Description
King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a comforting Tex-Mex classic featuring layers of tender chicken, creamy soups, diced tomatoes, and tortillas, all baked to bubbly perfection with melted cheddar cheese on top. This hearty casserole is flavorful and satisfying, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- â…” cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 10 medium tortillas (corn or flour), 4 of them cut in half
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Sauté Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté them until they become soft and fragrant, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the sautéed onion and bell pepper along with the condensed cream of mushroom and chicken soups, undrained diced tomatoes, chicken broth, diced green chilies, chili powder, and garlic powder. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined to create a flavorful sauce base.
- Layer the Casserole: Pour about half a cup of the sauce mixture evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Then, layer half of the shredded cooked chicken on top. Cover the chicken with two cups of the sauce, then sprinkle one cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Next, layer half of the tortillas (whole and halved). Repeat this layering process one more time, ending with a generous layer of sauce and cheese on the very top.
- Bake Until Bubbly: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Bake until the casserole is bubbling around the edges and the cheddar cheese is melted and golden brown, indicating it is fully cooked and ready to serve.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool slightly for a few minutes. Garnish the top with freshly chopped chives for added color and flavor. Serve the dish hot and enjoy a comforting family meal.
Notes
- You can use either corn or flour tortillas based on your preference.
- Shredded cooked chicken can be rotisserie, boiled, or grilled chicken.
- Adjust chili powder to taste for more or less spice.
- For a lower sodium version, choose low-sodium soups and broth.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
