Classic Pico de Gallo

Finely chopped fresh onion, tomato and jalapeños seasoned with salt, lime juice and cilantro give this no-frills Classic Pico de Gallo unbeatable flavor and texture. The Best Pico de Gallo Recipe Finely chopped fresh onion, tomato and jalapeños seasoned with salt, lime juice and cilantro make this easy, Classic Pico de Gallo perfect for dipping.…

The post Classic Pico de Gallo appeared first on The BakerMama.

Finely chopped fresh onion, tomato and jalapeños seasoned with salt, lime juice and cilantro give this no-frills Classic Pico de Gallo unbeatable flavor and texture.

A large white serving bowl of pico de Gallo garnished with a sprig of cilantro. There are tortilla chips surrounding the serving bowl.

The Best Pico de Gallo Recipe

Finely chopped fresh onion, tomato and jalapeños seasoned with salt, lime juice and cilantro make this easy, Classic Pico de Gallo perfect for dipping. This fresh and flavorful dip is sure to become a staple at taco night.

A yellow corn tortilla chip being dipped into a large white serving bowl of pico de gallo.

What is Pico de Gallo?

What does “pico de gallo” mean? The literal translation of the Spanish phrase means “beak of the rooster” or “rooster’s beak.” The dish may get its name for the small size of the chopped ingredients, which resemble bird feed.

What is it? Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa traditionally made with chopped tomato, onion, and serrano or jalapeño peppers. Sometimes referred to as ‘salsa fresca.’

What is the difference between pico de Gallo and salsa? Salsa ingredients vary, while pico always contains the same basic fresh ingredients. And unlike most salsa, it’s never blended or cooked. It has a chunky consistency more like a relish than a sauce.

A large white serving bowl of pico de Gallo garnished with a sprig of cilantro. There are tortilla chips surrounding the serving bowl.

Pico de Gallo Ingredients and Supplies

(see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements and details)

Ingredients:

  • Roma tomatoes
  • Minced garlic
  • Jalapeño
  • Diced white onion
  • Fresh lime juice
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Supplies:

Ingredients to make a classic pico de gallo.

How to Make Pico de Gallo

  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño, white onion, and lime juice.
  • Gently fold in the chopped cilantro.
  • Season with the salt and black pepper and adjust to taste.
Steps to make pico de Gallo.
  • Fold gently until salt and pepper are blended. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
A hand holds the bottom left side of a clear glass mixing bowl of pico de gallo. In the upper right of the photo is a bowl of tortilla chips.

How to Store Pico de Gallo

While this dish is best served fresh, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple days.

A large white serving bowl of pico de Gallo.

What to Serve with Pico de Gallo

  • Baked Corn Tortilla Chips: One bite of these easy Baked Corn Tortilla Chips and you’ll be in chip heaven! Healthier than their fried cousins and every bit as tasty, they’re sure to become your go-to snack! Or try my flour tortilla chips recipe.
  • Easy Stovetop Queso: Creamy cheddar cheese with fresh tomato, onion, jalapeño and cilantro makes this Easy Stovetop Queso a flavorful party favorite.
  • Bean and Cheese Taco Bites: Just 3 ingredients is all it takes to make these tasty Bean and Cheese Taco Bites. The crowd will go crazy over them at your next get together!
  • The Perfect Guacamole: Creamy, chunky fresh avocado with finely minced fixings make the Perfect Guacamole for snacking, dipping and entertaining. It’s perfectly scoopable!
  • Brandon’s Best Margarita: Making this refreshing house margarita is as easy as 1-2-3! Pour, shake, and strain your way to the most flavorful margarita you don’t have to leave home for. Cheers!

If you make this Classic Pico de Gallo, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. ???? I love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes I share. Enjoy!

xoxo,

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A large white serving bowl of pico de Gallo garnished with a sprig of cilantro. There are tortilla chips surrounding the serving bowl.

