This is the best King Ranch chicken casserole recipe you’ll ever make. Creamy, cheesy, old fashioned, and full of Southern comfort, this classic King Ranch chicken casserole is a family favorite that never disappoints.
King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium8
servings20
minutes35
minutes380
kcalIngredients
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
1 tablespoon butter
1 small onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt and black pepper to taste
10 to 12 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
3 cups shredded cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
Optional:
Rotisserie chicken for convenience
Extra cheese for topping
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the drained diced tomatoes with green chilies, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring until smooth and well combined.
- Add the cooked shredded chicken to the skillet and stir until the chicken is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Remove from heat.
- Spread a layer of torn corn tortillas across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture over the tortillas, then sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Repeat the layers of tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese until everything is used, finishing with a generous layer of cheese on top.
- Cover the casserole loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to scoop.
Notes
- Drain tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid
- Let the casserole rest 10 minutes before serving
- Extra cheese on top never hurts
- This dish tastes even better the next day
Why King Ranch Chicken Casserole Never Goes Out of Style
There are some recipes that don’t need reinventing. King Ranch chicken casserole is one of them. It’s been around forever for a reason. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, melty cheese, and layers of tortillas baked together until everything turns golden and comforting. This is the dish people ask for when they want something familiar and filling.
I first learned to make this casserole the way most people do, standing in someone else’s kitchen, watching and listening more than measuring. That’s how old fashioned King Ranch chicken casserole recipes are passed down. They’re forgiving, flexible, and meant to feed real people who are actually hungry.
This classic King Ranch chicken casserole isn’t fancy. It’s hearty, rich, and satisfying. The kind of meal you bring to a potluck or make on a Sunday so you can count on leftovers during the week.
What Makes This the Best King Ranch Chicken Casserole Recipe
What sets this recipe apart is balance. It’s creamy without being soupy. Cheesy without being greasy. Spiced just enough to give it depth, but not so much that it overwhelms.
This creamy and cheesy King Ranch chicken casserole stays true to its Southern roots. It uses simple pantry ingredients and doesn’t rely on shortcuts that flatten the flavor. Every layer matters, from the sauce to the tortillas to the chicken.
And yes, it reheats beautifully. Which, in my book, makes it even better.
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How to Make King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer for a few minutes until everything is well combined.
Step 2: Add the Chicken
Stir the cooked chicken into the sauce. This is where using rotisserie chicken really shines. It keeps the dish tender and flavorful without extra work.
Step 3: Layer the Casserole
Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a greased baking dish, layer tortillas, chicken mixture, and cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with cheese on top. This layering is key to a proper King Ranch chicken casserole with tortillas.
Step 4: Bake
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Why Rotisserie Chicken Works So Well
Using rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest ways to make an easy King Ranch chicken casserole without sacrificing flavor. The chicken is already seasoned and juicy, which blends perfectly into the creamy sauce.
It also makes this a realistic weeknight option. You can have the whole thing assembled and in the oven without much effort.
If you’re in the mood for something just as comforting but a little lighter, my low carb chicken tortilla soup is worth bookmarking. It has all the bold, familiar flavors of the classic soup without the extra carbs, making it perfect for nights when you want something warm and satisfying but not heavy. It’s an easy recipe that comes together quickly and works beautifully for meal prep, especially during busy weeks when you still want real food on the table.
A True Southern Comfort Food Classic
This southern King Ranch chicken casserole is comfort food through and through. It’s warm, rich, and filling in the way only a baked casserole can be. It doesn’t pretend to be light or trendy. It’s meant to be shared, passed around, and enjoyed slowly.
That’s why it’s such a family favorite King Ranch chicken casserole. Kids love it. Adults love it. And it’s just as good the next day.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
One of the best things about this dish is how well it fits into real life.
- Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate
- Bake when ready to serve
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days
- Freeze before baking for up to 2 months
This makes it a perfect make ahead King Ranch chicken casserole for busy weeks or gatherings.
FAQs About King Ranch Chicken Casserole
Is this an old fashioned King Ranch chicken casserole?
Yes. This recipe stays true to the classic version people have been making for decades.
Can I make it spicier?
Add jalapeños or use hot diced tomatoes with chilies.
Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?
Corn tortillas are traditional and hold up better, but flour tortillas work in a pinch.
Is this a baked King Ranch chicken casserole?
Yes, it’s baked until bubbly and lightly golden on top.
Can I make it gluten free?
Use gluten free soups and tortillas.
Why This Comfort Food Chicken Casserole Recipe Belongs in Your Rotation
Some recipes stick around because they earn their place. This King Ranch chicken casserole recipe does exactly that. It’s dependable, comforting, and always satisfying. It doesn’t need updating or tweaking to keep people happy.
If you’re looking for a creamy, cheesy, classic casserole that feeds a crowd and feels like home, this is it. Once you make it, you’ll understand why it’s been loved for generations.
