Ajiaco Colombian Chicken and Potato Stew Recipe

Name: Hearty Ajiaco: Colombian Chicken and Potato Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 565 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2 large chicken breasts (bone-in and skin on, about 1 1/2 pounds); 1 large yellow onion (roughly chopped); 5 cloves garlic (roughly chopped); 1 tablespoon coarse salt; 1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cups chicken stock; 1 1/2 pounds mixed potatoes (red, Yukon gold, and russets; peeled and cut into bite-size chunks); 2 to 3 ears fresh corn (cut crosswise into quarters, or 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels); 1 bunch fresh cilantro (with stems, washed well and tied with twine); 1 bunch green onions (washed and tied with twine); 2 tablespoons dried guascas; For Topping:; 2 avocados (pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced); 1/2 cup Crema Mexicana (or sour cream or creme fraîche ); 1/2 cup cilantro leaves (chopped); 2 tablespoons capers (drained, chopped)

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 70 mins

Marinate: 8 hrs

Total: 9 hrs 25 mins

Servings: 6 to 8 servings

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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.

Ajiaco is seasoned with a Colombian herb called guascas and is traditionally served with slices of avocado, capers, and mild sour cream. You can usually find frozen papas criollas as well as dried guascas at Latin food markets—they are worth seeking out if you decide to make this dish.

Cubans make a stew version of ajiaco that includes beef, pork, chicken, and vegetables, and in Peru, this dish is a side dish of potatoes, garlic, chilies, and herbs. It is a great menu for a cold night, all in one pot. Serve with artisan bread and Spanish albariño wine.

Learn what foods you need to stock your pantry with to cook Colombian recipes.

2 large bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped
5 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 cups chicken stock
1 1/2 pounds mixed potatoes (such as red, Yukon Gold, and russets), peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
2 to 3 medium ears corn, quartered, or 1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels
1 bunch fresh cilantro, tied with kitchen twine
1 bunch green onions, tied with kitchen twine
2 tablespoons dried guascas

For Topping:

2 large avocados, thinly sliced
1/2 cup Mexican crema, or sour cream, or creme fraîche
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped

Gather the ingredients.

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Place the chicken in a glass or ceramic dish. Top with the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.

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Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours.

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Heat the olive oil in a heavy 4-quart lidded pot over medium-high heat.

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Add the chicken with the vegetables and brown each side, about 6 minutes.

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Pour in the stock and raise the heat to high.

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When the mixture boils, lower the heat to medium-low then cover and simmer. Cook until the chicken is tender, about 30 minutes.

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Transfer the chicken to a platter, reserving the cooking liquid in the pot.

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When cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the chicken and discard. Cut or tear the chicken breasts into bite-size strips and discard the bones.

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Place the potatoes in the pot with the cooking liquid and turn the heat to medium. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.

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Add the corn, cilantro, green onions, and the guascas. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender, but not overcooked.

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Remove the cilantro and green onions and return the chicken to the pot. Simmer a few minutes more until the chicken is warmed through.

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Ladle the soup into individual bowls and place the toppings on the table to be passed around.

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How to Store

Store any leftover ajiaco in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

What Can I Use Instead of Guascas?

There's nothing that tastes exactly like the herb guascas—it can be found in Latin and South American markets as well as ordered online. However, if you can't find guascas, try substituting with dried oregano.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
451	Calories
23g	Fat
44g	Carbs
21g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories	451
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 23g	30%
Saturated Fat 6g	29%
Cholesterol 45mg	15%
Sodium 984mg	43%
Total Carbohydrate 44g	16%
Dietary Fiber 9g	31%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 21g
Vitamin C 22mg	108%
Calcium 80mg	6%
Iron 3mg	18%
Potassium 1319mg	28%
*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.