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Arroz Imperial

A traditional Cuban party dish — Arroz Imperial is a majestic tower of golden rice, creamy shredded chicken and mayonnaise baked until the cheese on top blisters into a golden crust.

⏱ 40 minPrep time
🔥 50 minCook time
🍽 10Servings
🏷 Cuban KitchenCategory
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Arroz Imperial - Cubain recipe

A traditional Cuban party dish — Arroz Imperial is a majestic tower of golden rice, creamy shredded chicken and mayonnaise baked until the cheese on top blisters into a golden crust. It is the showstopper of Cuban birthdays and family gatherings, unmolded onto a platter and crowned with strips of roasted pimento. Every spoonful cuts through layers of rice, chicken and cheese — and it is never, ever small.

Perfect rice is the foundation here — our How to Cook Perfect Rice Every Time covers ratios, rinsing, and resting.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Season the chicken and simmer it in 4 cups (960 ml) of the broth until tender, about 25 minutes; remove it, shred the meat, and reserve the broth.
  2. In a large pot, heat the oil and cook the onion, bell pepper and garlic until soft, about 8 minutes.
  3. Stir in the tomato sauce, saffron and 2 cups (480 ml) of the reserved broth, and bring to a boil.
  4. Add the rice, season with salt, cover, and cook on low for 20 minutes, until tender; let it cool slightly, then fluff.
  5. Mix the shredded chicken with the mayonnaise, a pinch of salt and pepper, and half the cheese.
  6. Build the tower in a greased 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) dish: half the rice, the chicken mixture, then the remaining rice, pressing each layer firmly.
  7. Spread the remaining cheese over the top and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, until hot and golden.
  8. Rest for 10 minutes, run a knife around the edge, invert onto a platter, and garnish with the pimento strips.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Press each layer firmly or the tower will crumble when unmolded. For the classic look, decorate the top with a lattice of pimento strips before serving.

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Recipe details

Prep40 min
Cook50 min
Servings10
CategoryCuban Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →