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Arroz Caldo (Filipino Chicken and Rice Soup) Recipe

Joshua Bousel
Published: Last Updated:
Arroz Caldo (Filipino Chicken and Rice Soup) Recipe

Arroz caldo is a flavorful Filipino chicken congee seasoned with onion, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce. [Photographs: Joshua Bousel]

Arroz caldo is a hearty Filipino congee made with chicken and rice and seasoned with onion, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce and topped with crunchy fried garlic. The result is a quick, comforting bowl that's a perfect wintertime meal (and rivals chicken soup for its ability to sooth those suffering from a cold).

Why this recipe works:

  • Starting the garlic in room-temperature oil and slowly increasing the heat crisps it without burning.
  • Chicken thighs add more flavor and stay more tender compared to breast meat.
  • Fish sauce adds a robust, savory flavor to the dish.

Note: While we prefer this dish with tender chicken thighs, you can substitute an equal quantity of breast meat. Calamansi, a very sour citrus fruit, is typical in Filipino cooking, but can be hard to find fresh; fresh lime or key lime works well in its place.

Read more: How to Make Arroz Caldo: Filipino Chicken Soup for the Soul

  • Yield:Serves 4
  • Active time: 25 minutes
  • Total time:45 minutes
  • Rated: 4.75

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup canola oil, divided
  • 1/4 cup freshly minced garlic (about 12 medium cloves), divided
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon freshly minced ginger
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (see note)
  • 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 1 cup uncooked jasmine rice
  • 6 cups homemade chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  • 1 tablespoon calamansi, key lime, or lime juice (see note)
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, cut into 1/4-inch slices (optional)
  • 2 fresh limes or calamansi, quartered

Directions

  1. 1.

    Place 1/2 cup of oil and two-thirds of the garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic turns light golden brown. Transfer garlic to fine mesh strainer and drain. Spread garlic out on a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

  2. 2.

    Heat remaining oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add ginger and remaining garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Add chicken and cook until browned all over. Stir in fish sauce and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add rice and stir until well coated.

  3. 3.

    Stir in chicken stock, running spoon along bottom of Dutch oven to release any browned bits. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until rice is completely tender and stock has thickened, about 20 minutes. Stir in lime or calamansi juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  4. 4.

    Ladle arroz caldo into bowls. Top with scallions, fried garlic, and egg slices, if using. Serve immediately with additional lime or calamansi wedges on the side.

This Recipe Appears In
How to Make Arroz Caldo: Filipino Chicken Soup for the Soul

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