Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups

I haven't posted a recipe in long time because our kitchen/house is being remodeled but I wanted to post this recipe that I got from my neighbor after she invited us over for a neighborhood gathering.  The gathering was a memorial service for her dog, Emma, who recently pasted away.

I wrote about my neighbor, Karen, here a couple of years ago when she hosted a "Welcome to the Neighborhood" party at her house.  This year's party was on a slightly sadder note with the passing of her pup but she still put on a wonderful and welcoming event for us neighbors.  After we all arrived, we had a little ceremony for Emma where her ashes were buried and the above plaque was placed in her memory.  Karen told little stories about Emma while Alexa played Scottish bagpipe music.  It was so touching it was hard not to cry!  Then we went back into the house and enjoyed all the wonderful food that Karen had prepared for us. 

She always prepares a variety of items that are all meticulously labeled.

I loved the Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups so much I got her recipe.  

The idea of remodeling our deck came from being over at Karen's house. 

She did an awesome job on remodeling her house/deck about four years ago. We love how her doors open up onto the deck and suddenly the entire wall is gone.  We got completely inspired from being over at her house. 

We are really enjoying living in this neighborhood. The people here are the best neighbors.  Last night, we had our neighborhood block party that happens every year in August, sponsored by the city so we're able to block off the street and all the kids can play and ride their bikes.



Everyone brings such wonderful food including barbecued sausages and s'mores made in the fire pit.

If you want to make a nice summertime recipe before our hot weather ends, this is a perfect one to make.  You might want to even invite a few neighbors over to enjoy them with you.

Thai Chicken Lettuce Cups

Makes 12 Lettuce Cups

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast

1/2 cup chicken broth

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 tsp. oyster sauce

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

2 Tbsp. fresh, grated ginger

diced red onion - to taste

sriracha sauce - to taste

2 cups torn basil leaves, divided

2 Tbsp. hoisin sauce

12 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves

2 cups cooked, long grain rice

4 green onions, chopped

shredded carrots and thinly sliced radishes

1.  In a 1-1/2 quart slow cooker, combine the first 10 ingredients.  Cover and cook on low for about 3 hours. 

2.  Remove chicken, shred with 2 forks.  Return to slow cooker.  Stir in 1-1/2 cups  basil and hoisin sauce; heat through.

3.  Serve in lettuce leaves with rice, green onions, carrots, radishes and remaining basil.