This King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a hearty, comforting dish that combines cheesy goodness with the bold flavors of Tex-Mex cuisine. It's perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a warming family meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 medium white onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (such as RO*TEL®)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
- 1 (3 pound) cooked chicken, torn into shreds or cut into chunks
- 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
- 10 (6 inch) corn tortillas, cut into quarters
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Cook Vegetables: Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sauté onion and bell peppers until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Make the Sauce: Add both cans of condensed soup, diced tomatoes with chile peppers, chicken broth, sour cream, cumin, ancho chile powder, oregano, and chipotle chile powder to the sautéed vegetables; mix until well combined.
- Layer the Casserole:
- Spread a few tablespoons of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Layer half of the chicken, half of the sauce, half of the Cheddar cheese, and half of the tortillas.
- Repeat with the remaining chicken, another third of the sauce and cheese, and the rest of the tortillas.
- Top with the remaining sauce and Cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake until bubbling, about 40 minutes.
- Broil: Turn on the broiler and broil until the top is golden, about 2 to 3 minutes.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve this delicious casserole hot, garnished with fresh herbs, additional sour cream, and a side of lime wedges if desired.
Tips:
- Preparation: For a smoother morning prep, you can assemble the casserole the night before and refrigerate. Just add a few minutes to the baking time.
- Variations: Substitute the chicken for turkey or even a plant-based protein to suit your dietary needs.
This King Ranch Chicken Casserole offers a delightful mix of flavors and textures that makes it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Enjoy the robust taste of this comforting dish any night of the week!
King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a beloved Texan recipe, famous for its rich layers of corn tortillas, shredded chicken, and a creamy, spicy sauce. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for family dinners or potluck gatherings.
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 1 rotisserie chicken)
- 12 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chiles (e.g., Ro-Tel)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
-
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Prepare the Vegetable Mix:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until they are tender.
-
Mix the Casserole Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, torn tortillas, sautéed vegetables, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, diced tomatoes with chiles, chili powder, cumin, and chicken broth. Mix well.
-
Assemble the Casserole:
- In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, layer half of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle with one cup of cheddar cheese. Repeat with the remaining chicken mixture and cheese.
-
Bake:
- Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
-
Garnish and Serve:
- Let the casserole cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute the cream soups with low-fat versions and use low-fat cheese.
- Feel free to add a layer of black beans or corn between the chicken layers for extra flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
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