Chicken Arroz Caldo (Filipino Rice Porridge)

Chicken Arroz Caldo is the ultimate Filipino comfort food. A thick, creamy rice porridge, with flavours of ginger, citrus, and garlic.

This is my mother's favourite dish. She asks me to cook for her every time I come to visit.

What is arroz caldo?

Arroz caldo is the Filipino answer to a comforting chicken soup. 

It is an aromatic rice porridge that is referred to by different names, depending on where in the Philippines you are. Other names for this dish are Goto, Pospas, or Lugaw.

It is also known as the famous Filipino rice soup.

The name of the dish comes from two Spanish words. "arroz" meaning "rice" and "caldo" meaning "broth".

This dish is actually an adaptation by Spanish settlers of the Chinese congee recipe. Congee is a plain rice porridge served as a main or side in China.

You will be able to find many different recipes for this dish across the Philippines. However, it is characterized by a ginger and chicken broth base and a variety of toppings that are added to the dish for serving, such as spring onions, boiled eggs, and limes.

How to make chicken arroz caldo

To make arroz caldo, we start by soaking the rice for 30 minutes. 

While the rice is soaking we sauté the garlic, onion, and ginger. Then add the chicken to brown it. 

The rice and liquid ingredients get added next, and it is time to simmer to cook the rice. 

As it cooks the rice will absorb the liquid and start to fall apart, creating a porridge-like consistency to the dish. 

We serve the porridge topped with spring onions, hard-boiled eggs, and calamansi. 

What is calamansi?

Calamansi is sometimes called Philippine lime or Philippine lemon. It is a citrus fruit hybrid cultivated mainly in the Philippines. 

Using lime in place of calamansi is a good substitute. 

Can I use a whole chicken to make arroz caldo?

You can use a whole chicken to make arroz caldo, in place of the leg or thigh pieces.

If using a whole chicken, first boil the whole chicken. Then remove the cooked meat and set it aside. You can use some in your arroz caldo, and the rest you can use for another meal. 

After you cook the meat and remove it, use the carcass with other vegetables to make homemade chicken stock.

While this method does take extra time, it will add extra flavour to your dish. And you can make at least two recipes using only one pot.

Can I make vegan arroz caldo? 

It is possible to make vegan arroz caldo. Simply replace the chicken and chicken stock with vegan options.

Although arroz caldo is traditionally a meaty dish, it is easy to modify it to a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Simply replace the chicken with mushrooms or crispy tofu. And replace the chicken stock with vegetable stock.

How to serve arroz caldo

In the Philippines, they eat this dish at various times of the day. It is a popular breakfast porridge, served as a snack between meals, or comes as a main dish for lunch or dinner.

The stew is portioned into individual bowls and served with various toppings. Some fresh lime juice, spring onion, and crispy fried garlic. If you like it spicy, you can top it with some chilies as well.

On the side, you serve soy sauce and fish sauce so the eater can adjust the seasonings to their liking.

Why are some arroz caldo yellow?

You find various different recipes for this Filipino rice porridge spread across the country.

Some recipes use a little saffron to flavour the porridge, which gives the rice a yellow tint. Others add a pinch of turmeric.

If you like, you can add a pinch of saffron to your rice porridge as it cooks.

Since arroz caldo is derived from Spanish cuisine, like the famous Spanish dish paella, it is common to add a strand of saffron to the rice to give it a yellow tint.

Is arroz caldo healthy?

This dish is often served to the elderly and ill because it is filling yet easy to digest.

The rice porridge is also good if you have a sore throat since the ginger has a soothing effect.

How to store leftover rice porridge

If you have any leftover rice porridge, leave the arroz caldo to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container and storing it in the fridge for up to three days.

It is best to store the rice stew and toppings separately.

To reheat the dish, place it in a saucepan and slowly reheat over medium-low heat, while stirring continuously. Be sure that the bottom does not burn. You can add a little water, as needed, until you achieve your desired consistency.

Can I freeze this rice soup? 

You can freeze the rice soup in an airtight container for up to three months.

Defrost it completely and reheat it on the stove. Again, you can add a little more water until you achieve your desired consistency.