Arroz Caldo with Celery

Arroz Caldo with Celery is a comforting Filipino rice porridge made with tender chicken, garlic, ginger, and glutinous rice. The addition of celery adds a refreshing twist, enhancing the dish with subtle flavor and crunch. This hearty, warming meal is perfect for cold days or when you're in need of something soothing and nutritious. It’s a simple yet flavorful dish that can be easily customized to your taste.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 40

Total Time 45

Course Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Filipino

Servings servings

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.

Keyword Celery in Arroz Caldo, Chicken rice porridge, Filipino rice porridge

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