Arroz caldo is a Filipino congee in which rice and chicken are boiled in a large amount of water until the rice softens significantly. In addition to onions and ginger; saffron, black peppers and fish sauce may be added to give this rice dish more flavors. This dish is often served as a meal on its own.
Arroz caldo is one of my comfort food to have on a cold rainy day. I usually make this rice dish to my kids when they were growing up or when they are sick, as it is a mild and easily digestible food. My favorite way of eating arroz caldo is to add a hint of lemon juice and garnish it with chopped green onions. Enjoy!
Arroz Caldo (Filipino Style Congee)
Ingredients
- 2 lbs skinless chicken thighs or any chicken pieces of your choice
- Salt and Pepper
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 thumb-size ginger, cut into strips
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce or salt
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice, washed and drained
- 1/8 teaspoon saffron (optional)
- 7 cups water
- 4 hard boiled eggs
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a heavy pan over medium high heat. Add ginger and onion and saute until onion has softened.
- Add chicken pieces, stir and cook for 5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink.
- Add fish sauce and stir to combine flavor.
- Add rice and saffron, if using. Stir to combine.
- Add water; stir to mix ingredients. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken is tender.
- Add hard boiled eggs. Correct seasonings with fish sauce or salt.
- Serve with chopped green onions and lemon wedges.
Nutrition
Not only did I love this recipe; my roommate loved it too, and he hates vegetables! (I didn’t have green onions/scallions or lemons, so I added peas at the end instead.)
That’s awesome! Glad that both you and your roommate love this recipe. Take care!
My method of cooking this dish is just my own “discovery”. I use left overs Lechon Manok, Rotisserie Chicken or Boiled Chicken. I de-boned the chicken pieces for convenience and saving time of cooking and preparations. When its done and still really smoking hot…I turn off the heat and ladle it to bowls and sometimes add some chicharon, fresh baby spinach, frozen okra, for toppings> along with slices of half boiled eggs, crispy fried garlic, sliced lemon, lime or calamansi juice (in packets) , patis (fish sauce) some of my guests prefer soy sauce 🙂 LOLS…to each his/her own :)prefernce I guess…) …and chopped green onions on the side (where guests can have their choice of toppings).
meron na rin pong fish sauce sa Walmart.
Oo nga 🙂
where can you buy the fish sauce added to arroz caldo?
Hi,
Fish sauce can be bought at any Asian grocery store and some local supermarkets. Here in Vancouver, BC, you can buy it at T&T, Hen Long, Real Canadian Superstore and if I am not mistaken Wal-Mart and Safeway.