Description
King ranch chicken brings together Texan comfort food with creamy, zesty layers of tortillas, chicken, and cheese. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a soul-satisfying southwestern casserole you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
- 12 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
- 2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 10 ounces (283 grams) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
Creamy Components:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 ounces/298 grams) cream of chicken soup
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté diced onions in olive oil over medium heat until translucent and softened, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce garlic powder, chili powder, and cumin to the skillet, stirring briefly to release their aromatic qualities.
- Combine diced tomatoes with green chilies, sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of chicken soup into a smooth, uniform mixture. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and create the first foundational layer using torn tortilla pieces, covering the bottom completely.
- Distribute half of the shredded chicken evenly across the tortilla layer, ensuring consistent coverage.
- Pour half of the prepared sauce mixture over the chicken, allowing it to seep between the ingredients.
- Sprinkle the first layer of cheese generously across the sauce, creating a melty barrier.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining tortillas, chicken, sauce, and cheese to build a robust casserole.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving, which helps the layers settle and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting chili powder for mild or extra-hot preferences, ensuring everyone can enjoy this comfort dish.
- Swap traditional tortillas with low-carb alternatives like cauliflower or zucchini wraps for a gluten-free or keto-friendly version.
- Consider using rotisserie chicken for a time-saving hack that adds extra flavor and reduces kitchen prep time.
- Elevate leftovers by adding fresh cilantro, diced avocado, or a dollop of Greek yogurt on top for enhanced texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg