• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

TastyAZ

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Latin Food
    • Lunch/Dinner
  • Eat Out
    • Brunch
    • Dessert
    • Dinner
    • Drinks
    • Lunch
  • Lifestyle
    • Beauty/Health
    • Family
    • Travel
  • About Tasty AZ
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

Colombian Ajiaco Soup

Colombian Ajiaco is a potato and chicken based soup that is traditional in Bogota, Colombia’s capital city.

If you have never tried Ajiaco, think of the most amazing chicken soup with a creamy potato base, corn and aromatic herbs.

Colombian ajiaco with corn, chicken, potato and capers on a bowl with avocado, capers and bowl of ajiaco in the background
Ajiaco Colombiano

This soup is one of my favorite Colombian dishes because it is comfort at its finest.

We use 3 kinds of starchy potatoes, corn, chicken breast and aromatic herbs to create this delicious concoction.

Ingredients for Colombian ajiaco: chicken, potatoes, corn, capers, avocado, cream, guasca leaf (native of Colombia)
Ingredients for Colombian ajiaco: chicken, potatoes, corn, capers, avocado, cream, guasca leaf (native of Colombia)

Then we top this soup with capers, avocado, a generous amount of table cream and garnish it with cilantro.

The combination of starchy potatoes creates a creamy and thick soup that is hearty and full of flavor.

In Disney’s movie Encanto, the Familia Madrigal serves this soup during the engagement party for Isabela.

This Encanto recipe is one of my favorites and it’s really easy to make.

Colombian ajiaco with chicken, corn, capers and cilantro
I like my Ajiaco with lots of cream and a few capers.

In the movie, they feature how the soup is served; the broth with potatoes and corn and then all the toppings family-style.

You can add what you like and leave out what you don’t (capers are one that people either love or hate).

The beauty of this is that the soup is highly customizable but the essence and flavors remain unaltered.

Ajiaco on a bowl with an ear of corn. Capers in a pinch bowl, shredded chicken in a bowl, sliced avocado
Ajiaco is one of the most emblematic Colombian dishes

Ajiaco soup ingredients

This soup is very traditional and uses some ingredients that are sometimes hard to come by.

But if you truly want to enjoy an authentic experience, using the ingredients listed in the recipe is a must.

  • Potatoes: We use a variety of white and yellow potatoes, in particular a small yellow potato called “papa criolla”. In the USA you can find them frozen in specialty latin markets, however these can be substituted for any yellow potato.
  • Corn: We use sweet corn in this recipe and it gives the broth amazing flavor.
  • Chicken: In this recipe use chicken breast. The chicken should shredded so chicken breast is best.
  • Capers: This is just a garnish but it gives the dish a special touch, if you are not a fan you can use fewer or not use any at all.
  • Guasca leaf: This herb is KEY to making ajiaco. Otherwise you are just making a chicken and potato soup. Dried guasca (affiliate link) can be found on amazon.
potatoes in a bowl, corn in a bowl, chicken in a bowl, wooden spoon, avocado, dried guasca in a bowl
Papa criolla is native to Colombia. Some specialty latin supermarkets carry it frozen papa criolla.

What do you eat with ajiaco

Ajiaco is a full meal on its own. All the toppings, protein and starches that go in the soup are a stand alone meal.

The broth is full of flavor from the potatoes and corn.

The shredded chicken breast is a complete source of protein that makes this soup a well balanced dish.

The addition of cream and avocado, provide the fat sources that make this soup decadent, creamy and delicious.

Some people like to serve ajiaco with a side of plain white rice and banana, which I personally love but you can leave out to keep things simple.

Ajiaco in a bowl with corn and capers
Ajiaco is Colombian comfort food at its finest

This is by far one of my favorite Colombian dishes. Everyone that has tried it for the first time, loves it immediately.

There is a good reason why this dish was featured in Encanto in such a decisive moment of the movie, this dish is just emblematic of Colombian cuisine.

This dish is also uncomplicated, so if you are trying to learn how to cook Colombian food, this is a great way to ease yourself into it.

You can make this dish in your stove top, instant pot or slow cooker. In the recipe below I’m using the stove top but let me know if you’d like other cooking methods and I can update the recipe accordingly.

For other amazing Encanto recipes, check out my bunuelos, arepas and Colombian Empanadas.

Colombian Ajiaco

Colombian Ajiaco Soup

5 from 25 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Colombian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Chicken breast cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 3 cups Chicken stock
  • 1 Russet potato cut in 1 inch cubes
  • 2 Yellow potatoes cut in 1 inch cubes
  • 2 Sweet corn ears cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon Guasca
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Garnishes

  • 1 Avocado
  • 1 Tablespoon Capers
  • 1 Tablespoon Chopped cilantro
  • 4 Tablespoons Cream

Instructions
 

  • In a medium stock pot over high-medium heat add the cubed chicken and chicken stock, corn and guasca. Add salt to taste
  • After 10-12 minutes, remove the chicken, shred and set aside
  • Add the cubed potatoes and cook until fork tender
  • Once the potatoes are cooked, return half of the shredded chicken to the pot and simmer on medium heat for another 10 minutes
  • Serve the soup and add a tablespoon of cream per serving, add avocado slices and capers (optional)
Keyword ajiaco, Colombian food, Encanto Movie
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Previous Post: « Deviled Strawberries
Next Post: Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

HEY THERE!

Thanks for stopping by!

Whether you are looking for a recipe, a new restaurant or a travel destination, I hope you feel inspired by the things I share here.

Stay In Touch

* = required field

Categories

Recent Posts

  • TikTok Cinnamon Rolls with Heavy Cream
  • STK Scottsdale
  • Cantina Gueros Mexican Food
  • TikTok Churro Cheesecake
  • Where to eat in Downtown Phoenix

Copyright © 2022 TastyAZ