Costa Rican Shrimp, Chicken with Mango Salsa and Beans Recipe

My daughter and one of her girlfriends took a trip to Costa Rica and had a meal that was typical of what is often served there. her dinner was a mix of shrimp and chicken with mango served on a plate with salsa and beans. It inspired her to come up with these recipes. Costa Rican food is one of the reasons, the island is a longevity hotspot.

Enjoy this recipe!

Costa Rican Style Shrimp and Chicken with Mango Salsa and Beans

Kazia Olkowski

Costa Rican food is healthy and flavorful. This recipe was inspired by a trip there.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Entree

Cuisine Costa Rican

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

Mango Salsa

• 1 medium tomato chopped
• 1/2 cup purple onion chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 Tbsp Cilantro fresh chopped
• 1/2 mango peeled and chopped
• 1/2 tsp serrano pepper chopped
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 juice of lime

Chicken and Shrimp

• 1 – 1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders skinned with no bones
• 2-4 shrimps per person – cleaned and shelled with tails on or get a package of frozen shrimp and thaw
• Sliced Banana or Plantain if available
• vinegar of choice to taste

Rice and Beans

• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can of black beans

Garnish

• mixed salad greens with your favorite dressing
• 1/2 avocado sliced

Instructions

 

Mango Salsa

• Mix the tomato, purple onion, garlic, cilantro, mango, serrano pepper, lime juice, salt, and pepper and set aside.

Chicken and Shrimp

• Heat the butter in a skillet on the stove. Saute the chicken for a couple minutes until it is slightly browned. Turn over and saute until cooked through. (about 5-8 minutes total depending on the thickness of the chicken) Season with salt and pepper.
• When the chicken is almost done, add the shrimps to the skillet and cook, tossing occasionally for about 2-3 minutes until it is cooked through and slightly browned.
• Add the sliced bananas to the skillet and saute on each side until slightly browned. (keep warm)

Rice and Beans

• Cook the beans (see recipe above or just use canned black beans with seasonings)
• Boil the rice with 2 cups of water for 15 minutes (or follow package directions)
• Serve the meal with salad greens (with oil and vinegar), sliced avocado, chicken and shrimp, mango salsa, rice, beans, banana, lime slices.

Costa Rican Food

Costa Ricans celebrate Pura Vida in their country. It is a phrase that means much more than pure life there. The phrase expresses satisfaction, happiness, peace, and living in harmony with nature and family and friends

The food in Costa Rica is known for its simplicity, as well as its reliance on tropical fruits and legumes. It’s unpretentious, healthy, and simple to prepare.

Part of the reason Costa Ricans stay healthy is that they are active most of the time and don’t eat in excess. Their most important meal of the day is lunch which is the case in other Latin countries. Schools and businesses shut down for a couple of hours so that people can have leisurely lunches at home with their families.

Rice and beans are a staple but in particular, they consume a dish called Gallo Pinto. (Spotted Rooster) It consists of black beans at a 3 to 2 ratio to rice, bell pepper, onion, garlic, Salsa Lizano, and cilantro. This dish is often served with scrambled eggs for breakfast.

I love the way Latin Americans eat breakfast as I also found when I traveled to Mexico City. Their breakfasts are hearty and filling.

Even though seafood is plentiful it’s also expensive so many of the residents eat chicken, pork, beef, and organ meats.

There are also plenty of fruits and plantains on this rainforest island.

My daughter and her friend drove all over the country in a car, stayed in several hotels, and even went white water rafting.

For more authentic recipes purchase the book, “Gallito Pinto: Traditional Recipes From Costa Rica” 

Have you been to Costa Rica or would like to go?  Please leave a comment below.