Cozy up with a bowl of Rotisserie Chicken Arroz Caldo – the ultimate comfort food for chilly, rainy days. This dish is not just warm and hearty, but using rotisserie chicken adds a quick and flavorful twist to this classic comfort dish. 🍲🌧️✨
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During a recent trip to Costco, I found myself in a massive line at the Rotisserie section. Curious about the hype, I joined in, and let me tell you—it was worth it! That evening, we enjoyed juicy rotisserie chicken for dinner, and to my delight, I had some tasty leftovers—meat and bones galore!
Not one to waste, I gathered the remaining bits and bones and turned them into a steaming pot of Rotisserie Chicken Arroz Caldo. As it simmered, my kitchen filled with an irresistible aroma, offering the perfect remedy for those chilly, gray days. 🌧️🍲✨
If you're in the mood for something hot and comforting, this arroz caldo is just as satisfying as a warm pumpkin soup, chicken tinola, beef nilaga or classic sinigang!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe?
- Quick and Easy: Using rotisserie chicken makes this dish super convenient.
- Rich Flavors: The combination of broth, garlic, and ginger creates a deeply savory flavor.
- Comfort Food: Perfect for chilly nights or when you're feeling a bit under the weather.
- Customizable: Add your favorite toppings to make it your own.
- Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will love this creamy, hearty dish!
What is Arroz Caldo?
Arroz Caldo is a traditional Filipino rice porridge, pronounced "ah-ros kal-do." It originated from Spanish influences and is beloved across the Philippines. This dish typically features rice cooked in a flavorful broth, often spiced with ginger and garlic.
Originally known as "lugaw" in Filipino, which refers to a plain rice porridge, Arroz Caldo evolved as it absorbed local flavors and ingredients. Over time, it became a distinct Filipino comfort food, particularly enjoyed during cooler weather or as a soothing remedy for illnesses.
🥘Ingredients
- Garlic: Crushed garlic adds a savory depth of flavor and aroma to the dish.
- Onion: Chopped onion provides sweetness and complexity to the broth.
- Ginger: Sliced matchstick ginger adds a distinctive warmth and zingy freshness.
- Rotisserie Chicken: The pre-cooked rotisserie chicken adds convenience and rich flavor to the arroz caldo, infusing it with savory notes and tender meatiness.
- Chicken Broth: It serves as the flavorful base of the dish, imparting a rich and hearty taste while providing moisture and depth to the rice.
- Rice: A combination of regular rice and glutinous rice creates the desired creamy texture and thickness characteristic of arroz caldo.
- Chicken Powder: Intensifies the flavor in the broth, enhancing its richness and depth.
- Patis/Fish Sauce: Patis or fish sauce adds a salty umami flavor and a hint of complexity to the broth, balancing the dish's overall taste.
- Green Onions: Chopped green onions provide a fresh, aromatic finish to the dish, adding a pop of color and mild onion flavor as a garnish.
Substitution and Addition
- Brown Rice: For a healthier option, use brown rice instead of white rice.
- Vegetable Broth: Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
- Additional Proteins: Add cooked beef tripe, pork rinds or tofu for more protein.
- Herbs: Fresh cilantro can be sprinkled on top for extra freshness
🔪How to Make Chicken Arroz Caldo
- In a pot over medium heat, sauté crushed garlic, chopped onion, and sliced ginger until fragrant.
- Add the rice and glutinous rice and stir for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the broth, water, rotisserie chicken and bones (use only the large pieces so it's easier to remove it later). Let it simmer over medium heat until the rice grains are cooked and the mixture thickens.
- Sprinkle chicken powder over the simmering mixture and add fish sauce (patis) for seasoning. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference.
- Once the rice is fully cooked and the porridge reaches the desired consistency, stir in chopped green onions.
- Ladle it into bowls, garnish with additional green onions, fried garlic or jammy eggs if desired, and serve hot.
📖Variations of Arroz Caldo
- Lugaw: A plain and simpler version without the chicken, often served with a soft-boiled egg on top.
- Tokwat Baboy Arroz Caldo: Adding pork to the mix, providing a heartier flavor.
- Goto: A version that includes tripe (beef stomach) for added richness.
