Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps for Chinese New Year

I can't help it. I still want to celebrate happy everything, even if I'm falling behind. So Happy Chinese New Year, everybody. My little sister, Catherine, reminded me that I hadn't ever posted my Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce. How did that happen? These used to be on my weekly menu, and now that I've made them again, they're getting their starring role back. They're simple, healthful, cheap, and so addictive. I only had one little problem when I made them this week. I had no good "wrapping" lettuce. You need soft leaved lettuces, like butter, or red-leaf to make a good wrap. All I had on hand was baby spinach, so they became an open-faced lettuce wrap. And now a word about the peanut sauce: YUMMA! I'm sorry to say that I ate it huddled over the sink, right out of the pan, with a spoon. It's that good. It's thin enough that you could douse it all over your whole meal. You'll have extra, so try it on noodles with veggies tomorrow. And the main ingredient of peanut sauce, as you may have guessed is peanut butter. Jif Peanut Butter for us. So for my stream of consciousness post today, that brings me to the Jif Contest. We have to wait a little longer, until the results are posted on the website next week, to share any news about West's status. Lips are sealed until that time. But not so sealed that I can't eat lettuce wraps. With lots and lots of peanut butter.

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

Serves 4

Estimated Cost: $8.00
Marinade:
1 Tbsp oil
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp sugar (or honey)
1 Tbsp garlic
1 Tbsp grated ginger or ginger powder
1 lb. boneless, skinless, chicken breats

Place chicken in marinade for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight. Cook chicken by grilling, broiling, or pan frying. I've used all three methods with great success. Slice into bite sized pieces.
Prepare Peanut Sauce:
1 can of chicken broth
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil

1/3 cup peanut butter... JIF for us

1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar
Simmer broth, soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil for two minutes then add peanut butter, chili garlic sauce and brown sugar. Sauce will be very thin. You can also use it as a salad dressing.
Have cooked and ready:

Rice (I like jasmine, but white or brown or fine, too)
Have ready:
sliced radishes, sliced cucumber, grated carrots, red or green onion sliced, chicken, peanut sauce, peanuts

Place ingredients inside soft lettuce leaves, or serve over spinach, salad style.

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