The Ultimate King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe Everyone Loves

King ranch chicken casserole stands as a quintessential comfort food that captures the heart of southwestern cuisine with its robust flavors and creamy texture.

Layers of tender chicken, zesty seasonings, and melted cheese create a mouthwatering harmony that feels like a warm embrace.

Generations of families have cherished this hearty dish, which upgrades simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that transcends ordinary weeknight meals.

Its rich, bold profile suggests a complex backstory rooted in texas ranch culture and home cooking traditions.

Sophisticated yet unpretentious, this casserole represents more than just a recipe—it’s a celebration of community and connection around the dinner table.

Packed with protein and bursting with southwestern charm, the dish offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes that satisfy deep hunger and emotional comfort.

Prepare to fall in love with a casserole that promises pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

How to Assemble King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Step 1: Prepare Vegetables

Grab a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Sauté diced bell peppers and onions for 5 minutes until they become soft and slightly translucent.

Step 2: Create Chicken Mixture

• Cream of chicken soup
• Cream of mushroom soup
• Rotel tomatoes
• Sour cream
• Chicken broth
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything together and remove from heat.

Step 3: Layer Casserole Base

Lightly grease a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Tear corn tortillas into pieces and create an even layer covering the bottom of the dish.

Step 4: Add Chicken Filling

Spread the prepared chicken and vegetable mixture evenly over the tortilla layer.

Step 5: Top with Cheese

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the entire casserole surface.

Step 6: Bake Casserole

Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are slightly golden brown.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the dish set and makes it easier to scoop.

Serving Suggestion: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for added flavor and color.

Tips to Keep King Ranch Chicken Casserole Creamy

• Maximize Flavor Depth: Choose rotisserie chicken for richer, more developed taste and save significant cooking time.
• Perfect Tortilla Technique: Tear tortillas into rustic pieces instead of cutting for better texture and more appetizing appearance.
• Cheese Melting Trick: Allow shredded cheese to reach room temperature before sprinkling to ensure smooth, even melting across the casserole.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld beautifully before baking.
• Moisture Control: Let casserole rest 10 minutes after baking to help set and make serving easier, preventing soggy or falling-apart portions.

Storing and Reheating King Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Refrigerate: Store leftover King Ranch Chicken Casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the dish will keep fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Frozen casserole maintains quality for up to 2 months when stored in a freezer-safe container.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and ensure even heating. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture if needed.

Great Pairings with King Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Pair with Crisp Zinfandel: A bold, fruity red wine cuts through the rich, creamy casserole, balancing its hearty tex-mex flavors with a smooth finish.
• Serve alongside Cilantro-Lime Slaw: A fresh, tangy coleslaw adds bright crunch and acidity to complement the casserole's warm, cheesy texture.
• Cool Down with Mexican Cerveza: A cold, light beer like Corona or Dos Equis refreshes the palate and matches the dish's southwestern profile, enhancing every savory bite.
• Finish with Mexican Chocolate Pudding: A spiced chocolate dessert echoes the casserole's southwestern roots, providing a sweet counterpoint to the meal's rich, creamy elements.

New Takes on King Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Spicy Southwest Spin: Amp up the heat by adding diced jalapeños and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture. Swap regular tortillas for pepper jack cheese-infused tortillas for an extra kick.
• Seafood Swap: Replace chicken with succulent shrimp or crab meat for a coastal-inspired version. Mix in some Old Bay seasoning and fresh cilantro to enhance the oceanic flavors.
• Green Chile Fusion: Incorporate roasted green chiles and swap out some of the cream-based sauce with salsa verde. Top with queso fresco and chopped green onions for a vibrant, tangy profile.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with black beans, roasted corn, and diced sweet potatoes. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and add extra bell peppers for a hearty plant-based alternative.

Love King Ranch Chicken Casserole for Layers and Comfort

• Burst with Southwestern Comfort: This casserole delivers a hearty, soul-warming meal packed with bold Tex-Mex flavors that instantly transport you to a cozy kitchen in Texas.
• Effortless One-Pan Wonder: Perfect for busy home cooks, this recipe requires minimal prep and cleanup, combining chicken, tortillas, and rich ingredients into a simple yet impressive dish that feeds a crowd.
• Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, adding extra spices, or incorporating different cheeses to make this casserole uniquely yours while maintaining its classic southwestern charm.
• Maximum Flavor, Minimal Effort: The sautéed vegetables and layered ingredients create a complex taste profile that seems sophisticated but comes together in just 45 minutes, making it a weeknight dinner superhero.

Ingredients for a Flavorful King Ranch Chicken Casserole

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the hearty base of the casserole, preferably using shredded or diced cooked chicken breast.

• Bell Pepper, Onion: Fresh vegetables that add flavor, texture, and nutritional value to the dish, with bell peppers providing sweet crunch and onions offering depth of flavor.

• Tortillas: Corn or flour tortillas that create layers and add traditional Tex-Mex texture to the casserole.
• Cream of Chicken Soup, Cream of Mushroom Soup: Creamy base ingredients that help bind the casserole and provide rich, savory undertones.
• Ro-Tel Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes with green chilies that add moisture, tanginess, and a slight kick of heat.
• Sour Cream: Creamy ingredient that adds richness and helps create a smooth, cohesive texture.
• Cheese: Sharp cheddar or Mexican blend cheese that melts beautifully and provides a golden, crispy top layer.
• Chili Powder, Cumin: Warm spices that contribute authentic southwestern flavor profile to the dish.

King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

King Ranch Chicken Casserole brings Texan comfort to dinner tables with layers of shredded chicken, creamy sauce, and melted cheese. Hearty tortillas and bold spices create a southwestern classic that wraps warmth and flavor into one satisfying dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 12 corn tortillas, torn into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Seasoning and Soup Base:

• 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomato and green chiles (such as Rotel)
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 pinches garlic powder
• 2 pinches ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23 centimeters) baking dish to prepare for the casserole assembly.
2. In a large skillet heated to medium-high, sauté diced bell peppers and chopped onions until they become soft and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Add cooked, shredded chicken to the skillet and incorporate the remaining ingredients, stirring thoroughly to create a cohesive and flavorful mixture.
4. Create the first layer of the casserole by gently tearing tortillas and spreading them evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish, covering the entire surface.
5. Carefully pour the chicken and vegetable mixture over the tortilla layer, ensuring uniform distribution and complete coverage.
6. Add a generous layer of shredded cheese on top of the chicken mixture to create a golden, melted surface during baking.
7. Place the assembled casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the edges appear slightly crispy and golden brown.
8. Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving to help the layers set and make cutting easier.

Notes

• Meal prep this casserole ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, allowing flavors to meld together beautifully.
• Choose rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving shortcut that adds incredible depth of flavor to the dish.
• Customize heat levels by selecting mild or spicy Ro-Tel tomatoes and adjusting jalapeño pepper quantities.
• Shred cheese freshly for maximum melting potential and superior taste compared to pre-packaged shredded cheese.
• Serve with cool, creamy accompaniments like sour cream or fresh guacamole to balance the casserole’s rich and warm flavors.
• Leftovers reheat wonderfully in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, maintaining the original crispy tortilla texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg