Filipino Arroz Caldo
Arroz Caldo is a comforting Filipino rice porridge, often enjoyed for breakfast or when feeling under the weather. It features rice slowly cooked in a savory, ginger-infused broth until it breaks down into a thick, gruel-like consistency, typically with chicken pieces and garnished with fried garlic, scallions, and a squeeze of calamansi or lemon.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is primarily a carbohydrate-rich meal from the rice, with moderate protein from the chicken. It provides key nutrients like B vitamins and minerals from the broth, and a typical serving contains roughly 300-400 calories, making it a warming, energy-sustaining option.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 40 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 850 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Iron | 2.5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4.5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Zinc | 1.8 mg |
| Selenium | 12 mcg |
Per 1 bowl (400 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Arroz Caldo is a beloved comfort food in the Philippines, often associated with care and recovery, similar to chicken soup in other cultures. Its name comes from the Spanish 'arroz caldo' (hot rice), reflecting the historical influence of Spanish cuisine on Filipino cooking.
