Crockpot Chicken Lettuce Wrap

I have a new best friend and her name is "CP", short for crockpot.  We have been doing alot of activities together and some more than once because it's so fun!

One of the things we can't do together is go out to eat, so....I bring the recipes to her and we try'em out.  I love me some chinese food and really like P.F. Chang but maybe go once a year if I'm lucky.

They have alot of tummy yummy's but something they are known for are their "Lettuce wraps".  I came across a recipe...wait, not just any recipe but a crockpot recipe for making these tummy fav's.  Stephanie @ A year of slow cooking [click for original recipe]is one of my new blog friends (well not new anymore, I've known her for a year now) but she doesn't know but we are like this...X.

I've made this recipe twice and would do it more but don't want to burn myself out.

Crockpot Chicken Lettuce Wrap

What you need:

Not pictured: Lettuce and rice

10-15 Boneless skinless chicken tenderloins (I used frozen)

3 Tbsp of minced garlic

4 Tbsp of dried onion flakes (or 1/2 chopped onion)

1/4 Cup soy sauce

1/4 Cup white cooking wine

1/2 Tsp ginger

2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Dash of allspice

Directions:

• Put chicken in crockpot topped with garlic and onion. 
• In a mixing bowl, mix the liquid and spices.  Pour over chicken. 
• Cover and cook on high for 6-8hrs.  I did stir a couple of times as chicken wanted to stick together.
• Once done, you can chop chicken up inside crockpot or take out and chop, then put back in.
• Serve over lettuce leaves.  I used a head of lettuce and chopped up but rumor has it that Trader Joe's sells them already separated (I haven't made it there yet).  I also added rice because they give you rice at PF Changs.

Enjoy, I sure did.  I would say it serves at least a family 4.

Crockpot Chicken Chili

For bible study, I always like to sign up to bring a dish for 1. It's means I have to come, no backing out and 2. I always like to find and try new recipes and they are my testers.

I use to make things for work but sometimes people start to take you for granted and something fun that I liked to do just because turned into a pain.  What do I mean?  Well I would make different dishes and everyone would like them and then start requesting items or asking why I didn't bring breakfast or lunch in because they were waiting.  Or people would want to know why I didn't provide drinks to go with the item and if I ask for someone to bring drinks, you thought I had asked for them to handmake it.  Then people would go on "diets" and be upset that you didn't make a specialized dish for them.  Hogwash!!  Yes, I should continue to do what I like to do and bless them but I will say, I have to do it on my on timing so I won't get caught up in my emotions of their actions.

It was chili month at bible study and I had signed up to bring "White Chicken Chili".  I have never made it nor had it so off to look for recipes.  After looking at all the recipes, I realized that I wasn't too fond of white beans.  I'm not too fond of beans in general but definitely not white beans.  Thanks to Chipotle, I really like black beans and came across a recipe using black beans.  Then to my surprise, I came across one for the....Crockpot!  Yes!!  So I was going to make white chicken chili w/black beans.  It didn't dawn on me to call it "Chicken Chili" until I mentioned to someone what I was making.  I know, I'm a little slow.  I've been having alot of those moments lately.

So I made this for the bible study and brought leftovers to work to eat.  One of my co-workers asked if she could have some (which I was thinking, it was just some that I had bought) and then another co-worker heard her ask and she asked if she could have some.  Always excited for people to try what I make I said sure.  They warmed it up and had some.  Then they asked if they could have it all because it was soo good.  Of course I said sure.  They've been asking for it all the time now.

You can find the original recipe that what Mel calls the "Easiest Dinner Ever"  on her blog.  

Crockpot Chicken Chili

What you need:

Most important: 1 crockpot liner!

1 Bag of boneless skinless chicken breast tenderloins (used frozen)

1 Can of black beans (drained & rinsed)

1 Can of corn (drained)

1 Can of  rotel (I used mild, I'm a wuss)

1-10oz Sante Fe Blend Cooking Creme

Directions:

Put items in the crock in order of list. 

