Description
King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a classic Tex-Mex comfort dish featuring tender shredded chicken, a creamy and flavorful sauce, crispy tortillas, and melty cheese. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, this casserole delivers a satisfying, hearty meal with layers of savory, mild spice and rich textures that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftovers work great)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 6 to 8 corn tortillas or 2 cups tortilla chips, broken into pieces
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a large bowl, combine diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until smooth and creamy.
- Combine chicken and vegetables: Fold the shredded chicken, chopped onions, and bell peppers into the sauce mixture, ensuring everything is evenly mixed.
- Layer the casserole: Spread a thin layer of the sauce mixture on the bottom of a greased baking dish. Add a layer of broken tortillas or tortilla chips, spoon more sauce over them, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous cheese layer on top.
- Bake to perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the casserole for 25 to 30 minutes until it is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Let it rest and serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to help the layers set for easy slicing and serving.
Notes
- Shred chicken finely to blend seamlessly with the sauce.
- Use fresh tortillas or chips to avoid sogginess.
- Add extra cheese on top for a golden, bubbly crust.
- Don’t skip resting time to allow the casserole to set properly.
- Adjust seasonings to taste before layering, especially chili and garlic powder.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: King Ranch Chicken, Tex-Mex casserole, creamy chicken casserole, cheesy casserole, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food
