Serves 6 to 8
2 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup soy sauce, plus 3 tablespoons for peanut sauce
1 large clove garlic
1 piece (3/4 inches) ginger, peeled and cut in half
2 1/4 teaspoons ground fresh chile paste
7 tablespoons smooth, good-quality peanut butter
3 tablespoons sugar
4 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil
juice of 1 lime
6 ounces vermicelli noodles, or capellini (angel hair) noodles
1/2 cup roughly chopped, toasted Spanish or other peanuts
2 ounces garlic chives or scallions, cut into 4-inch lengths
1 Japanese or Kirby cucumber, thinly sliced
2 Boston or other butterhead lettuce, leaves separated

Directions

1. Place duck or chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag along with 1/2 cup soy sauce, and let marinate for 1 hour. Heat a lightly oiled grill or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Grill chicken breasts until cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes per side for chicken. Let cool slightly, and shred with your fingers, or cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips with a knife. (Or even easier, pick up a cooked rotisserie chicken at the market!)
2. In a food processor, pulse garlic and ginger until finely chopped. Add chile paste, peanut butter, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, sugar, peanut oil, lime juice, and 4 1/2 tablespoons water, and pulse until smooth. Add 1 or 2 more teaspoons water, and pulse to combine. Set aside.
3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add noodles, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain in a colander, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.
4. Dress the noodles with 1/2 cup of the peanut sauce, and transfer to a medium serving bowl. Arrange peanuts, remaining sauce, and prepared fillings in various serving dishes on the table. Guests can create their own rolls by wrapping noodles, a little sauce, and their choice of meat and fillings in a lettuce leaf.