Adopt Me, Texas! – King Ranch Casserole
As much as I love Texas, you’d think I’d been there more than once. You’d think I’d spent that one trip doing more than staying in my hotel and going to one mall. If you knew how much I loved Texas, you’d swear I had family there (besides my adopted Brother in insanity, Bill Gent) or had spent summers there as a child.
The fact is, I’ve spent a grand total of three days in Dallas in 2004, riding a bus for twelve hours to get there. It was the farthest I’d ever traveled from home and it was a grand adventure for me. I couldn’t wait to see my personal version of a foreign land and it was all I could do to wait on getting my luggage off the bus before setting off to meet a real live Texan!
My first real live Texan was a young man who held open the door for me as I entered the hotel. I greeted him with a BIG grin “Hey, how are you?”
“Good ma’am, and yourself?”
My heart sank in disappointment “Well shoot” I thought, “They talk just like we do.”
Y’all gotta keep in mind that I don’t get out much here, I can fully see how me expecting Texas to be a foreign land is a bit unreasonable but in over thirty years it was the furthest I’d traveled (I hadn’t even flown at that point) so I had three decades of expectations riding on this.
I’m not sure what I expected out of the great State of Texas, but my disappointment at the similar (pretty much identical) accent was quickly replace with a marvel at how similar this massive place was to my home. Texas must be Alabama’s big brother, I decided after that first day, and then spent the rest of the time grinning happily in contentment at finding the world twelve hours from home every bit as warm and welcoming as it was in my neck of the woods.
So when Jacqueline emailed me about putting a King Ranch Chicken Casserole recipe on the site, I wanted to do it sooner rather than later as homage to the great state it originated from. I dearly hope I get to return there this fall on my book tour, maybe I’ll get to see a little more of it this time! Until then I can enjoy this gooey, cheesy, chickeny concoction all spiced up with the best of seasonings. This is a great casserole because you can make it the night ahead of time and store it in your fridge to pop in the oven right before supper.
I always say I claim dual citizenship with Tennessee because I’ve never lived more than ten minutes from the Tennessee state line all of my life, but if y’all Texans would allow me, I’d like to add a third “country” to my personal passport and claim part Texan, too! Reckon I could get adopted? I’d be a good little step child, honest!
You’ll need: Chicken, Diced Tomatoes, Chopped Green chilies, Cream of Chicken, Cream of Mushroom, Cheese, Corn Tortillas, and chopped onions.
*There are several ways to get your chicken for this, my favorite is leftovers. I also like to buy a ten pound bag of leg quarters and boil them until done, then shred all of the chicken and freeze in small portions to toss in casseroles, dumplings, and stews. Today, though, we went with canned chicken, which is usually pretty expensive. I got this for $2.00 a can and it was one of those days where I’d been running around all morning and really felt it was worth spending the extra money to save time.
You can use fat free cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup if you like.
You’re also gonna need a few spices: Chili powder, pepper, salt, and garlic powder.
Because everything tastes better with chili and garlic powder, right?
Most folks don’t have to think about making salt and pepper shakers camera ready but mine got a little bath for this photo.
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 tomatoes, and chicken.
Add salt
Pepper
Garlic powder
Chili powder
Y’all likely haven’t seen these measuring spoons before because I’ve never used them before. I picked them up at an antique mall several years back and thought they were pretty so I hung them up with some copper molds on my kitchen wall. Well lo and behold, I couldn’t find a single measuring spoon for this post. Don’t get me wrong, I have them all over the place – but I can never find them when I need them! I got frustrated looking and glanced up on the wall to find these. A quick washing and I was off to the races.
I always think of how nice it would be if someone just mailed me a set of measuring spoons and cups every week . Even at that pace, I’d still lose the little suckers and be waiting on my package at week’s end!
and stir.
Cook this on medium heat until heated through and bubbly, just a few minutes.
Tear half of your tortillas up into little pieces and layer them in the bottom of a 9×13 dish.
Little side note here: I really don’t like the taste of corn tortillas. In fact, I don’t like anything at all about corn tortillas, BUT I love this casserole so those of you who share my aversion to them can rest easy that the finished product of King Ranch is delicious!
Spread half of your chicken mixture over that.
and sprinkle with half your cheese
Add the rest of your corn tortillas, all torn up
Then glob the rest of your chicken mixture over that
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 thirty minutes, until lightly browned around the edges and your stomach is growling from the smell.
