If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing and flavorful casserole recipe, look no further than this King Ranch Chicken casserole.
This beloved Tex-Mex dish has been a staple in Southern kitchens for generations, and for good reason. With layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas, King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a dish that’s sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Table of Contents
What is King Ranch Chicken Casserole?
King Ranch Chicken is a Tex-Mex casserole that’s made with layers of chicken, tortillas, cheese, and a creamy tomato sauce. The origins of the dish are a bit of a mystery, but it’s believed to have been created in the 1950s by the wife of a rancher in King Ranch, Texas.
The recipe was then popularized by a Junior League cookbook in the 1970s and has since become a beloved Southern classic.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, diced avocado
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, drained diced tomatoes and green chilies, sour cream, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Cut the tortillas into bite-sized pieces.
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of the chicken mixture on the bottom of the dish.
- Top the chicken mixture with a layer of tortilla pieces.
- Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the tortillas.
- Repeat the layers of chicken mixture, tortillas, and cheese until all of the ingredients are used up. Make sure the top layer is cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, and diced avocado, if desired.
Why is King Ranch Chicken so popular?
King Ranch Chicken is popular for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s delicious! The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas is hard to resist. It’s also an easy recipe to make, which makes it perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey.
In addition, King Ranch Chicken is a versatile recipe that can be customized to suit your tastes. You can add more or less spice, adjust the amount of cheese, or add your favorite toppings. It’s also a dish that can be made ahead of time and reheated, which makes it a great option for meal prep.
Why Make This King Ranch Chicken Casserole?
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy Tex-Mex casserole recipe, give this King Ranch Chicken casserole a try. With layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas, it’s a dish that’s sure to satisfy everyone at the table. Plus, it’s a versatile recipe that can be customized to suit your tastes.
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
King Ranch Chicken is a southwest chicken casserole with layers of tender chicken, creamy sauce, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas. The flavors blend together to make a delicious dinner that the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, diced avocado
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, drained diced tomatoes and green chilies, sour cream, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Mix well.
- Cut the tortillas into bite-sized pieces.
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of the chicken mixture on the bottom of the dish.
- Top the chicken mixture with a layer of tortilla pieces.
- Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the tortillas.
- Repeat the layers of chicken mixture, tortillas, and cheese until all of the ingredients are used up. Make sure the top layer is cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, and diced avocado, if desired.
Notes
Want to add some hidden veggies? Sometimes I'll grab a bag of frozen corn to mix into the chicken mixture before making the casserole layers.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Try these delicious chicken dishes:
