Description
King Ranch Chicken is a classic Tex-Mex casserole with layers of shredded chicken, creamy soup sauce, tortillas, and melted cheddar cheese. Spiced with chili, cumin, and cayenne, this dish is hearty, comforting, and perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup chicken stock, divided
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Sauté diced onion and red bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Stir in cream of chicken soup and 1/2 cup of chicken stock. Add chili powder, cumin, black pepper, cayenne, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Add shredded chicken to the sauce and stir to coat evenly. Remove from heat.
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the chicken mixture. Layer 3 corn tortillas over the mixture. Add another layer of chicken mixture, then sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with cheese on top.
- Pour remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock over the top for extra moisture.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or more cayenne pepper.
- Leftover King Ranch Chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Substitute corn tortillas with flour tortillas if preferred.
- Top with fresh cilantro or sliced green onions before serving for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: king ranch chicken, chicken casserole, tex mex chicken bake, layered chicken tortillas, creamy chicken casserole