HELLO DINNER!
Yum di di dum dum yum yum yum!!
King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons 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 large skillet. Add onions and saute over medium heat until onions are lightly browned. Add chicken, cream soups, chilies, tomatoes, and all seasonings. Stir and cook over medium heat until bubbly.
- Tear tortillas into small pieces. Place half of pieces in 9x13 inch dish. Top with 1/2 of chicken mixture and 1/2 of cheese. Top with remaining tortilla pieces, remaining chicken mixture, and remaining cheese. bake at 350 for thirty minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned around the edges.
Google Recipe View Microformatting by ZipList Recipe Plugin
Ingredients
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons 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 large skillet. Add onions and saute over medium heat until onions are lightly browned. Add chicken, cream soups, chilies, tomatoes, and all seasonings. Stir and cook over medium heat until bubbly.
- Tear tortillas into small pieces. Place half of pieces in 9x13 inch dish. Top with 1/2 of chicken mixture and 1/2 of cheese. Top with remaining tortilla pieces, remaining chicken mixture, and remaining cheese. bake at 350 for thirty minutes, or until bubbly and lightly browned around the edges.
*Can use fat free
Can assemble this the night before, store in the fridge, and bake when you get home!
The stars at night, are big and bright.. ~clap clap clap clap~ ….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s Spring Break, do you know whats in your freezer?
It’s spring break at my house and as it turns out, I’m not the only one who has been busy in the kitchen. The kids have created a new sport of freezing toys in cups…apparently it is quite fun.
It started out with one but when I opened the freezer today…
This is just what is in the door
I don’t know what this My Little Pony did, but I sure do hope I never get Katy Rose mad…
Lego men be afraid – be VERY afraid
They ran out of room in the door, so Gumby was waving at me from the ice bin
Poor guy, valiant to the end.
~shakes her head~ He almost made it, too…
I hope you’ve had a great week. Mine has been filled with lots of work and little sleep so I’ m going to disconnect as best I can tomorrow and hope to get some time in with my kidders. Sunday is the last photo shoot for the book, we’re working on the cover so I’ll keep you posted. I’m going to have ye olde husband take photos during the shoot to share with you on our Southern Plate Family Page on Facebook so we should have those uploaded Sunday night, be sure to hop on over and join us there!
Gratefully,
Christy
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!
Posted by Christy Jordan
on Mar 19 2010. Filed under Main Course.
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Let’s make this adoption official — Welcome to Texas, Christy! We’re proud to claim you as one of our own!
… and King Ranch casserole is about as good as it gets around here. My kids eat it like dip with tortilla chips.
~Puffs up like a peacock and grins from ear to ear~ It’s OFFICIAL!!!
YEEEEEEEEEEEHA!
Gratefully,
Christy
I’ve had something very similar to this before when I was but a wee young bachelor. My roommate made it with Rotel and Doritos but otherwise was the same and it was quite tasty. Yours looks SO much easier though.
And just what do they put in the water down there anyway? Freezing poor, innocent toys? tsk tsk We’re gonna have to send Buzz Lightyear to their rescue! hehe
~giggles~
I’ve always had a thing for Buzz Lightyear.
Toy Story 3 comes out this year, too!!!!
Christy,
As a native Texan, I officially adopt you! Now, come and cook for me! HA!
Seriously, I was born in TX and have lived all my 60 years here, so I am a true Texan and I love my state. My parents live right down the street, so I like to say I never got off this street.
I love all your stories because they are so similar to my stories. My grandma (Mammaw) was very impt to me and I love reading about your grandmas.
I love your recipes and this TX casserole is wonderful! You’ll have to go and visit the King Ranch sometime while you are in your new state! Also, the Texas Hill Country is especially beautiful.
All of Texas will welcome you, because we are very friendly people!
In December ’09, while driving through Alabama on the way to Disney World (yea), I told my daughter and grand-kids we should stop and see you! We didn’t want to just drop in unannounced, but we thought good thoughts as we drove through your state.
Take care and have a wonderful day.
Wanda
Hey Wanda! There is something to be said for deep roots, isn’t it? My ancestors lived here before Alabama was even a state, so not only is it home to me, it’s kinda like its home to my very soul.
I’m thrilled to add another citizenship, though! Loved Texas and each and every Texan I’ve ever met!
We were in Disney in November, did you see the light show in in MGM?
Lord, I sure would love a chance to meet you and your daughter. This past December was pretty rough with me trying to pull of Christmas and get the book done but y’all holler if you pass through again!
If you end up in the Huntsville area maybe we could grab coffee and pick some cotton! (just kidding about the cotton part).
Gratefully,
Christy
This recipe sounds SO good. I am going to make it to take to a pot-luck dinner soon. Thanks for all the hard work you put in here. I look forward to each newsletter. WE are all looking forward to your next book, and hope to see you at a book signing near us!(Charlotte would be GOOD.) Congratulations on all your adventures Christy!
Hey Donna! thank YOU so very much!! It’s amazing all of the behind the scenes work that goes into getting a book put together and you just wouldn’t believe all of the AMAZING people who are working on this one. I can’t wait to show all of y’all my “baby”! I hope you like it!
I have always wanted to go to Charlotte, we gotta make that one for sure. Will I get to see you there?
Gratefully,
Christy
Hi Christy! Not only would you get to see Donna in Charlotte, but me too!! Come on over!!
This is what I had planned on making Sunday for dinner. The recipe I had bookmarked uses tortilla chips instead of tortillas. You casserole looks great! I’ve never made it before. You make it look easy and yummy!
Hey Steph! It is pretty easy, I hate that it has so many ingredients because that makes it look like it might not be but honest it is! lol
Hope you enjoy Sunday dinner, lucky are the folks you’ll be feeding!
Gratefully,
Christy
Thanks for posting this Christy! I can’t wait to make it!!
Thank YOU for reminding me!
Having it for supper again tonight!
Gratefully,
Christy
This looks soooo good! Wonder if I outta head to the store while hubby is sleeping and get the ingredients and whip it up and have it waiting on him for brunch when he wakes up? It could happen…
Thanks for the recipe!!
Dang, you got one lucky husband!!!
Gratefully,
Christy
Christy,
We must be kin–I live in Tennessee, have relatives in Alabama, and love Texas! Our son moved to Fort Worth ten years ago, so my husband and I have made the 11 1/2-hour trip (we drive, don’t fly) fourteen times. I’ve bought several Texas cookbooks and haven’t been disappointed yet at what I’ve made. Ooh, there’s some good eatin’ there! After discovering what real Tex-Mex is, we don’t even consider a night out at Taco Bell. El Paseo, Taco Casa, Taco Bueno, Joe T. Garcia’s, Mexican Inn–and the list goes on and on–are oh-so-good! And the world’s best pizza is there, too; Bosses Pizza is, without a doubt, absolutely outstanding. As I wrote in my review on tripadvisor.com, it’s worth the drive from TN just to eat their pizza.
I hope you get to return to the Lone Star State. Fort Worth is really neat; there’s a great zoo, botanical gardens, the Stockyards, lots of museums (we especially enjoyed the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame), and good restaurants, of course. Head on down to the Hill Country and enjoy quaint towns like Fredericksburg, Marble Falls, and New Braunfels. Good shopping, friendly folks, and lots to do/see.
Well, I didn’t mean to get all wound up about Texas. Just excited that you enjoyed your one and only trip and wanted to share my enthusiasm, too.
God Bless Texas (and Tennessee and Alabama!)
Hi Betty Lou,
I understand your enthusiasm over our great state!
I have a question for you.
Many years ago I was in Fort Worth and visited a wax Lord’s Supper. It was so beautiful… and emotionally moving.
Is it still there? I have been wondering about this.
You are right about the great food here. Christy would love all the great restaurants! I’m sure she could duplicate the recipes.
Houston and San Antonio have some great Tex-Mex food also.
I have never had the pizza you mentioned, but it sounds wonderful!
PS – We also drive…and enjoy the sights! No flying for me.
Take care.
Wanda,
Enjoyed your comments!
I’ve never heard of the wax Last Supper in Fort Worth, but here’s what I found when I Googled: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/1257
My husband just corrected me. We’ve been to Texas 19 times, not 14 as I posted earlier, in the past decade. It’s a long drive but not as bad as it was at first. We’ll be heading back to Fort Worth in May–Bosses Pizza, here we come! http://www.bossespizza.com The lunch buffet is a-m-a-z-i-n-g!
