Arroz Caldo is chicken rice soup, a staple in the Philippines. (And our house too.) The key to the excellent flavor of this Arroz Caldo is fresh ginger.
Hi friends, I hope you’re doing well today! I was planning to bake for the blog today. But I’ve got this Arroz Caldo on my mind instead and I’ll tell you why. If you follow along here you know I have four boys. My littlest, Hudson, has Down syndrome. He’s cute as a button and generous in so many ways. He share hugs, smiles, toys and even cookies.
Unfortunately for me, he also shares germs. And now I have his latest cold. So instead of baking today, I’m making this delicious soup instead. I just texted Jon to bring home the ingredients I still need – chicken, fresh ginger and chicken broth. Because I absolutely must have this Arroz Caldo when I’m sick. Seriously, I crave it!!! This is an outstanding soup and I hope you’ll try it too.
So I first posted Arroz Caldo when I had all of about seven subscribers here. Yeah. So I thought perhaps the rest of you should know about it too. It’s one of the easier soups to make in my recipe box. Not too many ingredients and so aromatic and flavorful.
Arroz Caldo is chicken rice soup, a staple in the Philippines. (And our house too.) The key to the excellent flavor of this Arroz Caldo is fresh ginger. The name Arroz Caldo literally means “rice porridge” or “rice soup.” I’m sharing this recipe today because it’s a quick, nourishing meal if you’re sick or to boost your immunities.
It’s so flavorful and my entire family prefers it to a traditional chicken and rice soup. Aromatic, pungent and spicy, ginger has many health benefits including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. But mostly, we just love how this soup tastes.
Arroz Caldo (Filipino Chicken Rice Soup)
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion chopped fine
- 2 tablespoons fresh peeled ginger chopped fine
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 4 uncooked boneless chicken breasts cut in 1 inch cubes
- 32 ounces chicken broth
- 1 cup rice already cooked
- 1 teaspoon salt
- dash white pepper
- splash lemon juice - 1-2 tablespoons to taste
- splash white wine - 1-2 tablespoons to taste
- lemon wedges and chopped green onions for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a soup kettle or Dutch oven, sauté the chopped onion and ginger in butter or olive oil.
- Add the uncooked chicken cubes and cook over low heat until chicken is cooked and tender.
- Add chicken broth and cooked rice.
- Season with the teaspoon salt, dash white pepper, lemon juice and white wine.
- Simmer gently for twenty minutes.
- Garnish bowls of soup with a lemon wedge and a sprinkle of chopped green onion.
Notes
Before chopping the ginger, remove the skin.Use the edge of a spoon with a gentle scraping motion to peel it off.
This recipe tastes great with crusty bread and a green salad.
You may also like: Hearty Italian Sausage Soup
Aunt Margie says
Soup looks marvelous! We all need December easy recipes. I chop onions underneath my stovetop fan. That way I don’t have to hunt for ski glasses! :~)
Allie Taylor says
Hunt? I just keep them hanging from my pan rack. (Just kidding.) Good idea ’bout the onions Auntie M!
Barbara Child says
You come up with such wonderful recipes! Thanks so much!
Lori M. says
I’ll make extra rice with dinner tonight, and then have this for dinner tomorrow night. Thanks for the inspiration!
Linda Jenkins says
Your timing is wonderful. I have been sick lately, and Jack has made several trips to the Athens Restaurant to bring me their thick chicken and rice soup. I always feel better after eating it. Now I can make my own delicious soup. Thanks, Allie.
Allie Taylor says
Sorry to hear you’re still not well, Linda. Hope you feel better very soon! XO
Aunt pinkie achor says
Soup looks marvelous. Must it be fresh ginger? Would it be possible to use just ‘regular’ ginger?
Allie Taylor says
Aunt Pinkie, I really do think the ginger needs to be fresh. I’ve never tried it with powdered, but the fresh is so wonderful, I don’t think I could use the other for this particular recipe.
Denise says
This looks delicious! I can’t wait to make it. I have RA so the anti-inflammatory properties will be a bonus!
Erin says
thank you for this recipe Allie. It is just what the doctor ordered!
Mary says
have made this more than once for my family since your first posting–we love it. Took it to a friend who was sick and yesterday she told me she was sure it was the soup that got her better-now everyone in our bible study wants the recipe 🙂
Allie says
Oh I love hearing that Mary, so glad you love it too. It’s definitely a favorite at our house!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
This sounds fantastic…we love cooking with ginger. I’m going to have to give this a try!
Carina says
Hi Allie, sorry to hear you are under the weather… Sounds like this delicious soup will help get you on the mend. Thanks for the inspiration. I love chicken rice soup, but never think of making it. Not sure why that is. Anyhow, I am definitely craving it now. Get better soon. Xo
Bresca says
What a great reminder — we enjoyed the recipe the first time you posted and many times after that, but I had temporarily forgotten. This is one of the girls’ favorites!
