Arroz Caldo is the ultimate comfort food. This Filipino-style rice congee is hearty, tasty, and filling with flavorful chicken, ginger-flavored broth, and all the trimmings. 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 when to warm up the arroz caldo for me. My mother has always been good that way, ever 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 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, toasted garlic, and calamansi. It’s especially popular for breakfast, but it’s also commonly enjoyed as a midday snack or light dinner meal.
Cooking tips
- While you can use boneless chicken breast or thigh meat, I highly recommend bone-in parts for maximum flavor. You might 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 chicken rice congee and using fresh is a must! For best results, please do not substitute dried or ground ginger.
How to store
- To store leftovers, 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 caldo is ready to serve.
- It 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.
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 canola 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.
Notes
Video
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Rowena N Van Slooten says
hi,
what do you thick about using brown rice instead of white. more water for sure, yeah?
thanks. oh and an instapot conversion would be so helpful too. i too always go to your site when i want to cook something pinoy that i dont have to guess what the ingredients are. thanks.
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, you can use brown rice and adjust the amount of water. I have a IP lugaw coming up soon 🙂
Michelle says
Hello, for a shortcut version, can you make this with roasted chicken from the supermarket?
Thanks.
Lalaine Manalo says
Yes, you can. Just add the chicken at the last 5 to 10 minutes of cooking.
Cres Ventura Mortimer says
I always like arrozcaldo, simple recipe make by my father to celebrate my birthday then he invites our friends/neighbourhood,we use coconut leaves instead of a steel spoon,this is yearly
Pogi Lumapas says
This arroz caldo was delicious! I made the recipe once with chicken stock and once with shrimp stock and both ways were amazing. Thank you for the great tips. Masarap!
Janet says
Made this with sweet (glutinous) brown rice. Took it to another notch. The texture was phenomenal!
jan gridley says
I remember this as a child. Would you have recipe for a desert made with Ube. It was translucent, cut diamond shape with latik on top. I miss it so much. Salamat po for your recipe post.
Sarita says
Thanks for the great recipe! The family loved it. Great tasting.
lewis ray patterson says
Looks like a great recipe. I will try it. This seems the closest to what I have had in the Phils. 😊
Denizatm says
Delicious! Short on time so I used reduced sodium chicken broth and previously cooked chicken. Lots of flavor in this recipe- one of my favorites now!
Mary Rose Bravo says
Thank you author for making this easy for me how is a newbie in cooking
drplastickpicker says
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe! I will be trying to cook it tonight!