I put it on in the morning on low and after an 8 hour shift at work, Bam! It was done.  After stirring chii, it was perfect.  I did not shred or cut chicken.  They were already in perfect pieces.  If you turn it off and let it set for 30-45 mins, chili will thicken a little.

The recipe calls for you to put it over rice but you great with or without rice.

**A couple of suggestions:

I used Bush's Seasoned black beans which is alot better.

The recipe calls for 8oz of plain cream cheese.  I did try but it was NOT good.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake

I like to cook, bake and MOSTLY eat!  I follow alot of blogs and most of them are food related or have great recipes.  When I read the recipes and look at the pictures, I do one of the Homer Simpson drools (don't know why I reference his drool so much).  There are some women out there that can cook their booties off.  They are not professional but they have a love for cooking or baking and you can tell. 

My mom loves to bake and does it VERY well.  She really should start a business but I think it would take the passion out of it.  She made wedding & baby shower cakes, cookies out of this world, cupcake cakes, pies, bread/muffins (the pumpkin ones are my favorite), and the list can go on.  She has done all these for other people.  People call her and put in orders.  Oh, forgot to mention it has ALL been FREE.  She loves doing it.

When you find your passion for things, nothing can stop you as you excel.  That's a whole sermon on it's own.  My mom is coming to visit in 4 days and I can't wait to have her help me bake and cook some of the items I've seen on these different blogs but for now...

My cooking endeavors are not even close to those that I have read.  First of all my baking dish consist of tin foil pans.  I know it's bad but I either burn up stuff so good that cleaning it is not worth the hassel or I just don't want to do dishes.  I know, I know, that's pitiful but it's the truth.  I do have a casserole dish that I've bought not too long ago but I'm just a fan of tin foil pans and tubberware.  I'm just a simple girl that doesn't ask for much.

So I'm going to take my simple girl approach because you got to start somewhere and do my recipe thang (yep, thang)!  I go to a monthly woman's bible study and we can sign up to bring food.  I would sign up occassionally to bring food but lately have been signing up every month.  My thought was, I like to cook but don't really have anyone to cook for so why not the ladies in the bible study.  Then the leaders would pray over the food and those who brought food.  They would pray that those who brought food that their food will be plenty at home, not spoil and be blessed.  Well my food in the refridgerator would keep longer and longer.  It was so amazing how food that should have been spoiled or moldy would be fine to eat.  I once had fresh strawberries last for a months in the refridgerator and still be in great shape.  I wouldn't do anything but take them from the bag to the fridge.  This would happen to alot of my food. 

My little secret that I just recently shared, I sign up for food now because it keeps me consistant in showing up.  There is so many times that I would to stay at home and veg out but I know that I signed up for something and they are counting on me.  It's also a blessing to the other women as there are many who can't contribute or secretly can't cook or just don't want too.  Well I want to and thanks for being my guinea pigs or test pilots for better words.

Last sunday I made Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake straight from the back of the stove top box.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Bake

Prep: 10 mins   Bake: 30 mins

Ingredients:

1 pkg (6 oz) stove top stuffing mix for chicken

1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless checken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 bag (14 oz) frozen broccoli florets, thawed, drained

1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups kraft shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 F.  Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package; set aside.

Mix chicken and broccoli in 13 x 9 inch baking dish.  I pre-cooked my chicken first and bought steamed broccoli and cooked that as well.

Stir in soup, milk and cheese.  Top with the prepared stuffing.  Bake 30 min. or until heated through.

The Finished Product

The picture does not give this bake any justice.  I was so nervous the whole time because after 30-45 mins, the chicken bake was still runny.  This picture was taken right after it got out of the oven but when I made it to bible study, the casserole looked good and tasted really good.  I even got compliments.  I was so excited and it made my night.  Thank you Lord for making it come out great.

Okay, so this is my first recipe, I know it's nothing fancy but the simple way to go.  If I can do it or make it, ANYONE can.