It’s officially potluck season! Last week I took several dishes to the teacher appreciation lunch and this week is the big end of the choir banquet. I’m signed up for several pounds of pasta salad. Then before you know it we’ll be at graduation, Memorial Day, family reunions, block parties, and Independence day. In short, summertime is the time to feed a crowd! I’m partnering with Smart and Final to bring you this delicious crowd pleasing recipe for Chicken Caesar salad sandwiches.
Anytime I am cooking for a crowd, I like to head to Smart & Final. They’ve got a great mix of bulk items and grocery store staples. When shopping for this recipe, I actually went to my closest Smart & Final Extra! store. Smart & Final Extra! offer expanded everyday groceries such as shampoos, fresh produce, baked good, to-go meals and baby products, all at warehouse prices. This was my first time in an expanded store and it really is extra. The fresh produce section was huge and offered tons of choices including organic options. Here’s a perfect example of how Smart & Final mixes grocery store and warehouse club. You can buy your produce by the pound like you would at a typical grocery store or you can buy by the case.
The other thing I was really excited about was the bulk food section. I really enjoy being able to buy food in the quantity I want. I am always finding new ingredients to try out in the bulk section. I also appreciate being able to buy specialty ingredients in recipe sized quantities. It’s a great way to save money if you only need a 1/2 cup of something. I may have also used the bulk section to bribe the kiddos with some candy and snacks.
Smart & Final will have opened 20 new Smart & Final Extra! stores in California by the beginning of summer. So make sure you check the Smart & Final store locator to see if there is a Smart & Final Extra! store in your area. With 4500+ additional items, you are sure to find everything you need.
Let’s get back to our Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches. I like having barbecues when I’m having a big get together but I don’t love manning the grill and missing out on my guests. I love this recipe because you make the chicken salad ahead and then just get it out when it’s time to eat. It’s also a great recipe because if you can serve the chicken salad on a bun, bread, or even a bed of lettuce. It’s great for accommodating your guests with different dietary needs.
- 2 lbs First Street boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 cups First Street Caesar Dressing
- ½ cup chopped green onion
- 1 cup chopped celery
- Green Leaf Lettuce,
- Tomatoes, sliced
- First Street Hamburger Buns
- Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover with water. Heat on the stovetop over medium/medium-high heat until it comes to a boil. Cook the chicken until it has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Remove the chicken from the water and place in a bowl. Shred the chicken with two forks. Lightly season with salt and pepper.
- Add in the Caesar dressing, celery, and green onions. Stir until everything is combined.
- Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.
- Serve on First Street rolls with lettuce and tomato slices.
Don’t forget about the First Street First Percent initiative Smart & Final launched in February. The first percent of profits from First Street, Smart & Final’s private label brand, will be donated to the Smart & Final Charitable Foundation. The foundation focuses its donations on health and wellness, education, hunger relief, and team sports and youth development. I’ve got even more information about First Street First Percent in my totcho bar post, so you can check that out too!
Smart & Final is really excited about all the new stores opening up, so make sure you join us for a Twitter party where Smart & Final will be giving away a $250 SmartCash Card to a random winner. Follow the @SmartFinal and tweet at least once with the #SFSnackChat hashtag, to be qualified and entered to win.
What big events are you cooking for this season? What’s your favorite recipe for feeding a crowd? Let me know in the comments!
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Smart & Final. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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