T for Texas, T for Tennessee!
Blessings.
I loved your sign off, Betty Lou!
“God bless Texas! (and Tennessee, and Alabama!)
hehehe
I love how connected we all are!
Gratefully,
Christy
wow, lots of connections! my daughter too went to TCU & married a Texan so we make that drive alot too to DFW. They are over in Fort Worth as we speak visiting the Cowgirl Museum… an awesome place Christy will HAVE to see. It is women from all over the country with that pioneer spirit… and even Toy Story Jessie
Breakfast at The Old South near TCU and the zoo, is always a must. Just a really old place that has any breakfast item you could ever think of & i think are open 24 hrs. TCU students love to go there to “study”. How many places have dutch baby pancakes on the menu? Shopping is awesome, love the old part of town with all the really inexpensive oriental & middle east grocery stores… bakeries with things you can’t get anywhere else. Too bad i am always getting lost there its so big.
Hope you go an visit this summer with your book Christy.
Christy, Thanks for the “props” lol. We used to have King Ranch Chicken years ago when my Mama was still alive. I think it’s high time I made some in memory of her. Thanks for the recipe!
I LOVE TOY STORY!!! I still wanna be Jessie when I grow up, had no idea she was in a museum! That one sounds RIGHT UP MY ALLEY!!! Thank you, will definitely put it on my list of things I need to see before I kick the bucket!
YeeHaaaw Fort Worth! It has a lot to see indeed. The stockyards, the old city back as it was back in the day is pretty fun. Betty Lou, My cousins wife works at Joe T Garcia’s and is one of his grandaughters. I love a lot of the places you do.
You know I love ya, Bill!
Great recipe, as always! (For me though I’m cutting the amounts in half so it will make a bit less, for 1 person.)
LOL at the frozen toys…what’s up with that?
Diane in PA
Even with four, I’ve started doing a lot of our casseroles in 8×8 as well. This would be a good one to make the whole recipe, prepare in two 8×8′s, and freeze one as well!
I’m in a casserole mood and got some new baking dishes so I hope to bring you more real soon!!
Gratefully,
Christy
P.S. Frozen toys = my kids are strange, but I think that makes them normal!
Thank you so much for the wonderful recipe! You always make it look sooooo easy & delicious
Jeanette
Thank YOU!!!
I actually had some cold for breakfast, lol!
Alrighty Christy! Love that King Ranch casserole. I too have connections to Bama, Tennessee & Texas, having lived in Ft. Hood area many years ago and still have daughters family in Dallas. Once when my Denton niece came to visit we made King Ranch casserole here in Tn. What a fun memory. Love when you are driving into Texas and stat seeing those flat ranchs with the long driveways & at the entrance is the ranch logo. What are those called anyways? Well i know i will be seeing my Texas girls real soon when i start spying those ranches.
I have made the KRC with either corn or flour tortills. It is always so delicious. Kinda like a Tex Mex lasagna.
So exciting about your book and your success. You are a hard working girl and deserve it.
did not know i double posted, as a lil friend of mine says “dupid puter”.
I have made this casserole for years. sometimes use doritos chips or sometimes just tortillas, But i do use a can of rotel,spicey tomatoes with green chili peppers, much better than just diced tomatoes, we use extra diced green chilis, we like it spicy but not hot. I sure would like to visit Texas too, have heard so much about all the bbq places,I just love bbq anything, and tex-mex food. Sure glad you posted this recipe, it really is good, at least thats what my 4 boys always said. They are all grown now but their wives still make it for them.
Yummmmmm….I am going to try this next week. I make up a menu each week and this is going on that!! Thanks so much Christy. My sister lives in Flower Mound, Texas. She has been there since September of 2009.
Oh honey, as the product of a six generation Texas family, we welcome you with open arms. Lots of us started out in the Deep South any way, my granddaddy was from Tennessee married to a Texas girl. I do my king ranch chicken almost the same except I do use Rotel tomatoes which are a staple in any Texan’s kitchen. Betty Lou, I envy Bro. Bill’s easy access to Joe T. Garcia’s, being a Ft. Worth boy. My daughter and I try to go every spring so we can sit out on the patio. I view Tennessee as being my second home as my momma was from Bolivar and we went back there in the summers when I was a young ‘un.
Heh Mama Jane.. My cousin married one of Joe T’s grandaughters and she works there at Joe T’s. I don’t live far from it.
