Chicken Arroz Caldo Recipe

Origin of the Dish: Chicken Arroz Caldo

Chicken Arroz Caldo is a dish of Chinese origin. It is a Filipino rice porridge variation heavily infused with ginger and scallions. It is typically garnished with black pepper and hard-boiled egg. Although it's of Chinese origin, the name Arroz Caldo comes from Spanish words due to pronunciation issues: arroz means rice and caldo means broth. Arroz Caldo is a type of lugaw (porridge) that typically uses glutinous rice (malagkit) but can also be cooked with regular rice and excess water. The chicken pieces are sautéed with ginger, onion, and garlic. When it turns light brown, the glutinous rice is added and mixed thoroughly, then excess water is added. It is continuously stirred and then simmered for a few minutes until cooked.

When is Arroz Caldo Typically Served?

Arroz Caldo is considered a comfort food by Filipinos and is typically eaten for breakfast or snacks during cold months, the rainy season, or even by sick or bedridden people. It is served and eaten hot since it thickens when left to cool. No worries about leftovers since it can be reheated; just add a little bit of water and season with salt to match the taste.

Kitchen Utensils You Need

Here are the utensils you need to prepare and cook Arroz Caldo at home:

• Chopping board
• Cutting knife
• Bowls
• Cooking pan
• Ladle
• Serving bowl

Chicken Arroz Caldo’s Primary Ingredients – Glutinous Rice, Chicken, and Ginger

Chicken Arroz Caldo is primarily made with glutinous rice, chicken, and ginger. These are the three main ingredients that should not be missing if you’re cooking this dish. If you want to nix the chicken, you can simply make Arroz Caldo with glutinous rice and some spices like ginger and spring onions.

Glutinous rice is a type of rice mostly cultivated in Asian countries. It is now exported worldwide and is very available at your nearest stores. It is also called “sticky rice” because its consistency becomes thick or sticky when cooked. In Asian countries, they usually use glutinous rice to make delicacies and snacks. It is sometimes ground to make flour used in making delicacies such as palitaw, bibingka, and more.

Another important ingredient of this porridge recipe is ginger. It brings a good aroma to your Arroz Caldo. Ginger is a flowering plant, and its roots are used in dishes as a spice. It is available at common stores nearby. In terms of its benefits, ginger is loaded with antioxidants, which prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. It may also help your body fight chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart diseases, and lung problems. Additionally, it promotes healthy aging.

Interesting Facts

• Rice is the oldest known food that is still widely consumed today. Archaeologists can date its consumption back to 5000 BC.
• Rice is grown on every continent except Antarctica.
• Room temperature cooked rice spoils easily, so to avoid that, you can store rice in the fridge, where it may last for up to a week.

Tips and Tricks

• When you have cool leftovers of Arroz Caldo, transfer it to a sealed container and put it in the fridge for a few days.
• For reheating Arroz Caldo, use a pot. Just add a little bit of water (since it tends to get sticky when cold). Be sure to stir it regularly to prevent burning.
• When cooking Arroz Caldo, the proportion of rice to water should be 1:1.5.

Regardless of where you’re from, I believe most of us can agree on how comforting a bowl of chicken soup with rice can be. It is often given to us by our parents and is highly recommended by our grannies when we are sick because of its tasty and flavorful chicken, made extra delicious with spices like ginger. This dish is also perfect for a midday snack or a light meal.