King Ranch Chicken Casserole

King Ranch Chicken Casserole

This iconic Texas casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, corn tortillas, and melted cheese create a Tex-Mex masterpiece that’s famously crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

· 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
· 10-12 corn tortillas, cut into quarters
· 1 medium onion, chopped
· 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
· 1 can (10 oz) Ro-Tel tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
· 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
· 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

For the Creamy Sauce:

· 3 tablespoons butter
· 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
· 2 cups chicken broth
· 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
· 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
· 1 teaspoon chili powder
· ½ teaspoon garlic powder
· ½ teaspoon cumin
· Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes:

· Chopped fresh cilantro
· Diced avocado
· Sour cream
· Sliced jalapeños

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Sauce

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to make a roux.
3. Gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth.
4. Stir in both cans of soup, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin.
5. Cook until heated through and slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables

1. In a separate skillet, sauté onion and bell pepper until tender (about 5-7 minutes).

Step 3: Assemble the Casserole

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Spread ½ cup of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
3. Layer 1: Arrange half of the tortilla pieces over the sauce.
4. Layer 2: Top with half of the chicken, half of the sautéed vegetables, and half of the Ro-Tel tomatoes.
5. Layer 3: Pour one-third of the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with 1 cup of each cheese.
6. Repeat layers with remaining tortillas, chicken, vegetables, tomatoes, and another third of the sauce.
7. Final Layer: Top with remaining sauce and remaining cheeses.

Step 4: Bake

1. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
2. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is golden.
3. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving (this helps it set for cleaner slices).

Serving Suggestions

· Serve with Mexican rice and refried beans
· Top with fresh cilantro, avocado, or sour cream
· Perfect with a simple green salad

Tips & Variations

· Spice Level: Use mild or hot Ro-Tel depending on your preference
· Tortilla Tip: For softer texture, briefly fry tortillas in oil before assembling
· Make Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate until baking
· Freezer Friendly: Freeze before baking. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking
· Lighter Version: Use low-fat soups and reduced-fat cheese
· Extra Creamy: Add ½ cup of sour cream to the sauce

Why It’s Called King Ranch

Despite the name, this casserole isn’t actually from the famous King Ranch in Texas. The name likely comes from its rich, “ranch-style” ingredients and its status as a “king” of casseroles!

This comforting classic is sure to become a family favorite!