Soup · Dinner · Latin American ·

Hearty Colombian Ajiaco with Guasca Herbs

Name: Hearty Colombian Ajiaco with Guasca Herbs
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: 8 cups water; 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 large white onion, quartered; 2 garlic cloves, smashed; Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 pounds potatoes, mix of Yukon gold, white, and Colombian papa criolla; peeled and chopped; 2 ears of corn, each cut into 3 pieces; 1/4 cup dried guasca herbs; 1 cup capers; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 avocados, sliced

Ajiaco is a traditional Colombian soup that combines tender chicken, potatoes, corn, and flavorful guasca herbs — a hearty meal for any occasion.

4.5(322 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 22, 2025

Hearty Colombian Ajiaco with Guasca Herbs — Soup served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Broth

For the Soup

For the Toppings

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 456 kcal
Protein: 18.33 g
Carbs: 40.33 g
Fat: 23.67 g
Fiber: 9.67 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2738 kcal
Protein: 110 g
Carbs: 242 g
Fat: 142 g
Fiber: 58 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
8 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts	375	70	0	7	0
1 large white onion quartered	60	2	15	0	3
2 garlic cloves smashed	10	0	2	0	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
2 pounds potatoes mix of Yukon gold, white, and Colombian papa criolla; peeled and chopped	623	14	139	0	19
2 ears of corn each cut into 3 pieces	180	6	38	3	4
1/4 cup dried guasca herbs	10	1	2	0	1
1 cup capers	200	5	15	2	11
1 cup heavy cream	800	6	7	86	0
2 avocados sliced	480	6	24	44	20

These nutrition estimates are approximate and not intended as dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Combine Ingredients
Combine the chicken breasts with the onion and garlic in a large pot.
Tip: For an authentic taste, be sure to find dried guasca herbs, a key ingredient to the flavor profile of this dish.
2
Season and Add Water
Add salt, pepper, and the 8 cups of water.
3
Cook the Chicken
Bring to a boil for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.

Preparing the Soup Base

1
Shred the Chicken
Remove and shred the chicken once cooked, setting aside the broth.
Tip: Shredding the chicken finely helps it absorb more of the soup's flavor.
2
Add Potatoes and Corn
In the same broth, add the potatoes and corn.
3
Season and Simmer
Stir in the guasca herbs and simmer for 30 minutes.
Tip: Monitor the heat to maintain a gentle simmer to prevent overcooking the potatoes.

How to Make Hearty Colombian Ajiaco with Guasca Herbs

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Simmering the Soup
Allow the potatoes to cook thoroughly until tender and slightly breaking down.
2
Incorporating Chicken
Reintroduce shredded chicken to blend flavors.
3
Thickening the Base
Allow the soup to thicken naturally with the breakdown of papa criolla potatoes if used.