Arroz Caldo is the ultimate comfort food. With flavorful chicken, ginger-flavored broth, and all the trimmings, this Filipino-style rice congee is hearty, tasty, and filling. Perfect for a midday snack or light meal.
When I was growing up in the Philippines, I would occasionally feign illness to miss a school day. My mother would then send our house help to buy and bring back every type of food I could think of and one of my favorite requests was arroz caldo from the downtown wet market.
And before she would leave for work, she would leave detailed instructions on what times I will be taking my paracetamol and on when to warm up the arroz caldo for me. My mother has always been good that way, always bent on making her children happy. Did she know I was faking sickness? Of course.
What is Arroz Caldo
Arroz Caldo or aroskaldo is a type of Filipino lugaw made of chicken and rice and flavored with fresh ginger, garlic, onions, and fish sauce. Although its name is derived from the Spanish arroz caldoso which means “brothy rice”, the rice gruel is more of a local adaptation of the congee introduced in the Philippines by Chinese immigrants.
The thick, hearty porridge is usually served in individual bowls with various toppings and condiments such as hard boiled egg, chopped scallions, and toasted garlic, and calamansi. It’s especially popular for breakfast, but it’s also commonly enjoyed as a midday snack or light dinner meal.
Tips on How to Make Arroz Caldo
- While you can use boneless chicken breast or thigh meat, I highly recommend bone-in parts for maximum flavor. You might also want to try chicken feet version which is fun and tasty to eat! You can also check out this lugaw and tokwa for a vegan version.
- I use long-grain rice as it’s what I always have at home but feel free to swap malagkit (glutinous rice) if you prefer a heartier, thicker consistency. To cut down on cook time, you can use already-cooked (steamed) rice and adjust the amount of liquid to about 3 to 4 cups.
- To boost flavor and color, stir in a tablespoon or so of kasubha (safflower). If you have access to the more expensive saffron, the better! Add about a pinch of the threads as a little goes a long way.
- Ginger is a major flavor component in this soup and using fresh is a must! For best results, please do not substitute dried or ground ginger.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Rice Congee
Allow the congee to cool completely, transfer to airtight containers, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store condiments and toppings separately and add when the soup is ready to serve.
The arroz caldo will thicken more as it cools. To reheat, place in a large saucepan and add enough water to loosen to desired consistency. Cook, stirring regularly until heated through.
Arroz Caldo
Ingredients
- 1 (3 to 4 pounds) whole chicken, cut into serving pieces
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 4 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled and minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 6 cups water
- 2 bouillon cubes
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Toppings
- 3 hardboiled eggs, peeled and halved
- 1/4 cup fried garlic bits
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- calamansi or lemon, cut into wedges
- fish sauce
For the Fried Garlic Bits
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1 head garlic, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Trim chicken of unwanted fat, rinse and drain well.
- In a pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions, ginger and garlic. Cook, stirring regularly, until softened and aromatic.
- Add chicken and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned and have rendered juices. Add fish sauce and continue to cook for around 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add rice and cook, stirring regularly, for about 1 to 2 minutes or until rice starts to lightly brown.
- Add water and bring to a boil, skimming scum that floats on top.
- Add bouillon cubes and stir to dissolve.
- Lower heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the rice has softened and expanded and the congee has thickened to desired consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladle into serving bowls. Top with boiled egg, green onions, and toasted garlic. Serve hot with calamansi and additional fish sauce on the side.
For the Fried Garlic Bits
- In a small pan over low heat, heat oil. Add garlic and cook until golden and crisp. With a slotted spoon, remove toasted garlic and drain on paper towels.
Video
Nutrition
April Diamond says
March 10, 2019 at 7:01 pmHi,
Your recipes are amazing. I was wondering if it’s possible to modify them with instructions on using an instant pot to cook them in….For example, the arroz caldo….in a pot, we use uncooked rice….whereas, I’ve seen some videos where when an instant pot is used…the ingredients call for cooked rice.
Thoughts?
Lalaine says
March 24, 2019 at 1:05 pmThank you so much, April. I am glad you’re finding the recipes helpful.
