Colombian Ajiaco {Potato and Chicken Soup}
Colombian Ajiaco, a traditional chicken and potato soup from Bogota. Made with three types of potatoes, corn, cilantro, green, onion, capers, cream, avocado, and the South American guascas herb, this Colombian soup will make you feel like you’re eating in Bogota!
Ingredients
Soup
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 pounds chicken breast
- 2 large onion chopped
- 4 single garlic cloves minced
- 8 cups chicken stock
- ½ teaspoon salt to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper to taste
- 1 bunch cilantro chopped (about 2 cups)
- 3 whole green onions chopped (greens and whites)
- 2 tablespoons guascas herb see notes
- 2 pounds mixed potatoes red, gold, russet, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 ears corn cut into 2-3 inch pieces
Toppings
- 2 cups white rice cooked
- 2 whole avocados thinly sliced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup capers drained
Instructions
- Cook chicken and vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add chicken, onions, and garlic and brown outside of chicken for 1-2 minutes each side.
- Cook soup: Add chicken stock, salt, pepper, cilantro, green onion, and guascas and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until chicken is cooked throughout, about 20 minutes.
- Add potatos + shred chicken: Remove chicken and set aside to cool. Add potatoes and corn and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. In the meantime, use a fork to shred chicken breasts.
- Simmer and season: Add shredded chicken back to soup along with the corn on the cob. Simmer on low another five minutes. Season to taste with more salt, pepper, or guascas if needed.
- Garnish and serve: Serve in a chamba soup bowl with white rice, sliced avocados, cream, and capers.
Notes
- Leftovers and storage: Colombian Ajiaco can be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. It is also a soup that has more flavor after a few days and holds up well when frozen. We froze ajiaco and thawed it after a month and it was delicious.
- Inspiration: This Colombian Ajiaco recipe was adapted from an authentic ajiaco recipe shared with my by our friends who own the El Pilon food truck in Portland, Oregon. Visit them!
- Make it Healthy! The nutrition facts for Colombian Ajiaco below are an estimate. The recipe is as authentic as possible, which means nutrition and health were not a factor when it was developed. However, to lighten up this recipe and make a healthier Colombian Ajiaco recipe, reduce the oil and salt, use milk instead of heavy cream, and replace white rice with brown. Get creative!
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 551kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 37gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 97mgSodium: 801mgPotassium: 1338mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 370IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 80mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!