This sounds so delicious! I lived in Texas for 4 years and never heard of this… I did, however, think it was going to be like a foreign land, like you did! LOL! My question about the recipe is: Does it freeze well? Wondering just in case I could freeze some for those days I don’t have time to cook!
Thanks a bunch!
Hey Christi,
Yeah for King Ranch casserole. My roots too are Alabama/ Tennessee and Texas (lived near Fort Hood yrs ago)& kinfolks there in Texas now. My Texas niece years ago came to visit and will never forget us making King Ranch casserole in Tennessee. Always tell people to think of a Tex Mex type lasagna. Yum yum. Have made it with either the corn or the flour tortillas. King Ranch is a real place i understand…….somewhere out there in big ole Texas. Love when you are driving in and start seeing those long driveways with the entrance marked with the ranch brand. What are those called anyways? You know you are really in Texas…. and i am soon gonna see my Texas girls in Dallas area. Yee haw
Hey, the kids i know are doing that freezer toy thing too. all the containers have gone missing!! so funny.
[...] Adopt Me, Texas! – King Ranch Casserole | Southern Plate [...]
Another proud native Texan welcoming you to the Great State of Texas!
Thank you so much for all you do here on your website. Love the recipes and helpful hints. In fact, many of your southern recipes sound just like those that have been handed down in my family.
My ancestors are from Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama so I feel a kinship to all southerners. Most native Texans have ancestors who migrated here from the South and that is the reason that many of us talk just like you!
Hope you can come back here again some day. Texas is known as the Friendly State.
Sending a big wave and a hug from Central Texas!
Sandy
Hey! Anyone who can summon up a “reckon” is welcome here in Texas. Ya’ll do have to promise to drop by and “set a spell” now and then to be officially adopted though. If you like down home Texas cooking, you might check out the site attached to the recipe for “Frito Pie” which I’m including. Served at little league games and birthday parties, pre-game celebrations for Texas football season, and backyard bashes, it’s a great little recipe to know about. For kids, take an individual serving size package of fritos, cut the side open the long way, open it a bit and spoon chili on top of the fritos. Add some gooey cheese and give that kid a plastic spoon. Oh Boy! Here’s the recipe for a casserole:
http://www.texascooking.com/features/feb2004fritopie.htm
I’m jumping on the welcoming wagon! As a native Texan, I invite you to come spend some time at our beaches too. Dallas and the South Texas Coast are two completely different countries. LOL
KRC is one of our favorite dishes. The King Ranch is just “down the road a ways” from where I live. We eat it over rice or just dip some chips while watching a game.
Come on down for a visit. I think you will like what you find. ;o)
Welcome to the family, Christie. We Texans are lovely, warm and generous folks. Glad to count you among them. My roommate in college made something like this, (late’70′s) and I had never heard of King Ranch Casserole at that point. The roommate’s sister named it Chicken Crap. Original huh? Well, we made it with Rotels and tortilla chips. Very yummy either way. Bring the kids and come to Six Flags, Sea World, the Alamo and enjoy your newly adopted home. K
You are so hilarious (being from Georgia) I too thought perhaps Texas would be a little different. Well all I had heard was how hot it was going to be. I have to tell you – it was a dry hot, we have a humid hot. It wasn’t very hot to me…
I saw this recipe in a cookbook while we were visiting San Antonio and it looked really good. I’ll have try it since you said it was good!
Oh and your kids are so cute freezing stuff!
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!
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!
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!!
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!
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!
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.
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 have a disease that makes me love dishes way too much
Well, not really but I do love the plates in your King Ranch post. By the way, I am a born and bred Texan and wouldn’t have it any other way. We do love our King Ranch Chicken but we also make it as a salad topper over Baby Spinach and it is soooo good without the corn which is very high on the allergy list for lots of folks in Texas. Anyway, please tell me where you found those beautiful red plates!!
This is similar to my family’s old favorite Rotel Chicken made with Rotel tomatoes and tortilla chips. Other ingredients are about the same. We also have a pretty funny story about it. A friend took the canned ingredients to Pennsylvania with her on a visit to her family. At that time, Rotel tomatoes were unknown there. Well, everyone loved the casserole and asked her what it was called. After telling them its name, one of them asked “Road Kill Chicken?” with a puzzled look on his face. We still laugh about that sometimes when I cook it.
