What’s your idea of a comforting meal? For me, it’s something warm and simple, like arroz caldo. This Filipino rice porridge is perfect for those days when you want something easy yet filling. With tender chicken, a hint of ginger, and a flavorful broth, it’s the kind of dish that’s great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s hearty, satisfying, and has that soothing quality, much like the classic Filipino lugaw
Arroz Caldo is a Filipino Comfort Dish
Arroz caldo is a simple dish—just a handful of ingredients and one pot. It brings together rice, chicken, and ginger in a way that creates a warm, comforting meal. The key to its flavor is in the combination of ginger and garlic, which infuse the broth with a subtle spiciness. At the end, it’s topped with boiled egg, toasted garlic, and fresh green onions for added texture and flavor.
The Rice in Arroz Caldo
While traditionally made with glutinous rice, you can use regular white rice if that’s what you have on hand. The glutinous rice gives a thicker, more cohesive texture, while regular rice will result in a lighter consistency. Both versions are delicious in their own way, and it all depends on your personal preference.
A Touch of Ginger
What sets arroz caldo apart from other rice porridges is the ginger. It adds a gentle heat and aromatic quality to the dish, making it perfect for warming you up on a cold day. The ginger also pairs well with the chicken, creating a balance of flavors that’s simple yet satisfying.
Adding a Golden Touch with Turmeric Powder
A pinch of turmeric powder not only gives the Arroz Caldo a beautiful golden color but also brings a subtle earthy flavor. I love how it complements the ginger and garlic without overwhelming the dish. Plus, it comes with a bonus: turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s a healthy twist that still keeps the porridge warm and comforting!
Toppings for Extra Flavor
One of the best parts of arroz caldo is the toppings. Adding a boiled egg not only makes the dish more filling but also adds a different texture. Toasted garlic and green onions bring a bit of crunch and freshness, rounding out the dish nicely.
Enhancing Arroz Caldo with Fresh Celery
I love adding celery to my Arroz Caldo because it gives the dish a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that pairs beautifully with the ginger and garlic. The slight crunch it offers is a nice contrast to the soft rice, and as it cooks, it becomes tender without losing all of its texture. Not only does celery elevate the flavor, but it also adds a bit of extra nutrition, making the meal heartier and even more satisfying. It’s a simple addition that really enhances the whole experience!
Boosting Flavor with Minced Carrots
Sometimes, I like to add minced carrots to my Arroz Caldo for a bit of natural sweetness and color. This is totally optional, but the carrots blend into the dish while providing an extra layer of flavor and a bit of added nutrition. It’s an easy way to change things up without losing the comforting feel of the dish.
Cooking Tips for Arroz Caldo
Broth Base
Using homemade chicken broth is a great way to boost the flavor of arroz caldo. It adds both depth and richness to the dish. Personally, I like to use bone-in chicken pieces like drumsticks or thighs when making the broth. They release more flavor and nutrients as they simmer, making the broth even tastier.
To make it a bit healthier, you can toss in some vegetables like celery and onions while simmering the chicken. If you want to add carrots for a touch of natural sweetness and extra nutrients, go ahead, but it’s totally optional. Traditional arroz caldo doesn’t usually include carrots, so feel free to skip them if you prefer.
I like to simmer the chicken first to let all the flavors really develop before adding the glutinous rice. And for an extra umami punch, try adding a splash of fish sauce or soy sauce towards the end of cooking. This way, the rice absorbs all those delicious flavors, making the arroz caldo even more savory and satisfying.
Soaking the Glutinous Rice
A little trick I like to use is soaking the glutinous rice for about 20-30 minutes before cooking. This helps the rice cook more evenly and soak up all those delicious flavors from the broth. Plus, it cuts down on the cooking time a bit, which is always a bonus. You’ll end up with a creamier, more cohesive arroz caldo that has that perfect, comforting texture.
Ingredient Insights and Substitutes
- Adding Saffron: Saffron adds a beautiful golden hue and a subtle floral note that elevates the dish. If saffron is not available, a pinch of turmeric can be used as a color substitute, though it will slightly alter the flavor.
- Incorporating Celery: Including celery brings a mild, fresh taste and a slight crunch to the dish.
- Rice Choice: Glutinous rice is traditionally used for its stickiness, but regular white rice can be a good alternative if you prefer a less thick consistency. For a healthier twist, you could try using brown rice, though it will require a longer cooking time and more liquid.
Adjusting Texture and Flavor
- If you like a thicker arroz caldo, let it simmer longer to allow the rice to break down more. For a thinner consistency, simply add more water or broth.
Toppings and Serving Ideas
- The classic toppings like boiled eggs, toasted garlic, and spring onions are always a hit—they add so much flavor and texture to the dish. But if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, why not get creative? Try adding fried shallots or even some crispy chicken skin for an extra crunch. And for a little twist, a drizzle of sesame oil can give it a nice nutty aroma. You can also add a squeeze of lemon or calamansi for a hint of acidity that really brightens up the flavors.
Storage and Leftovers
- Got leftovers? No problem! Arroz caldo tends to thicken as it sits, so when storing it, just place it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to reheat, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up and bring it back to your desired consistency. This little trick helps make it just as delicious as when it was freshly made.
Preventing Sticking
- To keep the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot, just give it a stir every now and then while it simmers. It helps a lot! If you have a non-stick pot, that makes things even easier, but you can also add a little extra oil at the beginning to help prevent sticking.
Arroz Caldo with Celery
Ingredients
- 1 lb bone-in chicken (drumsticks or thighs)
- 1 cup glutinous rice, soaked for 20-30 minutes
- 4 cups water or homemade chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 thumb-sized ginger, julienned
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1/2 tsp saffron
- 2 tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 2 boiled eggs, halved
- 2 tbsp toasted garlic
- 2 stalks green onions, chopped
- Lemon or calamansi wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion, garlic, and ginger until they become fragrant and the onion is translucent.
- Add the chicken drumsticks to the pot and cook for a few minutes until they are lightly browned on all sides.
- Pour in the water or homemade chicken broth. Add the chopped celery and saffron (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the chicken to release its flavors into the broth.
- Add the soaked glutinous rice to the pot. Stir well to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom. Let it simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is soft and the porridge has thickened, about 30-40 minutes. If the mixture becomes too thick, add more water or broth as needed.
- Add fish sauce or soy sauce for extra umami if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Ladle the arroz caldo into bowls. Top each serving with a boiled egg half, toasted garlic, and chopped green onions. Serve with lemon or calamansi wedges on the side for a bit of acidity if desired.
Video
Notes
- Stir occasionally while simmering to prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- If using fish sauce or soy sauce, start with a small amount and adjust to taste. You can always add more later if needed.
- Customize your toppings: beyond the classic boiled eggs and toasted garlic, try adding crispy shallots, fried chicken skin, or even sesame oil for a nutty flavor.
- To reheat leftovers, simply add a bit of water or broth to restore the creamy consistency.