Yes, I will be converting a few recipes to Instant Pot. I’m a big fan of this appliance; it’s a true time saver!
Sylvia says
April 28, 2018 at 6:06 pmThanks a lot for your recipe. It was my first time to cook it and your instructions were very clear…. it sure made me feel like an “expert ” because my friends liked it.
Lalaine says
April 29, 2018 at 1:49 amYehey! I am glad you enjoyed it and found the recipe helpful. 🙂
Ken says
August 3, 2017 at 9:06 pmFollowed your recipe tonight to make arroz caldo for my wife, now feeling sick after our arrival back in U.S. from Manila yesterday. Some omissions (forgot to buy green onions last night), but I followed the browning of manok and bigas. She really liked the result. Thanks for helping a puti with Pinoy cooking.
Lalaine Manalo says
May 12, 2019 at 1:08 amThank you for the feedback! I hope she feels much better!
Arge says
September 14, 2016 at 6:00 pmHello Lalaine! Thank you so much for sharing your tried-and-tested Pinoy recipes. I’ve been visiting your site whenever I want to sumptuous meals for our family.
Keep it up! God bless 🙂
Lalaine says
September 16, 2016 at 11:01 pmThank you so much for your feedback, Arge. I am glad you find the recipes here useful in your homecooking 🙂
Jasmine says
July 14, 2016 at 12:14 pmCan you use chicken broth instead of the cube? If so, I’m assuming you omit the water? Thanks!
Jen says
July 6, 2016 at 5:38 pmI always use kawaling pinoy in all of my recipes!
Lulu says
January 1, 2016 at 5:14 pmDelicious! First time I made arroz caldo. My son loves it! I never knew about the fried garlic bits and hard boiled eggs. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Lalaine says
January 5, 2016 at 11:56 pmThanks, Lulu. Good to know your son loved it, too. Yes, the fried garlic bits and hard boiled eggs make this soup extra special 🙂
Jen says
May 27, 2015 at 3:42 pmDo you use jasmine or calrose rice? I’m going to cook this tomorrow & I’m at the edge to which rice is best to cook arroz caldo with. Thank you!
Lalaine says
May 27, 2015 at 5:43 pmI use jasmine for arroz caldo although for goto using tripe I prefer sticky rice or malagkit. 🙂
danny florencio says
March 15, 2015 at 6:43 amLike my granma use to make. Thums up! I made for my Thai wife and she love it!
Lalaine says
March 15, 2015 at 4:13 pmThanks for the feedback, Danny. I am glad your wife enjoyed it as well 🙂
Jojie says
January 16, 2015 at 5:00 pmThanks for the recipe. I’ve never actually cooked this delish of dish—there’s always someone else who cooks it for me. Now that I live alone and been wanting to have it, it’s actually quite easy to make than I thought it would be.
Lalaine says
January 20, 2015 at 12:32 pmHi Jojie
Yes, arroz caldo is one of the simplest things you can make. Yet so comforting and satisfying.
BTW, loved the arroz caldo photo on your blog. Looks so good and inviting.
ChefPutit says
December 23, 2014 at 9:25 pmHey, thanks for the recipe. I made this for my mom, who was sick. It turned out great, even without some of the garnishes. I will say this: MUST SERVE WITH LEMON. It felt so good to drink the hot lemony patis-sy flavor. 🙂 My filipina wife even gave me thumbs up!
Lalaine says
December 24, 2014 at 11:17 pmHi Chefputit
I agree, lemon (or calamnsi juice) is a must for arroz caldo. I am glad your arroz caldo was a success and enjoyed by the family. My best wishes to your mom, hope she feels better soon. Happy holidays.
Jane says
November 22, 2014 at 12:46 pmSo glad I found this recipe. I definitely need to make this soon. It’s so cold outside!
Jill Silverman Hough says
March 25, 2014 at 9:57 amThanks for including a link to my Chicken Soup with Rice in your post, Lalaine! I love your photos 🙂
Lalaine says
March 25, 2014 at 5:12 pmMy pleasure, Jill. 🙂