Arroz caldo is a congee, so a rich chicken broth and a generous amount of fresh ginger are what lift it above plain wet rice. Toast the rice in the ginger-garlic fat before any broth goes in, then stir it often as it cooks. That coaxes the starch out into a thick, creamy porridge.
By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026
Prep15 min
Cook45 min
Makes6 servings
CuisineFilipino
Cost$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
Contains fish
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for6servings
Chicken thighs
Bone-in thighs simmer into tender meat and enrich the broth; shred them back in at the end.
Can you make Arroz Caldo in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert
Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.
Can you freeze Arroz Caldo? — Yes
Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.
Can you make Arroz Caldo ahead of time? — Yes
Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.
Is Arroz Caldo gluten-free? — Yes
Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.
Is Arroz Caldo vegan? — No
No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.
Community Notes
Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.
Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →