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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Add cooked, shredded chicken to the skillet and incorporate the remaining ingredients, stirring thoroughly to create a cohesive and flavorful mixture.
- 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.
- Carefully pour the chicken and vegetable mixture over the tortilla layer, ensuring uniform distribution and complete coverage.
- Add a generous layer of shredded cheese on top of the chicken mixture to create a golden, melted surface during baking.
- 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.
- 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