chicken, cooking chicken thigh is common in Japan. Lately, pizza has also become a popular food to eat on the Christmas Eve.

Roast teriyaki chicken thighs are popular Christmas dinner menu in Japan.


INGREDIENTS:
Makes 4 servings

4 pieces whole chicken thighs
1 cup teriyaki sauce
* salt and pepper to season

PREPARATION:

1. Make teriyaki sauce and set aside.
2. Poke chicken skins with a fork.
3. Sprinkle some salt and pepper over chicken thighs.
4. Marinate chickens in teriyaki sauce for 30 - 60 minutes.
5. Roast chickens in the 350F oven, glazing with teriyaki sauce.
6. Turn the chicken thighs over to roast both sides.
7. Roast more glazing with teriyaki sauce.