Classic Pico de Gallo Recipe

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  • Author: The BakerMama
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1 and 1/2 cups

Description

Finely chopped fresh onion, tomato and jalapeños seasoned with salt, lime juice and cilantro give this no-frills Classic Pico de Gallo unbeatable flavor and texture.


Ingredients

  • 1 cup diced Roma tomatoes
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1/4 cup diced white onion
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more if needed
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more if needed

Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, garlic, jalapeño, white onion, and lime juice. Gently fold in the chopped cilantro.
  1. Season with the salt and black pepper, and adjust to taste. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

The post Classic Pico de Gallo appeared first on The BakerMama.

Santa Fe Salad

This Santa Fe salad is the ultimate Southwestern salad. It’s loaded with tender, juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy black beans.

The post Santa Fe Salad appeared first on Budget Bytes.

I have a major weakness for Southwestern flavors, and this Santa Fe salad is the ultimate combination. It’s loaded with tender, juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy black beans. I love it tossed in our creamy avocado dressing. It’s a great hearty entrée-sized salad that’ll keep you full for hours. If you are plant-baseed, this flavor bomb of a salad still packs the same punch without the chicken. This salad is a true crowd pleaser.

creamy avocado dressing drizzled over santa fe salad in a large white bowl.

What Is A Santa Fe Salad?

This tasty Santa Fe salad recipe starts with a bed of romaine lettuce topped with Southwestern favorites, like corn, black beans, bell pepper, cheese, and tortilla chips. Top it off with our favorite creamy avocado dressing, some fresh pico de gallo, and a dollop of homemade guacamole for a filling salad that’s bursting with flavor!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make a Santa Fe salad:

  • Chicken Breasts: Tender, juicy chicken breasts are a great source of protein on this hearty salad. For a budget-saving option, chicken thighs work well. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, substitute the chicken with extra-firm tofu (seasonings and all) or go heavier on the black beans. Mmm!
  • Olive Oil: Helps the spices stick to the chicken and helps the chicken sear in the pan.
  • Seasonings: Chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper add Southwestern flair to the chicken.
  • Romaine Lettuce: The perfect crunchy base for this salad. Buy whole heads rather than the pre-chopped bagged stuff to save money.
  • Bell Pepper: I like to use a green bell pepper, but any color works well to add some crunch!
  • Frozen Corn: You can also use fresh or canned corn– just be sure to drain and rinse first if you use canned.
  • Canned Black Beans: Add creaminess and extra protein to this salad.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Adds a hint of saltiness. Mexican blend also works well.
  • Tortilla Chips: I like to crumble some on top for extra crunch.
  • Creamy Avocado Dressing: Pulls the whole salad together. If you’re short on time, use a store-bought chipotle or Southwest ranch dressing.
  • Pico de Gallo: Adds a hit of freshness and acidity.
  • Guacamole: This is totally optional but ups the creaminess of this salad!

What Else Can I Add?

This Southwestern salad is a great fridge clean-out recipe. Here are some other things I love to add when I have them on hand:

How To Store Leftovers

As with most salads, I recommend storing the veggie components separately from the chicken and dressing and tossing everything together just before serving. This helps protect the lettuce from wilting. Stored correctly, this salad should keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it great for meal prep!

tossing santa fe salad in a large white bowl with wooden spoons.
creamy avocado dressing drizzled over santa fe salad in a large white bowl.
Print

Santa Fe Salad

This Santa Fe salad is the ultimate Southwestern salad. It's loaded with tender, juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy black beans.
Course Salad
Cuisine American, texmex
Total Cost ($17.21 recipe / $2.95 serving)
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 516kcal

Ingredients

For the Dressing

  • 1 avocado $0.89
  • 1/2 cup sour cream $0.24
  • 1 clove garlic, minced $0.08
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 2 tbsp lime juice $0.50
  • 1/4 bunch fresh cilantro $0.20
  • 1/4 cup water $0.00

For the Salad

  • 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-size pieces $2.98
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced $0.89
  • 5 radishes, sliced thin $0.49
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed and rinsed $0.47
  • 1 15oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained $0.89
  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese $0.83
  • 1/2 cup pico de gallo $0.44
  • 1 cup crushed tortilla chips $0.50

For the Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts $5.69
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided $0.08
  • 1 Tbsp chili powder $0.30
  • 2 tsp paprika $0.20
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper $0.06
  • 1 tsp ground cumin $0.10
  • 1 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1 tsp onion powder $0.05
  • 1 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper $0.05

Instructions

  • Add the avocado, sour cream, minced garlic, salt, lime juice, and cilantro to a food processor or blender. Puré until smooth. Cover and set aside in the refrigerator.
  • Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large salad bowl.
  • Dice bell peppers, slice radishes, thaw frozen corn, and rinse and strain canned black beans. Add this and 1/2 cup of pico de gallo to the large salad bowl on top of chopped romaine lettuce. Cover and keep in the refrigerator while you prepare the chicken.
  • Place the chicken breasts inside a heavy duty food storage bag and flatten with a rolling pin or a tenderizing mallet until the breasts are consistently about 3/4 inch thick. Start in the middle at the thickest part of each breast for more even cooking. This step helps the chicken cook more evenly.
  • Prepare the Santa Fe Chicken seasoning blend by combining chili, paprika, cayenne, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Rub chicken breasts with 1 Tbsp olive oil and divide the seasoning blend between the them, making sure to thoroughly coat the entire surface of each chicken breast with seasoning.
  • In a large skillet, add 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is glistening and hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook your chicken for a total of 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. While the chicken cooks, do not wiggle or disturb it except for flipping. Remove the chicken from the heat when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Allow chicken to rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before slicing into strips. After resting, the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. 
  • Fan out the sliced chicken on top of the salad and drizzle creamy avocado dressing over the top. Toss and serve!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

Nutritional information does not include the guacamole. Click the recipe link to view nutritional information.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 516kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 1791mg | Fiber: 14g
overhead view of a santa fe salad in a white bowl.

how to make a Santa Fe Salad – step by step photos

ingredients for avocado dressing in food processor

Add 1 avocado, ½ cup sour cream, 1 clove of garlic (minced), ¼ tsp salt, 2 Tbsp lime juice, and ¼ bunch cilantro to a food processor or blender.

creamy avocado dressing in food processor

Puré until smooth. Cover and set aside in the refrigerator.

chopping lettuce

Chop 2 heads of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large salad bowl.

ingredients for santa fe salad in a white bowl

Dice 1 bell pepper, slice 5 radishes, thaw 1 cup frozen corn, and rinse and strain 1 can of black beans. Add this and 1/2 cup of pico de gallo to the large salad bowl on top of chopped romaine lettuce. Cover and keep in the refrigerator while you prepare the chicken.

pounding chicken

Place the chicken breasts inside a heavy duty food storage bag and flatten with a rolling pin or a tenderizing mallet until the breasts are consistently about 3/4 inch thick. Start in the middle at the thickest part of each breast for more even cooking. This step helps the chicken cook more evenly.

spice rub for chicken

Prepare the Santa Fe Chicken seasoning blend by combining 1 Tbsp chili, 2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper together.

chicken coated with spice rub

Rub chicken breasts with 1 Tbsp olive oil and divide the seasoning blend between the them, making sure to thoroughly coat the entire surface of each chicken breast with seasoning.

chicken in skillet

In a large skillet, add 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is glistening and hot, add the chicken breasts. Cook your chicken for a total of 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. While the chicken cooks, do not wiggle or disturb it except for flipping. Remove the chicken from the heat when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. Allow chicken to rest on a cutting board for 5-10 minutes before slicing into strips. After resting, the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. 

completed santa fe salad

Fan out the sliced chicken on top of the salad and drizzle Creamy Avocado Dressing over the top. Toss and serve!

The post Santa Fe Salad appeared first on Budget Bytes.