Description
Hearty Colombian chicken ajiaco blends traditional flavors from Bogotá’s culinary landscape, combining tender chicken with three distinct potato varieties. Local ingredients and rich cultural heritage shine through this comforting soup you’ll savor with each deeply satisfying spoonful.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts
- 6 cups (1.4 L) potatoes, 3 different types, sliced
- 2 corn cobs, cut into pieces
- 8 cups (1.9 L) chicken broth
- ¼ cup (60 mL) guascas (dried herb)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 cup (240 mL) heavy cream
- ½ cup (120 mL) capers
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Avocado
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine whole chicken breasts, sabaneras, pastusas, and tocarreñas potatoes, fresh corn on the cob, minced garlic, diced white onion, and chicken broth in a large pot.
- Cooking: Bring mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 30-35 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and potatoes become tender, allowing flavors to meld harmoniously.
- Shredding: Remove chicken breasts and delicately pull apart using two forks, creating soft, succulent strands. Return shredded meat to the pot.
- Flavor Enhancement: Sprinkle guascas herb into the simmering mixture, infusing the broth with authentic Colombian essence. Continue cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes to deepen the flavor profile.
- Finishing Touches: Stir in heavy cream and capers, seasoning with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the taste complexity and create a rich, creamy consistency.
- Serving: Ladle the aromatic soup into warm bowls, crowning each serving with creamy avocado slices and fresh cilantro leaves for a vibrant, traditional presentation.
- Presentation: Serve piping hot, inviting diners to savor the authentic comfort of Colombian culinary tradition.
Notes
- Potato Selection Matters: Use traditional Colombian potato varieties like sabaneras, pastusas, and tocarreñas for authentic flavor and texture. Local potatoes create a more genuine taste experience.
- Herb Transformation: Guascas is the secret ingredient that gives Ajiaco its unique Colombian character. This herb provides an irreplaceable earthy, slightly tangy note that defines the soup’s traditional profile.
- Shredding Technique: Carefully fork-shred chicken to achieve delicate, tender meat strands that blend seamlessly into the soup. Proper shredding ensures even meat distribution and enhanced texture.
- Cream and Caper Balance: High-fat heavy cream and briny capers create a complex flavor profile that transforms the soup from simple to extraordinary. These ingredients elevate the dish’s richness and depth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Colombian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg