Chicken Arroz Caldo Recipe: Authentic Filipino Comfort Food

The ultimate in comfort food, this Chicken Arroz Caldo is like a warm hug in a bowl and perfect for any meal in any season. Steeped in Filipino culture (albeit Spanish in its name), it is loaded with the most nourishing ingredients and packed with flavor. 

The first time I had this dish was when I was postpartum with my second child. My friend and ultimate support system, Mercy, made me the most delicious and nourishing meal, Arroz Caldo. I was so blown away by the flavors and found it so comforting that I knew it needed to become a regular staple in my home. And as it turns out, my husband’s family (who are 1st generation Filipino Americans) had their own family version of the recipe that I’m honored to share with you now. An extra bonus? This dish cooks and stews in one pot, making it a true one-pot meal.

If you’re looking for more Filipino recipes, check out these Filipino chicken adobo and chicken pancit recipes.

What is Arroz Caldo?

Arroz Caldo, which literally means “warm rice,” is rice congee that is a native dish to the Philippines. It was originally introduced through the migrant Chinese-Filipino community, has evolved over the years, and is a common dish in every Filipino home. Many Filipino dishes, last names (like my married name, Guevara), and parts of the native Tagalog language get their Spanish influence from the Spanish conquest that took place in the Philippines in the 1500s. 

It is commonly enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or snack throughout the day, but is also perfect for cold weather days, when in a time of healing (this makes for the perfect postpartum meal, like my friend, Mercy, made me the first time I had it), or a delicious family dinner.  

Ingredients Needed

The ingredients for this chicken arroz caldo are humble and fresh, making for the most nourishing and tasty meal. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• ¼ cup of fresh ginger, minced
• 2 pounds of chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cubed
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ¼ teaspoon of pepper
• 3 tablespoons of fish sauce
• 1 cup of jasmine rice, uncooked
• 6 cups of chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Hard-boiled egg, for garnish
• Green onion, for garnish
• Fried garlic, for garnish
• Lemon wedge, for garnish

Ingredient Modifications and Variations

• Change up the chicken – most traditional Arroz Caldo recipes actually call for bone-in chicken, but we love using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the ease and convenience without compromising on flavor. Cooking with bone-in meat delivers extra nutrients into the dish, so feel free to sub the boneless, skinless chicken thighs for bone-in, or use whole chicken parts (wings, legs, thighs, breasts, etc.). You’ll just take the bones out and shred the meat after it’s finished cooking before you eat the meal.
• Decrease the fish sauce – another super common ingredient in Asian cuisine, fish sauce, adds a delicious depth of flavor, umami, and salt to the dish (it’s actually a great lower-sodium option if you’re trying to reduce your salt intake). If you’re sensitive to the flavor, feel free to decrease the amount and adjust the salt in the dish to your preference.
• Use a different rice – we used jasmine rice here, but you can use your rice of choice. Any long-grain rice (i.e., Basmati, jasmine, long-grain white and brown rice) will cook up the same. If you use a shorter grain, the dish will definitely be thicker in consistency from the starchier nature of the rice.

How to Cook

Mincing the garlic and ginger is honestly the part of this dish that takes the longest, but it is well worth it to use the fresh ingredients, for the flavor is out of this world! But as for the cooking, it all comes together in one pot and is truly such an easy meal. Here’s how you’ll make it:

1. Cook the aromatics  – heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and saute for 5 minutes until fragrant. 
2. Add the chicken – add the chicken, salt, and pepper to the pot with the onion mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
3. Add the fish sauce and rice – add the fish sauce and toss to coat. Then add the rice and stir.
4. Add the broth and lemon – pour the chicken broth and lemon juice into the pot and bring to a boil.
5. Simmer – reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Garnish – garnish with a hard-boiled egg, sliced green onion, fried garlic, and a squeeze of lemon. 
7. Serve and enjoy!

How to Make Toasted Garlic

To make the crispy, fried garlic, mince 4-5 cloves of garlic. Heat olive oil in a saute pan (enough to add a couple inches of oil to the pan) over high heat. Add the garlic and stir continuously until golden brown in color. Drain and enjoy!!

Topping Suggestions

While optional, the garnishes for this dish are highly recommended and add another dimension of flavor, freshness, and nutrients to the dish. Here are the most common toppings for Arroz Caldo:

• Hard-boiled egg
• Crispy, fried garlic
• Sliced green onion
• Lemon or calamansi (Philippine lime) wedge
• Drizzle of fish sauce
• Drizzle of saffron or sesame oil

Tips and Tricks

• Don’t skimp on the fresh ingredients – the bulk of the flavor comes from the fresh garlic, ginger, and onions in the dish, so for those reasons, we do not recommend subbing for dried.
• Add more broth for a “soup-like” texture – the dish will be more soup-like when it first finishes cooking. Over time, it will thicken more and become more congee-like as the rice continues to absorb more liquid. If you want it to be more soup-like, you can add an additional couple of cups of chicken broth.

How to Store and Reheat

To store your Arroz Caldo, allow it to cool, then store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight container. We recommend separating it out into individual portions and freezing it that way so it’s easier to remove and reheat when you’re in need of a comforting meal. 

Frequently Asked Questions

More Favorite Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Tinga Tacos
• Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta
• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
• Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
• Homemade Ramen Recipe
• How to Make Thai Green Curry with Chicken
• Sheet Pan Sticky Sweet and Sour Chicken