King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: ~50 minutes
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 10 corn tortillas, cut into quarters
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Rotel)
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  2. Sauté Vegetables:
    • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
    • Add the diced onion and bell pepper, and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Prepare the Sauce:
    • Stir in the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes with green chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
    • Mix until well combined and heated through. Remove from heat.
  1. Assemble the Casserole:
    • Spread a thin layer of the sauce mixture at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
    • Layer with one-third of the tortilla quarters, followed by one-third of the shredded chicken, one-third of the remaining sauce, and one-third of the shredded cheese.
    • Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.
  2. Bake the Casserole:
    • Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
    • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
  3. Serve:
    • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Tips for Success:

  • Customize the Heat: For a spicier version, use hot Rotel or add diced jalapeños.
  • Make It Ahead: Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake. Adjust the baking time slightly if chilled.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

This King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a Tex-Mex classic, combining creamy, cheesy goodness with bold flavors in every bite. Perfect for a crowd or a comforting family dinner! 🌶️🧀