Colombian · Soup

Ajiaco chicken and potato soup

Three types of potato give this chicken-and-corn soup both body and distinct tender pieces. Guascas provide the characteristic herbal aroma, while capers, cream and avocado offer bright, rich finishing touches at the table.

FlexibleEasy6 servings

Ingredients

Original recipe: 6 servings. Ingredient amounts scale below; the method is written for 6 servings. For larger amounts, use separate batches and check doneness.

  • 800 graw boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1800 mlgluten-free chicken stock
  • 400 gpeeled russet potatoes, thinly sliced
  • 300 gred-skinned potatoes, cut into 2 cm chunks
  • 300 gfrozen papa criolla potatoes
  • 2 eachcorn cobs, husked and cut into 3 pieces each
  • 100 gonion, finely chopped
  • 3 eachscallions, chopped
  • 3 clovegarlic, minced
  • 2 tbspdried culinary guascas
  • ½ tspsalt
  • ¼ tspground black pepper
  • 120 mlheavy cream
  • 30 gcapers, drained
  • 2 eachripe avocados, sliced just before serving

Make it

  1. Put chicken, stock, onion, scallions, garlic, salt and pepper in the saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, skim the surface and simmer for 18–22 minutes, until the chicken reaches 74°C / 165°F. Lift onto a clean plate and cover.
  2. Add all three potatoes and the corn to the broth. Simmer partly covered over medium-low heat for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally as the sliced potatoes begin to break down.
  3. Add the guascas and simmer for another 10–15 minutes, until the papa criolla and russet potatoes help thicken the soup and the red potato pieces and corn are tender.
  4. Shred the chicken and return to the pan. Simmer for 3 minutes until the chicken is reheated to 74°C / 165°F. The soup should be thickened by potato but still easy to ladle.
  5. Divide among six bowls, with one corn piece in each. Serve cream, capers and freshly sliced avocado in measured portions alongside for each person to add.
Ingredients, recipe context & sources

Ingredient flags: Milk. Check packaged ingredients and cross-contact.

This is an original Livura home-cooking interpretation, not yet independently kitchen-tested. Source links provide dish and cultural context; the recipe wording and quantities are Livura’s.

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