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.
Is King Ranch Casserole gluten-free?
Yes, this King Ranch Casserole recipe is naturally gluten-free, thanks to the corn tortillas.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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!
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! 🙂
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!