King Ranch Casserole
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Are you ready to try the best chicken casserole ever? This King Ranch Casserole features tantalizing Tex-Mex flavor mixed with cheesy and creamy layers.
While it may have its roots in Texas, this King Ranch Chicken Casserole is a beloved dish everywhere in the South. It’s bound to show up at any potluck you attend, but it’s easy to see why. It’s cozy, comforting, and oh-so-delicious, with creamy Tex-Mex layers sandwiched between corn tortillas and lots of cheese. Sounds like Southern comfort food heaven, right?
Another reason this is the best chicken casserole ever is that it requires minimal prep and makes the ideal family-friendly weeknight dinner. You can even make it the night before and store it in your fridge to pop in the oven right before supper.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chicken (I used )
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped green chilies
- Cream of chicken
- Cream of mushroom
- Shredded cheese
- Corn tortillas (or you can use pieces of if you prefer)
- Chopped onions
- Spices: chili powder, pepper, salt, and garlic powder.
Pour a little bit of oil in a large skillet, about two tablespoons.
Add in your onions…
and saute those, stirring often, until browned a bit.
Then dump in your chilies, cream soups, drained diced tomatoes, and shredded chicken.
Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and chili powder.
and stir.
Cook this on medium heat until heated through and bubbly – usually just a few minutes.
Tear half of your corn tortillas up into little pieces and layer them in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
Spread half of your over the and sprinkle with half your .
Add the rest of your corn tortillas, all torn up. Then glob the rest of your chicken mixture over that and smear it around…
and more cheese!
Lots of folks make their King Ranch casseroles in three layers, but I just do two. If you wanna do three go right ahead. Whatever cranks yer tractor. Two does it for me!
Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 30 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges and your stomach is growling from the smell. Top with some chopped when you’re ready to serve.
HELLO DINNER!
Yum di di dum dum yum yum yum!!
Storage
- Casserole leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
- You can freeze the entire unbaked casserole for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then cook as instructed above. Alternatively, cooked casserole servings will last in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat in the microwave.
Recipe Notes
- In this casserole, you can use any kind of chicken, including boiled chicken breast, canned chicken, or whatever leftover chicken you have in the fridge. Today I used rotisserie chicken and it was fantastic, but I also sometimes buy a 10-pound bag of leg quarters and boil them until done. Then I shred all of the chicken and freeze in small portions to toss in casseroles, dumplings, and stews.
- You can use any combination of condensed soup varieties. Go for only cream of mushroom or chicken, or use other flavors like cream of celery or cream of onion.
- If you’d like your King Ranch Casserole to have a little crunch, substitute the corn tortillas for crushed tortilla chips or Doritos.
- Instead of cheddar cheese, sprinkle your casserole with Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese instead.
- You can also add more veggies to your chicken mixture, like green bell pepper.
- For another creamy layer addition, serve your with a scoop of .
- If too spicy, substitute for for a less heated option.
Recipe FAQs
Why is it called King Range Chicken Casserole?
While its name comes from King Ranch, one of the country’s largest ranches, there’s actually no direct connection between this Tex-Mex casserole and the ranch.
Can I make this casserole the night before?
Yes! You can assemble this casserole in a the night before, store it in the fridge, and then bake it when you get home.
Can I use fat-free cream of chicken or cream of mushroom?
Yes, you can use fat-free versions. If you are watching your fat intake for health reasons I actually strongly recommend it. Just always check with your health professionals if you are making any substitutes due to health.
What do you serve with King Ranch Chicken Casserole?
While this casserole is a meal in itself, you can serve it alongside other Southern favorites, including cornbread, corn salad, fresh green beans, and three-bean salad. You can also serve it with a simple refreshing salad like this Greek cucumber salad or some tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole.
Here are other casserole recipes you may enjoy:
Cabbage Casserole Recipe Oven or Slow Cooker
Cornbread Casserole Recipe Simple and Savory
Sloppy Joes Casserole Deep Dish Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 4 ounce can diced green chilies
- 15 ounce can diced tomatoes drained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 12 - 14 corn tortillas six-inch
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Place oil in a large skillet. Add onions and saute over medium heat until onions are lightly browned.1 onion, 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Add rotisserie chicken, cream soups, chilies, tomatoes, and all seasonings. Stir and cook over medium heat until bubbly.2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 4 ounce can diced green chilies, 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Tear tortillas into small pieces. Place half of the torn tortillas in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Top with 1/2 of the chicken mixture and 1/2 of the cheese. Top with remaining tortilla pieces, remaining chicken mixture, and remaining cheese.12 - 14 corn tortillas, 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned around the edges.
