Arroz Caldo (Filipino Chicken Rice Porridge)

Personal Note

“On Guam, my dad would take us to a street vendor who ladled this gingery, soul-warming porridge into styrofoam cups. Now, whenever someone’s sick, we make arroz caldo. It’s a warm hug in a bowl.” —Lexa

👩‍💼 Submitted by Lexa, Administrative Assistant, Dean of the Faculty Office
📍 Home Country: Guam (U.S. territory)
🍽 Serves: 6
🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 50 minutes
🌱 Dietary Info: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

• 1 (3–4 lb) whole chicken, cut into pieces (or boneless, skinless thighs – not breasts!)
• 1 tbsp neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or olive)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and minced (don’t sub with dried)
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 3 cups water
• 3 cups chicken stock
• Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings

• 3 medium boiled eggs (7½-minute jammy eggs), halved
• ¼ cup fried garlic bits
• ¼ cup chopped green onions
• Calamansi or lemon wedges
• Extra fish sauce and soy sauce for serving

Fried Garlic Bits

• ½ cup neutral oil
• 1 head garlic, thinly sliced

Instructions

• Trim and rinse chicken. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
• Add onion, garlic, and ginger. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
• Add chicken pieces. Cook until lightly browned. Stir in fish sauce and simmer for 1–2 minutes.
• Add uncooked rice. Stir frequently until lightly toasted.
• Pour in water and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, skimming off scum from the top.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for ~40–50 minutes until rice breaks down and forms a porridge-like consistency.
• Season with salt and pepper.

To Serve

Ladle into bowls and top with halved eggs, green onions, and fried garlic. Serve with calamansi or lemon wedges and extra sauces on the side.

Fried Garlic Bits Tip

Fry sliced garlic in neutral oil until golden, then drain and store in a dry container. Adds irresistible crunch and aroma.

Cultural Context

Arroz caldo is an everyday Filipino comfort food—especially popular during rainy days or whenever someone’s feeling under the weather. Think of it as the ultimate chicken soup.