Imperial Rice
Prep
30-60 mins
Total
2 HRS 10 MIN
Servings
10 Servings
Ingredients
2 lb
boneless chicken breasts
2 tbsp
concentrated powdered chicken bouillon or 2 chicken bouillons
1 large
onion, finely chopped, divided into thirds
2
bay leaves, divided
2 whole
garlic cloves
4
garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided
2 tbsp
olive oil
4 cups
long-grain white rice
1 tsp
sweet paprika, divided
1/4 cup
stuffed pimento-stuffed green olives, sliced
1 can
(8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 pkg
(8 oz.) Shredded Mozzarella Cheese with a TOUCH OF PHILADELPHIA
1/2 cup
Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese
1
pimento, cut into strips
1 can
(8.5 oz.) sweet peas, drained
0
Cooking spray
Instructions
Step 1
Cook chicken breasts in a medium pot in 8 cups of water, chicken broth concentrate, a third of the onion, 1 of the bay leaves and 3 cloves of garlic. Bring to a boil and cook over medium- low heat 40 minutes. Once cooked, remove chicken and strain and reserves the broth where you cook the chicken, you will use 7 cups of broth to prepare the rice. Cool and shed chicken; set aside.
Step 2
Start preparing the rice in a large pot. Add 1 Tbsp. of the oil and cook and stir one third of the onion and 1 chopped clove of garlic. Add the reserved 7 cups of chicken broth from cooking the chicken. Incorporate the rice, 1/2 tsp. of the paprika and season to the taste. Once it boils reduce heat to medium low. Cover and cook until the rice is completely cooked.
Step 3
Meanwhile, in a large skillet add remaining oil, the remaining onion, the remaining chopped garlic, the paprika and the bay leave, olives, shredded chicken and tomato sauce. Simmer 20 minutes or until the liquid evaporates.
Step 4
Preheat oven 350°F. You will need a rectangular 14 x9 or 13 x 9 inch baking dish (2 inches deep) which has been sprayed with cooking spray. Remember you are going to layer it as if it was a potato pie, lasagna or sandwich. Measure and reserve a 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture, 1/4 cup of the peas and a few of the pimiento strips.
Step 5
Spread a layer of rice in baking dish, top with the chicken mixture, then half of the cheeses and the peas. Top with another layer of rice and finish by decorating the center with the reserved chicken, peas, the pimiento strips. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Cover with aluminum foil.
Step 6
Bake 15 minutes, uncover and bake until cheeses are melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.