Description
Ajiaco is a hearty Colombian soup featuring chicken, three types of potatoes, corn, and the unique herb guascas. This dish is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 lbs / 1.4–1.8 kg), cut into pieces
- 12 cups (2.8 liters) water
- 1 large white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb (450 g) papa criolla (Colombian yellow potatoes), peeled and sliced
- 1 lb (450 g) red potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 lb (450 g) russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 ears of corn, each cut into 3 pieces
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons dried guascas (gallant soldier herb)
- 1 cup heavy cream (for serving)
- 1 cup capers (for serving)
- 2 avocados, sliced (for serving)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the chicken pieces, water, chopped onion, and minced garlic in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 45 minutes, skimming off any foam that rises to the top.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones.
- Add all three types of potatoes and the corn pieces to the broth. Bring back to a simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the potatoes are very tender and starting to break down to thicken the soup.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, chopped cilantro, and dried guascas. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes to let the flavors combine.
- Serve the soup hot in bowls. Top each serving with a drizzle of heavy cream, a spoonful of capers, and slices of avocado.
Notes
- If you cannot find guascas, you can substitute with a mix of dried oregano and a bay leaf, though the flavor will be different.
- The papa criolla potatoes are essential for authenticity and texture; they break down and help thicken the soup.
- You can adjust the soup’s thickness by mashing some of the potatoes against the side of the pot with a spoon.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The soup will thicken when cold; thin it with a little water or broth when reheating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Colombian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg