Hearty Colombian Ajiaco with Guasca Herbs

Name: Hearty Colombian Ajiaco with Guasca Herbs
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: 8 cups water; 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 large white onion; 2 garlic cloves; Salt and pepper; 2 pounds potatoes; 2 ears of corn; 1/4 cup dried guasca herbs; 1 cup capers; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 avocados

A Comforting South American Chicken Soup

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

1 h 45 min
6
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Broth

8 cups water

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 large white onion

quartered

2 garlic cloves

smashed

Salt and pepper

to taste

For the Soup

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

For the Toppings

1 cup capers

1 cup heavy cream

2 avocados

sliced

Preparation

Marinating the Chicken

Combine Ingredients

Combine the chicken breasts with the onion and garlic in a large pot.

For an authentic taste, be sure to find dried guasca herbs, a key ingredient to the flavor profile of this dish.

Season and Add Water

Add salt, pepper, and the 8 cups of water.

Cook the Chicken

Bring to a boil for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.

Preparing the Soup Base

Shred the Chicken

Remove and shred the chicken once cooked, setting aside the broth.

Shredding the chicken finely helps it absorb more of the soup's flavor.

Add Potatoes and Corn

In the same broth, add the potatoes and corn.

Season and Simmer

Stir in the guasca herbs and simmer for 30 minutes.

Monitor the heat to maintain a gentle simmer to prevent overcooking the potatoes.

Cooking Process

Simmering the Soup

Allow the potatoes to cook thoroughly until tender and slightly breaking down.

Incorporating Chicken

Reintroduce shredded chicken to blend flavors.

Thickening the Base

Allow the soup to thicken naturally with the breakdown of papa criolla potatoes if used.

Plating & Serving