The Coziest Chicken Arroz Caldo Recipe: Soul-Warming Rice Porridge

My grandma’s cherished chicken arroz caldo recipe carries memories of comfort during rainy afternoons.

Warmth radiates from every spoonful of this Filipino rice porridge.

Ginger and garlic dance together, creating a fragrant base that whispers home-cooked magic.

Each grain of rice absorbs rich chicken broth, promising deep, satisfying flavors.

Simple ingredients transform into a soul-warming meal that hugs you from the inside.

Soft chicken pieces nestle among creamy rice, inviting you to savor slow-cooked goodness.

This classic dish promises to become your new favorite winter companion.

What Makes Chicken Arroz Caldo So Comforting

• Comfort in a Bowl: Warm, hearty chicken arroz caldo provides ultimate comfort food satisfaction for any mood or weather.
• Quick and Easy Preparation: Requires minimal cooking skills, taking only 45 minutes from start to finish with simple ingredients readily available in most kitchens.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Adaptable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, perfect for sick days, cold evenings, or when craving a nourishing one-pot meal that feeds the entire family.
• Budget-Friendly Culinary Experience: Uses affordable ingredients like chicken thighs, glutinous rice, and basic seasonings, making it an economical yet delicious option for home cooking.

Arroz Caldo Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs: Rich and tender meat that provides depth and flavor to the porridge, choose bone-in for more richness.
• Eggs: Protein-packed topping that adds extra texture and nutrition to the dish.

• Glutinous Rice: Sticky rice that creates the creamy, thick consistency of the porridge, best when short-grain variety.
• Chicken Broth: Foundational liquid that infuses the porridge with savory flavor and helps create the right texture.

• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic base that provides warm, spicy undertones and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Fish Sauce: Adds umami and saltiness, essential for authentic Filipino taste.
• Lemon or Calamansi Juice: Bright, citrusy element that cuts through richness and adds freshness.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings for adjusting and balancing overall taste.

• Green Onions: Fresh, mild onion flavor that adds color and light crunch.
• Crispy Garlic Chips, Fried Shallots: Crunchy toppings that provide textural contrast and nutty flavor.

Chicken Arroz Caldo Simmering Guide

Step 1: Sizzle Aromatics

Heat oil in a large pot.

Toss in minced garlic and grated ginger, letting them dance and release their fragrant essence.

Sauté until they turn golden and fill the kitchen with an incredible aroma.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Add chicken thighs to the pot.

Let them sear and develop a beautiful golden crust, turning occasionally to ensure even browning.

This step locks in delicious flavors.

Step 3: Introduce the Rice

Stir glutinous rice into the pot, coating it with the aromatic garlic and ginger.

Pour in chicken broth and fish sauce, bringing everything to a rolling boil.

Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer gently.

Step 4: Shred the Chicken

Carefully remove chicken from the pot.

Allow it to cool slightly, then pull the meat apart, discarding bones.

Return the tender shredded chicken back into the simmering mixture.

Step 5: Create Creamy Perfection

Continue simmering, stirring occasionally.

Watch as the porridge transforms into a luxurious, creamy consistency.

If needed, add more broth to achieve your desired texture.

Step 6: Season and Brighten

Taste the arroz caldo and adjust seasonings.

Add salt and pepper as desired.

Squeeze in fresh citrus juice to bring a bright, zesty note to the dish.

Step 7: Serve with Flair

Ladle the hot porridge into bowls.

• Crispy garlic chips
• Sliced hard-boiled eggs
• Chopped green onions
• Fried shallots

Offer extra fish sauce and citrus on the side for personalized finishing touches.

Chicken Arroz Caldo Cooking Tips

• Sauté garlic and ginger thoroughly to release their aromatic oils, creating a robust flavor base for the arroz caldo.
• Continuously stir the glutinous rice while cooking to ensure even distribution and a smooth, creamy texture throughout the porridge.
• Swap chicken thighs with other proteins like shredded rotisserie chicken, beef, or tofu for varied dietary preferences and tastes.
• Adjust liquid levels by adding more chicken broth or water to achieve your desired thickness, making the dish perfectly personalized.
• Layer different textural toppings like crispy garlic chips, soft-boiled eggs, and fresh green onions to add complexity and visual appeal to the final dish.

Chicken Arroz Caldo That Reheats Well

• Store leftover arroz caldo in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled porridge to freezer-safe containers, sealing tightly to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months.
• Warm the porridge over medium-low heat, stirring frequently and adding a splash of water or broth to restore creamy consistency. Heat until steaming hot and reaching 165°F internal temperature.
• Place porridge in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Add extra liquid if needed to prevent drying out.