I use ginger paste (that comes in the same tubes as your basil paste in the last post), which is so easy and tastes great!
Allie says
Ginger paste??? Sounds like a real time saver! I will definitely check that out. Thanks Bresca, have a great day!
Kristen Chidsey says
Allie, this soup looks great–perfect for when you are under the weather or just on a chilly night! I would love to meet all 4 of your boys, especially Hudson–they sounds so precious, even when they do share germs!
Erin says
I must have been one of the original seven because I have always had at least one container of this in my freezer since you first posted it. We had it last night! I think it has helped us through a few colds along the way but we like it anytime. I even made it without the chicken for my brother – a vegetarian – when he was sick last weekend. Hope you & Hudson are feeling better soon. Miss you guys!
Allie says
Awww…that makes me happy Erin. You know I really do love this soup. It’s such a boost when you’re sick. Or not. Funny you had it last night too. I’m also going to have it today for lunch. I can use all the immune boosting I can get. We miss you too! xo
Melissa says
Hey Ali – I have never had Arroz Caldo but it looks really delicious. I love trying new flavors out. It would be the perfect winter warm-up.
Marye says
Om goodness. I think my go to sick day soup may have just been changed. This sounds wonderful!
Gaila says
Allie! I am sick too and there is nothing I crave most than soup when I am feeling sick! So I would really love a bowl of your arroz caldo, like now! 🙂
Allie says
Oh Gaila, you’re sick too. That’s rotten. Get well soon. Wish I could send a virtual cup of this soup.
Gaila says
🙂 Just the idea of a virtual huge bowl of this soup made me smile! so thank you Allie! feeling better already!
Judy says
Sorry that the sick bug has invaded your house, Allie! Wish I could cook you up a batch of this soup and run right over with it. Although I’ve never tried it, I’d like to. The ginger peeling tip sounds good, too. XOXO
Susie Mandel says
I must have missed this one the first time you posted it. So glad you posted it again! This is a cold winter’s day must have. 🙂
Christy Smith says
This week I made your Best Eva Ham and Cheese Soup for my Bible Study ladies and it got rave reviews! I am adding this soup to my Recipe list for next week! Can’t wait to try it. ?
Karen @ On the Banks of Salt Creek says
Yes! I wear ski goggles as well!
Ever since I stopped wearing contacts (because of corrective eye surgery) onions really bother me. For hours after my eyes sting and I have a headache. The goggles work wonders (although my guys like to tease me). Now that I have a new fan I turn that on and it helps too.
Hope you are feeling better soon. I’m sure this wonderful soup will help.
Allie says
Thanks Karen, hoping to be turning the corner soon. You know they sell onion goggles at fine kitchen stores. I think they’re about $20. Which is why I thought of the ski goggles. We have plenty of those here in NH!!! YES!!!! The fan. The new WOLF fan. EEK!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Allie, thanks for introducing me to arroz caldo – reading that ingredient list makes me crave it too! Lemmon and wine and ginger – yup – sign me up for seconds please! Or rather I should say, I’ll bring you seconds as you are the one who’s ill! Winter colds sure are nasty – I so hope you are feeling better soon and also hoping Hudson is over this nasty bug too! xo
Simone says
All I can say is: YUM!!! This one is a keeper.
Prayers for you & Hudson to get better soon.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Oh no, Allie! I am so sorry you are under the weather! I hope you feel better soon, my dear! Believe it or not I have never had Arroz Caldo! But I love chicken and ginger! Obviously I need to whip this together immediately, because I have been feeling not so hot the past few days either. Cheers my dear and virtual hugs!
Barbara child says
This soup sounds wonderful! Will try it when I get home. Missing you !
Aunt Pinkie says
Will have to get fresh ginger at Roots (our farmer’s market) next Tuesday -can’t wait to try this. Hope you’re feeling better some n! Thanks for another good recipe!
Lisa says
This looks so delicious – reminds me a little of Greek Lemon chicken soup, which I adore. I have a little cold and could really use a bowl of this right now! I may have to make a pot tomorrow.
David @ Cooking Chat says
you really wear ski goggles chopping onions? wow, that’s commitment!
Mandi Korn says
Looks yummy, I may have to refer to your recipe the next time we are sick in our house…..knock on wood
Catherine says
Dear Allie, you had me at fresh ginger…one of my very favorites and it cures all! I put it in my seltzer or my tea. I always have it on hand. This soup sounds wonderful and comforting no matter how you feel! I would love a bowl now. I hope you and Hudson feel better soon! Love and hugs, Catherine xoxo
Megan Keno says
This is such a good idea! I love the flavors!
Eva says
Aujourd’hui a plu toute la journée ici, j’aimerais bien un bol de ton arroz caldo, so comfort! J’espère que le petit Hudson soit déjà en forme ! xo
Cynthia M says
Our new favorite soup. I’ve made it twice this week!
Allie says
So glad Cynthia – we really love it too. It’s that fresh ginger I think. Have a great summer!
Michelle Darky says
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