Cuban Imperial Rice Dish

 

Cuban-Style Imperial Rice: A Classic with a Festive Touch

Looking for a Cuban recipe to impress your guests? Imperial rice is an elegant dish, full of flavor, with a presentation that steals the spotlight. In alternating layers of rice, chicken, cheese, and mayonnaise, this delight is finished au gratin in the oven. Ideal for family celebrations or Sunday lunches.

🍚 Ingredients to prepare the rice

  • 1 large whole chicken
  • 6 cups long-grain rice
  • ½ green bell pepper
  • 1 medium onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 ripe tomato
  • 1 teaspoon bijol
  • 1 packet of ground saffron
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon complete seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

 

 

👨‍🍳 Preparing the rice

Cook the chicken in plenty of water along with the whole onion, chopped tomato, bell pepper, garlic, bay leaves, and bijol. Once ready, remove the chicken and strain the broth. For the 6 cups of rice, use 8 cups of the resulting broth. Add the dry seasonings, incorporate the washed rice, and cook on low heat for 25 minutes. Shred the chicken, removing skin and bones.

🥘 Ingredients for the chicken filling

  • 1 shredded chicken (the same one previously cooked)
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 1 onion
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ can tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons dry cooking wine
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Dried parsley and black pepper to taste

🔥 Preparing the filling

Sauté the chopped vegetables in hot oil, adding the garlic at the end. Add salt, pepper, and parsley. When golden, add the tomato sauce and dry wine. Once the alcohol evaporates, mix in the shredded chicken and cook everything together for 15 minutes.

🧀 Ingredients for assembling the final dish

  • Cooked rice
  • Chicken filling
  • Mayonnaise
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 1 chorizo
  • 1 can roasted red peppers

🍽️ Assembly and baking

Use an oven-safe dish. Place a layer of rice, followed by mayonnaise, mozzarella cheese, and a bit of Parmesan. Then add the chicken filling, another layer of cheese, and a final layer of rice. Cover the surface with mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese.

Decorate with chorizo strips and roasted red peppers. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 °F until the cheese melts. Let it rest for 10 minutes and serve in slices as if it were a cake.

ℹ️ Additional Information

  • Servings: 10 portions
  • Total time: 1 h 30 min (rice and filling) + 1 h assembly + 15 min baking
  • Category: Rice
  • Cuisine: Cuban

💡 Tips for an amazing result

  • Use good-quality rice to prevent it from becoming mushy.
  • Don’t skip the gratin step: it's what gives it the imperial touch.
  • Refrigerate before cutting if you want firmer portions.

🏷️ Recommended tags

Cuban recipes, imperial rice, party dishes, Creole cuisine, traditional Cuban food

📢 Ready to give it a try?

Tell me about your experience in the comments, share this recipe on your social media, and don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for more Cuban culinary delights. Enjoy and long live the flavor!

For the Spanish version, visit: Arroz Imperial Cubano: Exquisita Receta para Fiestas y Encuentros Familiares.