The stars at night, are big and bright… ~clap clap clap clap~…
I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think,
all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read,
and all the friends I want to see.
– John Burroughs
Submitted by Steaksmom Submit your quote here!
I just have to post again and greet all my fellow Texans!
J. Keefer – You must live near Kingsville. Many years ago we lived in Kingsville/Bishop/Corpus Christi. A great part of TX.
You are so right. The beaches are wonderful and the coast is very different from the cities. Our son and daughter-in-law live in Brazoria County. We were at the beach with them and the grandkids on Wednesday. It was just beautiful!
Karen – you must be from the San Antonio area. Your roommate had a rather unappetizing name for the casserole! HA!
Mary – I “reckon” a lot of people will try your Frito Pie recipe!
Great with some iced tea or Dr Pepper!
Betty Lou, Susan, Bill – I am ashamed to say I have never been to the Cowgirl Museum or eaten at Joe T Garcia’s Mexican Inn, but now I really want to! I need to plan a trip to Ft Worth!
TX has flat lands, rolling hills, beaches, cities and small towns.
I have been blessed to live in or near all of the above.
Getting back to the recipe – I have always made the King Ranch dish with Rotel tomatoes and Tortilla chips.
Christy’s version looks great. I’ll have to give it a try with the real corn tortillas. I love flour tortillas, but I’m not that fond of the corn ones. They are probably good in the casserole.
Christy – sorry for taking up your space to greet my fellow Texans.
Your Texas message just moved me to do so!
Wanda, you’re just being neighborly and I’m proud to have you do it! Chat away, just makes it all the more like a family!
Gratefully,
Christy
I absolutely must forward this on to my brother and his wife. They are Mexican food afficianados and it looks like this is something they would really enjoy. They like their Mexican food fiery hot though so imagine they will be adding more chili powder than what this recipe calls for. Better yet, I can envision a few habanero’s or jalapeno peppers being thrown in too. I must have them invite me over when they make it. Mmmmmm, can hardly wait.
Christy–
Being a native Texan, I gladly welcome you to our big ol’ family! This casserole was a regular in my mother’s house growing up. It’s a favorite of mine to take to family reunions, luncheons, when someone has a baby, or is just home from surgery. It is never a disappointment. Like many of the other Texas ladies, I use a can of Rotel tomatoes instead of separate green chilis and diced tomatoes. Many times, I prepare and package in a gallon Ziploc freezer bag and take it to folks so they can freeze and have when they would like. I usually add a package of cheese and package of frozen veggies so they can have a meal that is ready to go without much thought.
I live in the San Antonio area (about 4 or so hours south of Dallas) and we would love for you to come visit. We have lots to do and see!
Thanks for your kind words about our state and loving it as much as we do!
THE CASSEROLE LOOKS DELISH – I CAN’T WAIT TO TRY IT. BUT THE FROZEN TOYS REALLY TOPPED IT OFF – I CRACKED UP ON THOSE!!
~giggles~
I just love my little critters, they sure do keep things lively!
This looks pretty good! I would make this tonight, if we hadn’t had chicken enchiladas last night 😀 I understand your dislike of corn tortilla’s they get all mushy when you bake them..YUCK! I will definitely try this though!!
Now, Christy Baby, don’t make me jealous…I asked to adopt you a long time ago. LOL I guess since you already claim Tn. I can be happy with that. I am looking forward to seeing you and when you know your schedule let me know so if you are in Knoxville or wherever around here I will ask off from work if it is on Sat. I will get my book signed. One day , we will be able to say , we knew her WHEN…..it all started. I love you , Sweetface.
P.S. Maybe we can get a bus load up and go visit Bill Gent. I have never been to Texas.
Hey Betty, if Christy gets to come to Knoxville on her book tour maybe i will see ya there… am just here in Fountain City area of Knox! After your book you need to be on Food TV girl.
Someone earlier talked about a wax version of the Last Supper in Tx, up in Gatlingburg they had Christus Gardens, it was closed due to a hotel going in but YEAH, those plans changed and now we hear its coming back. It has live sized versions of all kinds of bibical displays including the Last Supper.
Also the Titanic is opening in Pigeon Forge next month. An actual big ship is sitting up there!
Welcome to the family! Texas would LOVE to have a sweet girl like you (in or out of the kitchen ;p ), and best of all, you already think like us…we consider ourselves a whole other country, too!