BTW, it is so good, our kids used to fight over the last little bit in the dish.
Well, since I live in Texas, howdy!!!
I too, do not like corn tortillas; but, am going to try this casserole because I have made many many of your recipes and they all good. My husband knows by now where I got a new recipe. Thanks for your help and good luck with your new book.
You can come to Arlington, Texas for a book signing if you’re a mind to.
Not all of us Texans talk like you do, but plenty of them do.
This casserole looks delicious and quick to make. Thanks for posting the recipe.
LOL @ the contents of your freezer!
I should have known you were a Texan, Memoria, you have a Texas sized heart
!
Gratefully,
Christy
My Mom makes a different version of King Ranch. She uses Doritos instead of tortillas and she throws in some black olives. I don’t believe she adds chili powder, but I could be wrong. One of my favorite dishes that she makes!
Hey Vickie, do you remember when they first came out with Doritos?
Oh goodness, we were GAGA over them! We’d have them at every school party and it was the one thing we all requested and looked for. It didn’t take long to figure out that if you had Doritos, you needed to have mints, too!
Gratefully,
Christy
P.S. I bet your mom’s is FANTASTIC!
I almost put black olives in my King Ranch just last week, but “chickened” out. LOL! Next time they’re going in for sure!
~Runs down to the courthouse and files adoption papers before anyone else can lay claim to Christy~
“Here ye are, sweet Darlin’, yer own room and Stetson and a pair of Nocona boots”
~Smiles as he opens the truck door to take you home!~
Texas Our Texas, all hail the Lone Star State!
I recently opened my freezer–which is on the bottom of my fridge–and found a full bottle of liquid laundry detergent, completely frozen solid! My two year old had been at work again!
We’ll add to the list to be HAPPY to have you a Texan!!! You can come stay with us in Fort Worth(part of D/FW metro, but, NOT Dallas–in other words, go WEST from the airport.. not east..haha) anytime!!
Only difference in yours and mine is you heat the tortillas in oil first, cool, then tear up.. changes the texture JUUUST a little. But, yeppers, you done GOOD sister!! True Texan!
Oh, and, if you want some rice to go with this, just start with the same measurements as regular white rice, but, instead of butter, put the same measure (say about a tablespoon) of oil in your pot. Add your measure of rice (yes, dry) stir and cook until it starts to pop and part of it turns light brown. Add garlic salt until it smells too strong (that’s the only way I measure it.. just smell the pot and if it smells like too much it will be just right). Add one can of tomato sauce with enough water for your perfect measure. (i.e. 1 cup of rice to 2 cups of liquid.) Cover and simmer without lifting the lid for 20 minutes. Fluff with fork. (Peas and onions added can make it like a restaurant, but, the kids like it plain like this) I learned this from my former Mexican mother-in-law. So, try it!
I dub thee an official Texan! I’ll try to get down to Dallas and see you if you get out this way on your book tour.
I’ve been making King Ranch Chicken for years, but I never used canned chicken. Will definitely have to try it next time I need my King Ranch fix and don’t have any cooked chicken. I like to use ground cumin instead of chili powder, Rotel instead of diced tomatoes and Doritos instead of tortillas. Sometimes I cook up a couple pounds of ground beef with the onions and spices instead of using chicken. Delish!!!
I am going to try this casserole it looks great. Call me crazy but Texas has always scared me, I have never been there, but somebody used to tell me that snakes hang from the trees. I am terrified of snakes so I have never wanted to go. I don’t know if this story is true, probably one of my rotten brothers told me the story but it stuck with me.
Dear All
What lovely, welcoming people you are. If and when I get to come over I want to visit Texas as well as Alabama, Tennessee, Minnesota, Maine, Oregon etc. Perhaps I will need a lottery win and a year to spend on holiday…lol
Christy,
maybe you can tell me why they call a chicken casserole a “KING RANCH” casserole when the historic King Ranch in Texas is a cattle ranch. just wondering … for a long time.
Since you are from Texas
I still have to try this. And, I don’t like corn tortillas either, but just saw where there is a Corn-Flour or Flour-Corn tortilla on the market. If I can find them, I’ll definitely try them.