What to Serve With Arroz Caldo

• Comfort Drink Pairing: Brew a warm ginger tea to complement the arroz caldo's soothing flavors, enhancing the dish's gentle warmth and supporting its spicy-sweet undertones.
• Texture Contrast Partner: Serve crispy lumpia or spring rolls alongside the porridge, creating a delightful crunch that balances the creamy rice texture and adds exciting mouth-feel.
• Refreshing Accompaniment: Pour chilled calamansi juice or a light coconut water to provide a cool, bright counterpoint to the hearty chicken porridge, cutting through its richness.
• Flavor Enhancer Combo: Add a small side of pickled vegetables like atchara (green papaya pickle) to introduce tangy notes that wake up the palate and provide a zesty complement to the mild arroz caldo.

Chicken Arroz Caldo with a Twist

• Vegetarian Arroz Caldo: Replace chicken with tofu or mushrooms, using vegetable broth for a plant-based version that maintains the creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
• Quinoa Power Bowl: Swap glutinous rice with quinoa for a protein-packed, gluten-free alternative that offers a slightly nuttier taste and increased nutritional value.
• Low-Sodium Option: Reduce fish sauce, use low-sodium chicken broth, and rely on fresh herbs and spices like turmeric or lemongrass to enhance the dish's depth without excess salt.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice, use bone broth instead of regular broth, and increase healthy fat content by adding coconut milk or extra olive oil for a low-carb version that fits ketogenic dietary needs.

FAQs

• What is glutinous rice, and why is it used in arroz caldo?

Glutinous rice is a sticky, short-grain rice that helps create a thick, creamy texture in arroz caldo. It breaks down during cooking, giving the porridge its signature smooth and comforting consistency.

• Can I use regular rice instead of glutinous rice?

Yes, but the texture will be different. Regular rice won’t create the same creamy, thick porridge. Glutinous rice is key to achieving the traditional arroz caldo texture.

• Is fish sauce necessary for this recipe?

Fish sauce adds depth and umami flavor to the dish. If unavailable, you can substitute with soy sauce, but the flavor profile will be slightly different. The fish sauce provides a distinctive Philippine culinary touch.

• How do I make crispy garlic chips for garnish?

Thinly slice garlic and fry in oil over medium-low heat until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Watch carefully to prevent burning, as garlic can quickly turn bitter if overcooked.

Chicken Arroz Caldo (Chicken Rice Porridge) Recipe

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4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comforting chicken arroz caldo brings Philippine culinary warmth to your table, blending tender chicken, ginger-infused rice, and fragrant spices. Hearty spoonfuls promise a nourishing embrace that connects you to traditional Filipino home cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 lb (454 grams) bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (or boneless chicken thighs/breasts)
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced

Starches:

• 1 cup glutinous rice (Malagkit rice)

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lemon or 3-4 calamansi (for juice)

Garnishes:

• Crispy garlic chips
• 2 green onions, sliced
• Fried shallots

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Instructions

1. Infuse a large pot with oil over medium heat, introducing minced garlic and ginger. Allow the aromatics to dance and caramelize for 2-3 minutes, releasing their fragrant essence.
2. Introduce chicken thighs into the pot, transforming them with a golden sear on all surfaces. Rotate the pieces periodically to ensure even caramelization.
3. Fold glutinous rice into the aromatic mixture, coating each grain with the flavorful base. Pour chicken broth and fish sauce, elevating the liquid to a vigorous boil before reducing to a gentle simmer.
4. Let the porridge develop its character, uncovered, for approximately 25-30 minutes. Periodically stir to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
5. Extract the chicken from the liquid, allowing it to cool momentarily. Deconstruct the meat, separating tender pieces from bones, then reintroduce the shredded protein to the simmering pot.
6. Continue the culinary transformation for an additional 10 minutes, coaxing the mixture into a luxuriously creamy consistency. Modulate the texture by incorporating extra broth if needed.
7. Calibrate the flavor profile with strategic seasoning – salt, pepper, or additional fish sauce. Enliven the dish with a citrusy splash of fresh lemon or calamansi juice.
8. Present the arroz caldo in warm bowls, adorned with crispy garlic chips, halved hard-boiled eggs, verdant green onions, and golden fried shallots. Invite diners to personalize with extra condiments.

Notes

• Maximize flavor by toasting garlic and ginger slowly, releasing their aromatic oils without burning, which creates a rich foundational taste for the arroz caldo.
• Control rice texture by stirring occasionally and monitoring liquid levels, ensuring a creamy yet not overly mushy consistency that’s characteristic of traditional Filipino porridge.
• Boost protein and nutrition by experimenting with different chicken cuts like breast or a mix of dark and white meat, adapting to personal dietary preferences and health goals.
• Customize for dietary restrictions by using gluten-free fish sauce, replacing glutinous rice with cauliflower rice for low-carb versions, or adding extra vegetables like carrots and celery for increased nutritional value.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Filipino

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg