Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe (2024)

  • Soups
  • Potatoes
  • Colombian
  • Stovetop Chicken
  • Chicken Breast

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated March 10, 2022

WRITE A REVIEW

Trending Videos

Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe (2)

All potatoes originated in the Andes, and Colombia has quite a selection of them, the best being the small, yellow, creamy, buttery papas Criollas. They're eaten deep fried, salt roasted, boiled, or—my wife's favorite method—cooked into ajiaco, a classic chicken and potato soup from the mountains around Bogotá.

Extraordinarily simple in execution (dump and boil), its appeal comes from the use of three different types of potatoes, ranging from starchy to waxy. As the soup simmers away, the starchy potatoes break down completely, thickening the soup to a luxuriously creamy consistency, while the papas criollas provide an earthy, buttery flavor. Waxy potatoes remain more intact, adding textural contrast. Guascas, a native mountain herb with an aroma somewhere in between bay leaf, catnip, and parlsey, adds a distinct flavor (you can just use bay leaves and parsley).

The soup is served along with a generous fixin's bar: shredded chicken breast, tangy sour cream for richness, capers that add a tang to cut through the rib-sticking broth, and an onion and cilantro-base aji (which is, by the way, good on everything). Large-kerneled, starchy South American corn (sometimes called Cuzco corn) is boiled along with the potatoes and eaten during the meal, as are slices of Avocado. Not the creamy Hass variety, but the more watery, refreshing Fuerte cultivar.

This is about as simple, delicious, and comforting as food gets.

September 29, 2010

Recipe Details

Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe

Active20 mins

Total75 mins

Serves4to 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts homemade chicken stock (or low-sodium canned stock)

  • 1 whole bone-in, skin-on chicken breast, split (12 to 16 ounces total)

  • 1 large onion, split in half

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 2 pounds russet potatoes(about 2 medium) peeled and cut into rough 1-inch chunks

  • 2 pounds papas Criollas (about 20 potatoes), peeled

  • 1 pound Red Bliss potatoes (about 2 small), peeled, split into quarters lengthwise, and cut into 1/2-inch slices

  • 1/4 cup dried guascas (see notes)

  • 2 ears corn, shucked and broken into 3 pieces each

  • 1 small onion, finely diced (about 3/4 cup)

  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

  • 1 serrano or 1/2 jalapeño chile, seeded and finely minced

  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

  • 1/2 cup sour cream, thinned with 1 tablespoon milk

  • 1/2 cup capers, rinsed, drained, and roughly chopped

  • 1 ripe avocado, preferably smooth, light-green fuerte variety, sliced into wedges

Directions

  1. Combine chicken stock, chicken breast, onion, bay leaves, potatoes, and guascas in a large saucepot or Dutch oven. Add more water if necessary to cover solids by 1-inch. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer and cook until chicken breast is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Transfer chicken breast to plate and set aside until cooled to room temperature.

    Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe (3)

  2. Continue to simmer potatoes until russets and papas Criollas are completely tender and falling apart, about 45 minutes longer, adding more water as necessary. Discard onion and bay leaves. Using whisk, mash potato pieces against side of pot and stir vigorously to thicken soup. The soup should be thick, with large chunks of potatoes still remaining.

    Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe (4)

  3. Add corn cobs and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is cooked and soup is thickened to the consistency of thick heavy cream, about 15 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

    Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe (5)

  4. While soup is cooking, make the aji: Combine onion, cilantro, and chile pepper in small serving bowl and add water until just covered. Season generously with salt and stir to combine. Set aside. Discard chicken skin and bones. Shred meat into bite-size pieces and set aside in serving bowl.

    Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe (6)

  5. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, passing picked chicken, chopped capers, sour cream, and aji table-side for diners to add to their bowl. Serve avocado slices on the side.

Notes

Papas Criollas are small, creamy yellow Colombian potatoes with a unique buttery flavor and texture. They can occasionally be found frozen in Latin markets. If unavailable, substitute small Yukon Golds or yellow fingerling potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks. Guascas is a Colombian herb. It can be found in some Latin markets, or ordered online from amigofoods. If unavailable, replace with an extra 2 bay leaves (remove along with other bay leaves in step 2), plus 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley leaves.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
641Calories
11g Fat
107g Carbs
32g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories641
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 11g14%
Saturated Fat 3g16%
Cholesterol 51mg17%
Sodium 1584mg69%
Total Carbohydrate 107g39%
Dietary Fiber 13g45%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 32g
Vitamin C 59mg297%
Calcium 120mg9%
Iron 5mg30%
Potassium 2913mg62%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Starch Madness 2022

Couch Potatoes

Hot Potatoes

Small Potatoes

Potaytoes Potahtoes

    French Fries
    Latkes
    Aloo Paratha
    Pierogi
    Aloo Gobi
    Masala Dosa
    Rösti
    Gamja Bokkeum
    Fried Papas Criollas
    Poutine
    Caldo Verde
    Ajiaco
    Colombian Salt-Crusted Potatoes
    Darphin
    Shoestring Fries
    Wedges
    Crispy Roast Potatoes
    Baked Potato
    Classic Potato Salad
    Potato and Chorizo Tacos
    Hash Browns
    Greek Lemon Potatoes
    German Potato Salad
    Crispy Smashed Potatoes
    Potato Hash
    Home Fries
    Fondant Potatoes
    Pommes Anna
    Erdäpfelsalat
    Causa
    French-Style Brown Butter Potatoes
    Potato Chips
    Aloo Samosa
    Patatas Bravas
    Aloo Tikki
    Tortilla Española
    Croquettes
    Tater Tots
    Doughnuts
    Fried Potato Mochi
    Papri Chaat
    Potato Pizza
    Pommes Dauphine
    Crispy Duck Fat-Fried Fingerlings
    Potato Skins
    Knish
    Salchipapa
    Mashed Potatoes
    Gratin
    Shepherd's Pie
    Gnocchi
    Potato-Leek Soup
    Lyonnaise
    Tartiflette
    Pommes Purée
    Pommes Aligot
    Hotdish
    duch*ess
    Fully Loaded Vegan Baked Potato Soup
    Skordalia
    Crispy Mashed Potato Casserole
    Hasselback Gratin
    Brandade
Ajiaco (Colombian Chicken and Potato Soup) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is ajiaco soup made of? ›