- Champorado: Fusing the savory with the sweet by combining chocolate-flavored rice porridge (champorado) with the traditional Arroz Caldo. Alternatively, ube champorado with coconut.
What to Serve With This?
- Boiled Eggs: Serve with soft-boiled or fried eggs for added protein and richness.
- Chicharrón: Crispy pork cracklings add a delightful crunch to your meal.
- Pancit: Pair with a side of pancit for a complete Filipino feast..
- Garlic Bread: A slice of garlic bread can be perfect for dipping in the savory broth.
- Calamansi wedges: Add a pop of citrus and acidity.
- Tokwa't baboy: Fried tofu and pork simmered in vinegar and garlic.
- Fried garlic: Extra crunch and savory depth.
- Patis (fish sauce): Enhance umami flavors.
- Chili oil: Adjust spice level to your preference.
♨️How To Reheat It
To reheat Rotisserie Chicken Arroz Caldo:
- Stovetop Method
- Transfer the desired portion of Arroz Caldo to a pot.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add a bit of water or broth if needed to adjust the consistency.
- Once heated through, serve hot.
- Microwave Method
- Place the desired amount of Arroz Caldo in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated.
- Be cautious not to overheat to maintain the porridge's desired texture.
Top Tips
Use Quality Broth: For the best flavor, opt for high-quality broth or homemade stock.
Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more broth as needed.
Let It Rest: Allow the arroz caldo to sit for a few minutes before serving; this helps the flavors meld together.
More Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipe
Here are some creative ways to turn your leftover into delicious meals:
- Chicken Enchiladas: Shred it and combine it with your favorite enchilada sauce and cheese for a crowd-pleasing meal.
- Chicken and Veggie Stir-Fry: Shred the chicken and stir-fry it with your favorite vegetables like broccoli, peppers, and onions. Add a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of honey. Serve over rice or noodles.
- Chicken Pastil: You can use leftover rotisserie chicken to create a delicious and unique take on this recipe. This is an easy and healthy choice!
- Chicken Macaroni Salad: Shred the chicken and combine it with cooked macaroni noodles, red onion, pineapple and mayonnaise.
💭Recipe FAQs
The name "arroz caldo" is Spanish ("warm rice"), but the dish itself is a beloved Filipino comfort food, evolved from Chinese-influenced congee with local ingredients and flavors.
Lugaw: Basic Filipino rice porridge, light & often eaten plain or with simple toppings. Think comfort food.
Arroz Caldo: Lugaw with ginger, chicken, and sometimes saffron, offering a richer, heartier broth with bold flavors.
Congee: Similar rice porridge in Chinese cuisine, often featuring meats, eggs, and spices for greater diversity in options.
Yes, arroz caldo is often recommended for sick individuals due to its comforting warmth and nourishing ingredients.
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Recipe
Rotisserie Chicken Arroz Caldo Recipe
Equipment
- 1 medium pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic crushed
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 thumbs of gingers sliced match sticks
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken cut into bite size pieces
- 2 cans 4 cups of chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- ¾ cup jasmine rice
- ¼ cup glutinous rice
- 1 tablespoon chicken powder
- 2 tablespoon patis/ fish sauce
- 3 stalks of green onions
Instructions
- In a pot over medium heat, sauté crushed garlic, chopped onion, and sliced ginger until fragrant.
- Add the rice and glutinous rice and stir for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth, water, rotisserie chicken and bones (use only the large pieces so it's easier to remove it later). Let it simmer over medium heat until the rice grains are cooked and the mixture thickens.
- Sprinkle chicken powder over the simmering mixture and add fish sauce (patis) for seasoning. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference.
- Once the rice is fully cooked and the porridge reaches the desired consistency, stir in chopped green onions.
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Notes
- Use Quality Broth: For the best flavor, opt for high-quality chicken broth or homemade stock.
- Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thinner consistency, add more broth as needed.
- Let It Rest: Allow the arroz caldo to sit for a few minutes before serving; this helps the flavors meld together.
Roselle says
This is easy to cook and best for cold weather. Flavorful and tasty, great recipe!
Rose Sioson says
Thanks Roselle!