Ajiaco Colombian Stew
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 70 mins
Marinate: 8 hrs
Total: 9 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 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
- 4 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
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilatrro
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped
Steps:
- Place the chicken in a glass or ceramic dish. Top with the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours.
- Heat the olive oil in a heavy 4-quart lidded pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken with the vegetables and brown each side, about 6 minutes.
- Pour in the stock and raise the heat to high. When the mixture boils, lower the heat to medium-low then cover and simmer. Cook until the chicken is tender, about 30 minutes.
- Transfer the chicken to a platter, reserving the cooking liquid in the pot.
- 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.
- Place the potatoes in the pot with the cooking liquid and turn the heat to medium. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
- Add the corn, cilantro, green onions, and the guascas. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender, but not overcooked.
- Remove the cilantro and green onions and return the chicken to the pot. Simmer a few minutes more until the chicken is warmed through.
- Ladle the soup into individual bowls and place the toppings on the table to be passed around.
- Serve and enjoy!
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.