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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Introduce chicken thighs into the pot, transforming them with a golden sear on all surfaces. Rotate the pieces periodically to ensure even caramelization.
- 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.
- Let the porridge develop its character, uncovered, for approximately 25-30 minutes. Periodically stir to prevent sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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