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
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 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