Alternative names | Chalakilis |
---|---|
Type | Soup |
Place of origin | United States |
Region or state | Guam |
Main ingredients | chicken, garlic, onion, toasted ground rice, and coconut milk (optional) |
Chalakiles is a Chamorro soup from Guam made with chicken, garlic, onion, toasted ground rice, and sometimes coconut milk.[1] Chalakiles can be the entrée or can be served before the main dish.[1] It is considered a comfort food.[1][2] It is often found at various Chamorro festivities.[3]
To prepare, the garlic is first sautéed in oil, then the garlic is discarded.[4] Onions, chicken, and achote water are added to the oil.[4] The achote provides both color and flavor.[2][5] The water is boiled and chicken broth is sometimes added.[4][6] Toasted ground rice is gradually mixed in.[1][4] To make the toasted ground rice, rice is cooked until golden brown and then ground.[1] Cream of Rice can be used as a substitute.[1] The mixture is boiled until it is thickened to a desired consistency.[4] Coconut milk is sometimes added.[4][6] It is served with white rice or as a soup by itself.[3][4] It is typically served hot.[3] Some variations of this recipe use crab meat and vegetables.[6]
Chalakiles is similar to rice porridge or Filipino arroz caldo, although chalakiles notably uses achote.[5] The recipe is often passed from generation to generation at an early age.[5]