You are so lucky you actually get a spring break !!!!!!!!! We had so much snow here the kids missed tons of school. So what do they do????? They take days away from our spring break !!!! So now we have Good Friday and Easter Monday – and that’s it. Isn’t that sad????? But I guess I should be happy they didn’t take those away too. Enjoy the time with your kids. Loved the frozen toys. That My Little Pony was too funny!
Thanks for this recipe, Christy! I am going to make this for dinner.
BTW, I had my first trip to Alabama last summer and my first trip to Texas in January. I loved both places. Alabama in late June last year was hot but everyone was so friendly, it was worth dealing with the heat! It was almost as hot in Michigan anyway. I scoured the the small town we were in for that white BBQ sauce you posted and finally found it at Walmart! Piggly Wiggly didn’t carry it and neither did Givorn’s. I found cream peas though, brought back several cans and fell in love. I can’t get them here in Detroit. I also bought some great hot chow chow and several different kinds of BBQ sauce.
In January when we went to Texas, I went to Brookshire’s Market and found cream peas there too. This time I bought 12 cans to bring home. I’m a weird tourist…I head straight for a grocery store to see what looks good that I can’t get in Michigan.
Next I want to go to Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA.
Off to the market I go, I have everything in the pantry already, I just need to buy chicken.
Just a note to follow up: I made this casserole and my husband, who typically is not a fan of casseroles, said it was delicious! He ate seconds the first day and had the leftovers for lunch the next day. Thanks for this recipe!
We are traveling for the weekend, but I have made you portable, Christy.
My husband is allergic to cheese. Every time I see a post with cheese in it that can’t easily be removed, I just sigh and move on. But…with your following…I used to be able to purchase “imitation cheese” – my oldest son called it plastic cheese – but it was better than nothing. Since moving to Florida, I cannot find anything like it. Does any Floridian know of such a product and where to purchase it? I would be ever so grateful!
Hey!! I’ve actually brought that cheese by accident! I didn’t realize what it was until I baked with it and thought it was a little “off”. It wasn’t bad, just different. Then I saw that it was imitation on the package. I got mine a few weeks back at Kroger. It was sold under their brand. Do you have Krogers near you?
*sigh* – no, but maybe when I am traveling.
I’ve always made “Dorito Casserole”, which is the same except you use Rotel and Doritos instead of the tomatoes, chiles, and tortillas. It is SOOOO yummy. I haven’t made one in a while because I almost burned myself out on them…plus I wanted to inhale the whole pan every time I made it! LOL.
Christy –
I have the exact reverse family lineage as you. My entire family (parents and siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc) are all from Alabama. I am the only one born and raised in Texas. Growing up, we were constantly back and forth to visit family back “in ‘Bama”. I am a very proud Texan and wouldn’t want to move anywhere else at this point in my life. But it would be great if you could grant me dual citizenship to the Crimson State. I have very fond memories of visiting the Botanical Gardens, the Vulcan statue (and hearing stories about the large pair of jeans that Levi’s wanted to put on him… or my grandfather made that up to tease me… not sure which), touring Tanneyhill (sp?), going to the zoo,… my grandparents were pretty spry so we spent our quality time together soaking up the sights of Alabama. I think they were hoping something would rub off on their little Texan.
All of us near the Gulf in Texas are sure hoping you can make it this way on your book tour. Dallas is nice and all but you need to venture out around our state. We would love to welcome you “home” personally and show you South Texas hospitality.
Michele
Why is the posting time two hours off??
I’m a native Alabamian who has been adopted by the Great State of Texas! One of the first Texas dishes I ate when I first moved here was King Ranch Chicken. I knew I belonged! If you don’t like corn tortillas, like me, a good substitute is any tortilla chips like Doritos, or even the Walmart brand. Another good recipe that I know you will love, uses many of the same ingredients and a favorite of mine, Chicken Spaghetti. I think your readers would love it too!
Oh my Katy Rose! Hope you don’t have any unexpected guests and you reach for a drink, only to serve them My Little Pony and Lego pieces!
The first thing I did when I stepped foot in Houston (other than my hair go crazy curly from the humidity) was have Texas BBQ. I don’t even know the name of where we went, I was taken there, but it was a place off a main road. Very dark and pokey inside, but my my my! The BBQ!!! WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! hehehe And then of course, I headed to the The Galleria mall.
Hope all is well with you Christy!
I love spring time the blue bonnets will be a great photo opt. I always say that I will take picture with the kids out there and never do I hope to this year.