If there’s a single comfort food that captures the heart of Texas home cooking, it’s the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe. This crave-worthy classic layers tender chicken, melty cheese, zesty tomatoes, and aromatic veggies all in one soul-warming dish. Whether you’re feeding a family on a chilly night or need a guaranteed hit for a potluck, this hearty casserole never fails to spark joy. Every scoop is savory, creamy, and just the right amount of spicy—a true taste of Tex-Mex tradition.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe is its straightforward list of pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one has a role to play—bringing richness, color, a kick of spice, or a melting layer of ooey-gooey satisfaction. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few tips to make the flavors shine.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the vegetables sauté perfectly.
- Onion: Diced for a sweet, savory base that deepens flavor as it cooks.
- Green Bell Pepper: Offers crispness and a pop of color; any bell pepper variety works.
- Garlic: Minced for a pungent boost that builds bold flavor from the start.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Delivers creamy texture and brings all the ingredients together.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds earthy undertones and classic casserole richness.
- Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: Use Rotel or a similar brand for that signature Tex-Mex flavor and a little heat.
- Chili Powder: Provides gentle spice and a smokey warmth throughout the casserole.
- Ground Cumin: Earthy, aromatic, and essential for that unmistakable Southwestern flair.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Simply enhance and balance all the flavors in the bake.
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: The heart of the dish—rotisserie chicken makes this even easier and more flavorful.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Perfect for meltiness and sharp flavor on every layer.
- Corn Tortillas: Cut into quarters, they soak up the sauce and add authentic texture.
- Sour Cream (optional): Swirl into the casserole or dollop on top for creaminess.
- Chopped Fresh Cilantro (for garnish): Offers a burst of freshness and color to finish.
How to Make King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 to 7 minutes until the veggies are soft and fragrant. This first step sets the foundation for deep, savory flavor in your King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe, so give it the love it deserves.
Step 2: Build the Creamy Sauce
Pour in the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and the can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir until it’s silky smooth and well combined. Let it heat through for a few minutes, filling your kitchen with mouthwatering Tex-Mex aromas.
Step 3: Add the Chicken
Stir the cooked shredded chicken right into the sauce, making sure every piece gets coated in creamy goodness. This step ensures your King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe is hearty and full of flavor in every single bite.
Step 4: Layer the Casserole
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to keep everything from sticking. Place one-third of the corn tortilla quarters in the bottom, overlapping slightly. Top with one-third of the chicken mixture, then sprinkle over one-third of the shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat these layers two more times, ending with a gorgeous layer of cheddar to form a bubbly, golden crown.
Step 5: Bake and Finish
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is gorgeous, melty, and just starting to brown at the edges. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before slicing—this makes serving much easier and lets the flavors settle perfectly.
How to Serve King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
A dollop of sour cream brings an extra layer of richness, while a shower of freshly chopped cilantro adds brightness and a pop of color. You can also scatter a few sliced jalapeños for more heat or crumble a handful of tortilla chips on top for crunch. Whatever you choose, these little touches make your King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe look as great as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This casserole is a natural companion to simple sides like a crisp green salad tossed in lime vinaigrette or classic refried beans. Mexican rice, sautéed corn, or black beans work perfectly too, soaking up any saucy bits and balancing the richness of the dish.
Creative Ways to Present
Bring your King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe to the next level by serving it in individual ramekins for a dinner party or laying out a fun Tex-Mex toppings bar with diced avocado, pickled onions, and hot sauce. For a casual family night, scoop the casserole onto warm plates with plenty of sides for a relaxed, crowd-pleasing meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe stores beautifully! Just cover the baking dish with foil or transfer slices to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to four days—flavors actually deepen as they rest, making tomorrow’s lunch something to look forward to.
Freezing
This casserole is freezer-friendly, making it ideal for meal prep or busy nights. Wrap the unbaked (or even baked and cooled) casserole tightly in foil, then freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, warm slices in the oven at 350°F until hot and bubbly, or microwave individual servings for about 1-2 minutes each. If you’re worried about dryness, cover with foil and add a spoonful of chicken broth or extra sour cream before reheating.
FAQs
Can I substitute flour tortillas if I don’t have corn tortillas?
Yes, flour tortillas work just fine in place of corn for the King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe! The texture will be a bit softer and slightly less traditional, but still delicious and perfect for soaking up the savory sauce.
Is rotisserie chicken necessary?
Not at all! While rotisserie chicken makes for a quick and flavorful shortcut, any cooked and shredded chicken—or even leftover turkey—will work beautifully in this casserole.
Can I make this casserole spicy?
Absolutely! For extra heat, add sliced fresh jalapeños to the layers, a pinch more chili powder, or use a “hot” version of canned diced tomatoes with green chilies. Feel free to adjust to your family’s tastes.
What can I do if my casserole turns out too runny?
If your King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe seems a little soupy, let it rest for at least 15 minutes after baking. This helps the tortillas absorb any extra moisture, firming up the texture for perfect slices.
Can I add beans or other veggies?
Go for it! Black beans, corn, or even zucchini are tasty additions. Just be mindful not to overfill the casserole dish—add-ins are a great way to personalize and sneak in a few veggies.
Final Thoughts
Comforting, flavorful, and supremely satisfying, this King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe is truly a celebration of Tex-Mex goodness. Gathering the family together around this bubbling dish always brings smiles, and you’ll love how easy it is to prepare ahead or customize. Don’t wait for a special occasion—give this classic a try and make dinnertime memorable tonight!
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King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this King Ranch Chicken Casserole recipe. Layers of tender chicken, creamy soups, and gooey cheese meld with zesty Tex-Mex flavors for a dish that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Main Casserole:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 12 corn tortillas (cut into quarters)
- ½ cup sour cream (optional)
- chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Sauté vegetables: In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened.
- Add soups and seasonings: Stir in cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Combine with chicken: Mix in shredded chicken until heated through.
- Layer casserole: Alternate layers of tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese in a baking dish.
- Bake: Cover and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Let cool slightly, then garnish with sour cream and cilantro.
Notes
- This casserole is great for using leftover or rotisserie chicken.
- Customize with flour tortillas or add black beans or jalapeños for extra flair.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