Cuban ajiaco, which is more of a stew than a soup, features a variety of meats — typically chicken, beef, and pork — along with an assortment of root vegetables. In Peru, ajiaco is flavored with dried chiles, more garlic, and huacatay (black mint).

What does ajiaco mean in English? ›

masculine noun (Latin America) Cookery) potato and chilli stew.

What does ajiaco taste like? ›

When I made the ajiaco before I added the guascas, it tasted just like chicken soup. After I added the guascas, it developed a richness unlike any other herb I had tasted. By the time the ajiaco had completely cooked, the taste had changed for the better.

Why is ajiaco popular in Colombia? ›

Ajiaco is a very familiar traditional dish in Bogotá, it was used to share with loved ones on special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas parties; However, over the years, ajiaco has become such a popular dish in Bogotá that it can be enjoyed on any occasion of your visit.

What is interesting about ajiaco? ›

Ajiaco is a popular food dish not only just in Colombia but different versions of it can also be found in the countries of Peru and Cuba. Ajiaco has been around since the 16th century but it is unsure as to which country the food originated in first as to whether it was Colombia, Peru, or Cuba.

Do Colombians eat potatoes? ›

Colombian dishes and ingredients vary widely by region; however, some of the most common ingredients includes an endless variety of staples. Cereals such as rice and maize; tubers such as potato and cassava; assorted legumes; meats, including beef, chicken, pork and goat; and fish and other seafood.

Is ajiaco a Chilean? ›

Chilean ajiaco

Ajiaco is a dish made with leftover meat from large roasts, although it can also be prepared from scratch by seasoning some meat and roasting it in the oven. Potatoes, onions and some seasonings such as parsley and chilli are added to the broth from the roast meat.

What is ajiaco in Colombia? ›

Ajiaco is a unique Colombian dish, especially beloved in the city of Bogota. It's a hearty chicken soup made with potatoes and corn on the cob. If you can find them, use small yellow Andean potatoes called papas criollas—they dissolve and thicken the soup as it cooks.

What country did ajiaco come from? ›

Ajiaco is a Colombian soup made with chicken, corn and three types of potato. It's a typical dish of Bogotá but largely unknown outside of Colombia.

What time do most Colombians eat dinner? ›

Note: Dining hours are not much different from typical mealtimes in cities in North America or Great Britain, except that dinner (cena) is generally eaten after 8pm in restaurants. Colombians do not eat nearly as late as Spaniards.

What is the most important meal for Colombians? ›

Lunch is the most important meal of the day in Colombia. So much so that many Colombians (especially women) will barely eat anything at night. The typical lunch (known as "El Tipico") varied between regions, but tends to contain either beef, pork or chicken, white rice, potatoes and a salad or vegetables.

How do you eat ajiaco soup? ›

So here is how to eat ajiaco (it really isn't that complicated!): – Take the corn cob and scrape all the corn off into the soup. – Empty the rice into the soup and mix with your spoon. – Scrape a bit of avocado onto your spoon, dip it into the soup and eat everything together!

What is the Colombian national dish? ›

The Colombian national dish is the bandeja paisa. It is a typical dish from the region of Antioquia (Medellin) and is composed of beef, ground meat, chicharrón (fried pork belly or rind), chorizo, black beans, rice, fried egg, plantains, arepas, hogao and avocado.

What food is served every day in Colombia? ›

Dish of the Day: A Colombian treat for every day of the week
  • Monday: Caldo de Costilla. ...
  • Tuesday: Ajiaco. ...
  • Wednesday: Arepas & Empanadas. ...
  • Thursday: Sancocho. ...
  • Friday: Bandeja Paisa. ...
  • Saturday: Lechona. ...
  • Sunday: Pericos & Posta Negra.

Do Colombians drink coffee or tea? ›

Colombians are famous for the coffee they grow. One of the most important coffee producing countries in the world in terms of volume and quality, coffee cultivation in Colombia goes back to the 1700s. However, Colombians not only grow coffee, they love it.

Is ajiaco and sancocho the same thing? ›

Ajiaco: The Sophisticated Sip with a Kick

It's lighter than sancocho, perfect for those who prefer a more delicate dance on their taste buds. But don't be fooled by its refined air – the guasca packs a subtle punch, reminding you that Colombia ain't all sunshine and roses (though the avocados come close).

What is lung fung soup made of? ›

Lung fung soup (龍鳳湯; pinyin: lóng fèng tāng), also referred to as Dragon's soup and Dragon phoenix soup, is a thick seafood or gou rou soup made with lemon, chili peppers, chicken, snake, and Chinese vegetables. Other variations could include a vegetarian version of the same with mushrooms instead of seafood.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Allyn Kozey

Last Updated:

Views: 5975

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Allyn Kozey

Birthday: 1993-12-21

Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164

Phone: +2456904400762

Job: Investor Administrator

Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports

Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.