Description
King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a hearty, comforting Tex-Mex dish that layers tender shredded chicken, crispy tortilla strips, and a creamy, cheesy sauce bursting with bold flavors. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for family dinners, meal prep, and can be customized to suit dietary preferences, delivering warmth and deliciousness every time.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or homemade)
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
Dairy & Creamy Bases
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (freshly shredded preferred)
Canned Goods
- 1 can (10 oz) Ro-Tel diced tomatoes and green chilies
Other
- 4 cups corn tortilla strips (day-old or stale tortillas cut into strips)
Spices
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Shred cooked chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces to form the protein base of the casserole.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté diced onions and bell peppers until tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: To the skillet, add condensed cream of chicken soup, Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chilies (undrained), sour cream, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. Stir well and simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until flavors combine.
- Layer the Casserole: In a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, start with a layer of corn tortilla strips, followed by a layer of shredded chicken, then ladle a generous portion of the creamy sauce over. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with sauce on top.
- Add the Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top layer. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool and set for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving to enhance flavor and ease of serving.
Notes
- Use day-old or stale tortillas to prevent soggy layers and improve texture.
- Gently fold ingredients when mixing layers to keep tortilla strips intact.
- Adjust spice levels by adding more chili powder or jalapeños to suit your taste.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting and texture compared to pre-shredded varieties.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving enhances flavors and makes slicing easier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg